Most Popular Books by Joseph Bruchac

“There''s a fresh coating of snow on the ground outside our cabin as I look to see who''s coming to the fourteen feeders, we keep filled with black oil sunflower seeds year-round.” So begins A Year of Moons: Stories from the Adirondack Foothills, a collection of essays by award winning author Joeseph Bruchac. The collection is a reflection on the rhythms of the land, the lunar cycles of the year, the plants and animals that surround us, and the connections that link humans, animals and the land. With one foot rooted firmly in the inheritance of nature essays, and another rooted firmly in Bruchac''s Abenaki heritage, the collection is an artifact of a beautiful landscape and the changes it encounters throughout the year. In his thoughtful and perceptive way, Bruchac contemplates the changing of the seasons, his relationship with the creatures and plant life that share his home, and a vision of stewardship. Bruchac''s curiosity and reverence for the earth shines through on every page as he looks at the place he calls home with new eyes, reflected by the changing of each season''s moon.

When Beaver challenges Turtle to a swimming race for ownership of the pond, Turtle outsmarts Beaver, and Beaver learns to share.

"A thoughtful collection that eloquently bears out the theme of unity of all creatures." —School Library Journal Native American elders will tell you there is as much to see in the night as in the familiar light of day, and here Abenaki storyteller and American Book Award recipient Joseph Bruchac offers twelve unforgettable stories of the living earth seen from the sky. "From the Mohawk and Missisquoi peoples of the Northeastern United States to the Pima, Cochiti Pueblo, and Navajo people of the Southwest to the Subarctic Inuit, these pieces reflect an awe and appreciation of the natural world. Locker''s deeply hued paintings burst with the beauty of night." —The Horn Book

Through the guidance of his uncle and the retelling of various Native American legends, a young boy learns that everything living and inanimate has its place, should be considered sacred, and given respect.

Bruchac''s memoir explains how he came to fully claim his Abenaki Indian heritage despite his grandparents'' unspoken pact to never discuss his Grampa''s Indian blood.

Every monster can be overcome if you know the right way to go about it. Maddy has always loved scary stories, especially the spooky legends of her Native American ancestors. But that was before she heard about the Whisperer in the Dark, the most frightening legend of all. Now there''s an icy voice at the other end of the phone and a chilling message left on Maddy''s door. Suddenly this ancient tale is becoming just a bit too real. Once, twice, three times he''s called out to her. Where will she be when he finally calls her name?

"Unusual and intelligent...An exemplary introduction to Native American culture with its emphasis on the importance of nature." —Publishers Weekly In Native American legend, the thirteen scales on Old Turtle''s back hold the key to the thirteen cycles of the moon and the changing seasons. These lyrical poems and striking paintings celebrate the wonder of the seasons, from the Northern Cheyenne''s Moon of the Popping Trees to the Big Moon of the Abenaki. "This book instills a spiritual respect for our land and an appreciation for the people who were its first caring guardians." —American Bookseller A Notable Children''s Trade Book in the Language Arts An IRA Teacher''s Choice Book A Notable Children''s Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies

In Of All Tribes, Abenaki children’s book icon Joseph Bruchac tells the stirring history of the 1969 occupation of Alcatraz by Native Americans, which established a precedent for Indian activism. “Alcatraz is not an island. It’s an idea.” —activist Richard Oakes (Akwesasne Mohawk) On the night of November 20, 1969—the end of one of the most tumultuous decades in American history—eighty-nine young Native American activists crossed the San Francisco Bay under cover of darkness, calling themselves the “Indians of All Tribes.” Their objective? To claim the former prison island of Alcatraz, basing their actions on an 1868 treaty that said abandoned federal land could be returned to Indigenous peoples. Taking a stand on an island reclaimed as “Indian Land,” these peaceful protestors brought worldwide attention to the issues facing present-day Native Americans, as well as the centuries of unjust federal Indian policy. From award-winning Abenaki author Joseph Bruchac, Of All Tribes is the riveting story of the occupation that ignited the modern American Indian Movement and inspired activists everywhere.

