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Red Bird Sings: The Story of Zitkala-Sa, Native American Author, Musician, and Activist

"I remember the day I lost my spirit." So begins the story of Gertrude Simmons, also known as Zitkala-Sa, which means Red Bird. Born in 1876 on the Yankton Sioux reservation in South Dakota, Zitkala-Sa willingly left her home at age eight to go to a boarding school in Indiana. But she soon found herself caught between two worlds--white and Native American.

At school she missed her mother and her traditional life, but Zitkala-Sa found joy in music classes. "My wounded spirit soared like a bird as I practiced the piano and violin," she wrote. Her talent grew, and when she graduated, she became a music teacher, composer, and performer.

For more stories starring Native American Mighty Girls, visit our Native American & Aboriginal book section.

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Description

Zitkala-Sa found she could "sing" to help her people by writing stories and giving speeches. As an adult, she worked as an activist for Native American rights, seeking to build a bridge between cultures.

The coauthors have told about Zitkala-Sa's life by weaving together pieces from her own stories. The artist's acrylic illustrations and collages of photos and primary source documents round out the vivid portrait of Zitkala-Sa, a frightened child whose spirit "would rise again, stronger and wiser for the wounds it had suffered."

"Capaldi's understated illustrations integrate solid colors and doll-like characterizations with reproductions of period materials, while appended information on Sitkala-Sa rounds out this fascinating portrait." - Publishers Weekly

Product Details

Recommended Age 7 - 10
Author Q. L. Pearce, Gina Capaldi
Illustrator Gina Capaldi
ISBN 1541578368
Publication Date Oct 1, 2011
Publisher Millbrook Pr Trade
Language English