Description
Crazy Horse's Vision is a children's picture book by Abenaki writer and storyteller Joseph Bruchac. This story is a fictionalized biography about the childhood and coming of age of the noted Lakota Sioux leader and warrior. Crazy Horse was born in the fall of 1841 or 1842. During his childhood his parents and others in the Lakota village noticed that he was quiet and thoughtful, displaying leadership qualities. The boy did not always carry the name, Crazy Horse. At birth, his mother called the child Curly in recognition of his curly hair. As he grew, Curly learned to live in the traditional manner of the Lakota people, whose territory included the Black Hills of the Great Plains. Curly tamed a wild horse, went on his first buffalo hunt, and played with his friends. But his life underwent significant change when white settlers began moving into Lakota homelands. Even though there was a military presence to keep the peace, the US army took the side of a settler whose cow had wandered into the Lakota camp. In spite of an offer from the Lakota, the army opened fire on Lakota men, women, and children. Curly was distressed by this turn of events. He decided that he must begin a vision quest. Usually a boy went through the vision quest with the assistance of the Elders. But Curly was determined that he must find a way to help his people through the quest. After fasting for three days, a vision came to the boy. In his dream he saw a young man riding his pony amidst a violent storm. Many other Lakota men rode with the horse and rider. When Curly revealed the dream to his father, the older man knew that the rider was his son. In recognition of this dream, Curly was given his father's name, Tashunka Witco (Crazy Horse). The story ends at this point, but author and illustrator have provided end notes about the life of Crazy Hose and an explanation of the illustrations. Artist S. D. Nelson is Lakota illustrator who uses the Plains ledger book style in the wonderful drawings throughout the text. He explains the significance of colours to the Lakota. Throughout the story, Crazy Hose is shown in a blue colour that symbolizes his connection to the spirit world. This is an excellent introduction to an important Lakota leader who eventually fought against General Custer at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. DRA: 38; Guided Reading Level: P; AR Level: 4.0; Lexile Measure: 420.