The Star People: A Lakota Story

by S.D. Nelson

Book Overview

A grandmother's love is forever in Star People, a picture book about remembrance and tradition from S. D. Nelson, award-winning author and member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe.

"A young Lakota Indian girl narrates the story of how she and her little brother, Young Wolf, survive a prairie fire." --School Library Journal

"A stirring, original story based on Lakota legend . . . The swirling images of the celestial dance beautifully reflect the story's celebration and awe of the natural world." --Booklist

Sister Girl and her brother, Young Wolf, wander away from their village and soon find themselves far out in the surrounding prairie. They sit down in the grass and watch the clouds passing above billow to form an eagle, horses, and other creatures.

We sat in the dry, sweet-smelling grass, watching the clouds drift overhead. Young Wolf pointed and said, "Sister Girl, that cloud looks like a buffalo's head " We both laughed with amazement. "There's an eagle," I cried

Suddenly, animals begin to race past the children on the ground--followed by a wall of fire Fleeing along with the frightened beasts, Sister Girl and Young Wolf save themselves by tumbling into a shallow stream. The fire leaves behind ash and a barren, forbidding landscape. The children realize that they are hopelessly lost. Night is coming--how will they get home to their parents? And why are the evening stars dancing so?

Drawing upon traditional Lakota ledger book art, S. D. Nelson's illustrations bring to life a memorable new legend about the Star People.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0810945843
• ISBN13: 9780810945845
• Release Date: September 2003
• Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers
• Length: 40 Pages
• Weight: 1.08 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 9.4" x 10.6"
• Age Range: 1 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Based on Lakota legend

Parent's Choice award-winning author S. D. Nelson (who is also a member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe in the Dakotas), presents The Star People: A Lakota Story. Based on Lakota legend, The Star People tells of a brother and a sister who become lost, and must find their way home, with guidance from the heavens themselves. Nelson's warm, multicolored illustrations bring this fantastic picturebook work of Native American folklore to life.

The Star People: A Lakota Story

The Star People is a touching children's book about a Native American brother and sister growing up on the Great Plains. This story contains many important lessons including familial love, appreciation for the beauty of the earth, and the importance of all living creatures. The illustrations are colorful, unique and vibrant. They capture the essence of the main characters, Sister Girl and Young wolf, and their wild surroundings. This is truly a heart warming book that will leave both adult and children readers feeling the magic of the stars, plants, and animals that surround us all.

Mother Earth and Father Sky.

S.D. Nelson shares the wonder of the prairie and the Native American peoples. The importance of family is the heart of this story. The grandmother guides her grandchildren home when they are lost. The children learn that they are part of their family, the earth and the sky. The art work is outstanding and I look forward to more books by S.D. Nelson. Gift Horse is another of his excellent books.

Best Book for a Child

This book is so wonderful. The Pictures are fabulous and colorful, the story line is interesting, and kids really like this book! This book is also known for winning the parent choice award! How could you lose with a book like this? I highly reccomend it.