Only the Names Remain: The Cherokees and the Trail of Tears

This book is about a 4th or 5th grade reading level but has a sophistication little seen in children's historical works or nonfiction. It tells the story of the Cherokee and provides a great background for the troubles of Native Americans in general. The book shows a lot of respect for the reader and provides insight into American History. The history is not oversimplified but is not incomprehensible for readers of many ages including 4th or 5th graders. Amazing book and I wish there were more like it.

The information given in this book was interesting and more detailed than I had known before. My only regret was that it was over too soon. I wanted to keep reading and learn more. It was a shameful event in our history. The more detailed an event is described the more real and lasting it is in our memories; real enough to not let it happen again in any culture.

This is a terrific history of the GA Cherokee Indians. I use it in my lower elementary class. It seems to strike just the right chord with the 6,7,8 year olds.

This is a worthy introduction to the Trail of Tears. For students aged 12 and older, a more compelling book is Walking the Trail, One Man's Journey Along the Cherokee Trail of Tears by Cherokee author Jerry Ellis. He was the first person in modern history to walk the 900 mile route and the book, nominated for a Pulitzer and National Book Award, has been in print for 15 years. The author lectures around the globe on the Trail, having presented in Asia, Africa, Europe and throughout the US.

I fully agree with Shannon, this book is a must for anyone wanting to see what was done to Native Americans in the South at the hands of whites and especially Andrew Jackson's policy of destruction of our people. We are trying to trace the family ancestry of a child (my great great grandmother) who was taken from a Trail of Tears family and "adopted" by a white preacher. She may have been saved from the Trail of Tears but not from the dispicable way in which she was treated during her lifetime subsequently. Shannon, I hope you email me!