The Legend of Minnesota

by Kathy-jo Wargin, David Geister (Illustrator)

The definition of the word "Minnesota" is known to most as the Dakotah word for "sky-tinted waters." However, in her research about the origin of the state's name, acclaimed author and native Minnesotan Kathy-jo Wargin uncovered a little-known, but age-old, Ojibwe tale. The Legend of Minnesota tells the story of an enduring friendship between an Ojibwe girl and a Dakotah boy, and how their kindness toward one another gives the beautiful land of Minnesota its name.Author Kathy-jo Wargin has won acclaim for many of her children's titles -- including the bestselling Legend of Sleeping Bear and The Legend of the Lady's Slipper. Kathy-jo lives with her family in Petoskey, Michigan. David Geister specializes in historic art, has a background in commercial art, and frequently works on commission for an ever-growing number of private collectors. This is his first children's book. David lives with his family in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Genres: Picture Books, Historical Fiction, Native American

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Kathy-jo Wargin is the bestselling author of more than fifty books for adults and children. With more than 1.2 million copies sold, she writes across genres and age-groups, and has earned national recognition for award–winning titles such as Michigan’s Official State Children’s Book The Legend of Sleeping Bear, the International Reading Association’s Children's Choice Award Winner The Legend of the Loon, the Bank Street College of Education Best Book Listee The Voyageur’s Paddle, the IRA Teacher's Choice Award Winner Win One for the Gipper, and many more.

Reviews

[Erik Akre · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a charming history of "how Minnesota got its name," this is a keeper. As for the story itself, and the illustrations, I found it just simply good, not excellent. It's the story of an Ojibwe girl, and her strength in dealing with adversity and conflict. It is indeed a "strong young woman" story, and a story of forbidden romance, and it holds value in these elements. It is decently written, and it can be enjoyed by the young as it is read to them. I have little more to say about it.

I do think Minnesotan children should have a chance to hear and view the story as yet another reminder of what America owes to the Native people, for what it has and enjoys in its contemporary culture. As North American history, it is indeed valuable.

[Paige Tomlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Legend of Minnesota is a great book for learning how the land west of Lake Superior came to be known as "Mahnusatia" or otherwise known as Minnesota. It teaches readers about an Ojibwe girl that travels to the gray mountain to light a fire of honor for a departed loved one. As she ventures through the woods on her journey, she comes across a Dakotah boy that appears to be very ill. She spent many days with him until he became stronger, and they became very good friends. She used a root of balsam poplar to make a healing balm, that was also later used to heal her tribe when the same sickness fell upon her village. The sick cried out "Mahnusatia", because that was the name of the balsam popular. After everyone was healed they renamed the girl "Mahnusatia" as a sign of respect. As years passed and the tribe moved their camp, every time they passed the land they would call out "Mahnusatia" and it later became the land of Minnesota. This would be a great book for students to learn about different tribes and traditions. Student's will learn about Ojibwe and Dakotah tribes and how they inspired the land they live in. In the classroom I could incorporate comparing and contrasting today's Minnesota to "Mahnusatia".

[Miss Ryoko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ah, I'm glad this book exists simply for the fact that Minnesota is actually an Ojibwe word, not a Dakota word :-p Yes, I am that picky.

This was a neat book, well written per usual, Miss Kathy-jo (who is from a small town close to my small hometown... so that's neat). This is one of my favorite things about native lore is these wonderful stories about how things came to be. They are fascinating and inspiring.

[Barbara Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book! The story is wonderful and the David Geister's illustrations are, too.

[Nicole Scheu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: This is a story of how Minnesota got its name. The legend has it that a Dakotah boy and Ojibwe girl meet and formed a friendship that their tribes were not happy about. The girl helps the sick boy by describing a medicine she can make to cure him. Unfortunately, they cannot stay friends. The girls tribe becomes sick and she remembers the medicine to help her tribe. They call out to her, "Mah-nu-sa-tia" which becomes Minnesota, the land where they show respect for her.

Characteristics of the genre: This book is a multicultural historical fiction depicting the time period where the Dakota and Ojibwe were settling in parts of Minnesota. The Indian tribes had different perspectives on how to rule the land.

Mentor writing traits:
Voice-The voice of the tribe, boy, and girl are emotionally charged in dealing with the situation. Passions were strong on both sides.
Word Choice-The other uses explicit word choice to describe the land and water. Many adjectives are used to portray the scenes in the story.
Presentation-The illustrations match the words in the story and create an imagery of beautiful scenery. Shadows are cast and facial expressions are depicted in the feelings of the people.

Integration into the classroom: This a great story to read for a social studies lesson on the Native American tribes. You could do a compare and contrast about the two Native American tribes.

Other suggestions: You could use this lesson to show geographic regions of the tribes as well. In your lesson, you could talk about the habitat and the resources available in the area.

[Anna]

1. SUMMARY – to A young Ojibwe girl accepts a dangerous mission to a sacred place in order to honor late loved ones. This journey gets complicated when she befriends a young Dakotah brave. Although they are from warring tribes, she helps him and in return learns a powerful secret that will change the future of her people.
2. GENRE – This is an example of traditional fiction and multicultural fiction. It describes the origin of the name Minnesota. This origin story is based on an Ojibwe legend.
3. LITERARY CONCEPTS – rhyme, rhythm, consonance, assonance, alliteration, figurative language, sensory details, characterization, plot, setting, foreshadow
4. TRAITS – Word Choice
5. OTHER CONTENT – geography
6. Interest level – 2nd - 5th

[Esther Moss]

The Legend of Minnesota
Reading level: 5.3 (graded)
Interest level: 2nd, 3rd, 4th

Genre: Historical fiction - the book has elements of real Minnesota history and talks about people who actually took part in our state's history but creates fictional situations

Summary: This book tells the story of how a conflict between two indigenous nations in what is now know as Minnesota caused the state to get its name.

Mentor trait: presentation - the pictures in the book are beautiful and could inspire students to draw their own detailed illustrations

Integration: I would read this to students as part of a social studies lesson on the history of Minnesota.

[Randy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amidst the Dakotah-Ojibwe conflict, a girl's act of kindness results in her being ostracized. Yet her mercy results in knowledge that saves her people, who rename her the legendary Mah-nu-sa-tia, or Minnesota. Great illustrations and story that, for adults who know the full history, hints at the wider conflicts facing Native-Americans during the 1800s (disease, mineral discoveries, and tribal conflict caused by pressure from European immigrants). A quick picture book read for any adult or child interested in Minnesota's early history.

[Jina Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is right book to introduce about the background Midwestern history. As a foreign student, this book tells me to know certain way about MINNESOTA. I think it would be great in history class and let them kids know the specific tribe's name. I like the illustration and well written story!

[amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a pretty book to read---great illustrations.

[Angela9600 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was reminded through these two Indian tales that Indian stories are always sad. Very rarely is it a fully happy ending.