Bear Dancer: The Story of a Ute Girl

This short novel is an excellent introduction to the destruction of flourishing Native American cultures. It is written for ages 9 and up but I recommend it for 11, 12 and up. The subject matter, although not treated graphically, is best for a maturing child. It would still be appropriate in early high school and may provoke fruitful discussions. Elk Tooth Dress is a young Tabeguache Ute woman coming of age in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado when she is captured by Cheyenne warriors. A long two years of miserable captivity follow in which she is taken by the Arapaho and finally the feared white man. When she finally returns to her people they are beaten down by poverty and smallpox. All the neighboring tribes are "in the same canoe", so to speak, because the white settlers and their treaties are now the norm. Elk Tooth Dress becomes a liason between different factions due to her unique experience.

I love my aunt Thelma and her books!

Elk Girl, later a pivotal figure in the Meeker bloodbath, tells her story of kidnap, exile, despair, courage and return in a fully engaging "biography" appropriate for ages 9-14. Reading level is about 4th grade, with large print, 175 pages goes quickly. Biography of Native woman who deserves wider readership.