A collection of Native American tales about giants, monsters, and spirits

A biography of Native American athlete Jim Thorpe, focusing on how his boyhood education set the stage for his athletic achievements which gained him international fame and Olympic gold medals. Author''s note details Thorpe''s life after college.

Using stories to show the importance of wildlife in Native American traditions, this book gives parents and teachers an exciting way to teach children about animals.

A collection of Native American nature stories which focus on the importance of plants.

Our Stories Remember retells Native American stories.

"Promise to remember me!" was all the beautiful woman had ever said to the hunter. She had appeared from nowhere one day, when he had been lonely during the long winter hunting trip. Isolated in the vast wilderness of the northeast, he would only return to his village in the spring. Except that this year he would not be alone, because she had appeared. The hunter had quickly fallen in love with the mysterious woman, and together they had become their own little family. But when spring arrived and it was time to return to the village, she disappeared just as suddenly as she had arrived. Would he ever see his love again? The hunter didn’t know, but he was sure he would keep his promise and never forget her. That is, until one day the chief’s daughter cast a spell on him! World-renowned storyteller Joseph Bruchac retells this traditional story of love, loyalty, trust, and magic, which can be found in various forms among many of the indigenous nations of the northeast, both Iroquoian and Algonquin. Join him and award-winning illustrator Bill Farnsworth, as they recount this ancient and unique Abenaki tale of keeping a promise to one’s family and of the proper relationship of humans to the natural world.

A chilling middle grade novel featuring a brave young girl, missing parents, and a terrifying stranger, based on a Native American legend. R.L. Stine, New York Times bestselling author of the Goosebumps series, raved, "This book gave ME nightmares!” Molly’s father, who grew up on the Mohawk Reserve of Akwesasne, always had the best scary stories. One of her favorites was the legend of Skeleton Man, a gruesome tale about a man with such insatiable hunger he ate his own flesh before devouring those around him. But ever since her parents mysteriously vanished, those spooky tales have started to feel all too real. Don''t miss The Legend of Skeleton Man: a spine-tingling collection of Skeleton Man and its sequel, The Return of Skeleton Man!

About ten thousand years ago in the northeast, the Abenaki– People of the Dawn Land – created a thriving community in social and ecological balance with nature and with each other. One of the finest sons of the People is Young Hunter, who dedicates himself to becoming a pure hunter. But a shadow is crossing over this place, threatening his beloved homeland, and Young Hunter is called to its defense. The deep-seeing one of his village, Bear Talker, tells him that the change will be brought by beings of great power, with cold hearts and a terrible hunger, and Young Hunter has been chosen to fight them. "This young one will do things for the people," Bear Talker thought. "If he survives...if he survives." Not knowing what the threat is, Young Hunter embarks, with his faithful dogs, on a journey that will take him to new lands and test his resolve in unforeseen ways. Given a special weapon called the Long Thrower, he must learn the secret of its power by studying with the deep seer Medicine Plant. A woman apart, she is a fine example of the importance of women in Native society. More than an action-packed saga of a dangerous journey, Dawn Land is a dramatic illumination of the highly developed value system of these pre-contact native people. Its unforgettable story enriches the reader with a greater understanding of the lifeways of native peoples, lifeways that survive to this day because they are built on maintaining balance and harmony with nature.

The exciting sequel to Dawn Land in which the story of Young Hunter continues.

Fiction. Native American Studies. This is a compilation of Native American stories from the Abenaki tribe retold by Joseph Bruchac. In this book he captures the mysticism and adventure that these previous oral stories had. The illustrations by Kahionhes brilliantly depict some scenes in the stories and add to the experience of reading the book. Joseph Bruchac lives with his wife, Carol, in the Adirondack foothills town of Greenfield Center, New York in the same house he was raised by his grandparents. Much of his writing draws on that region of his Abenki ancestry. Kahionhes, or John Fadden, is an artist, art teacher, and the illustrator of more than twenty books dealing with Native Americans. He lives with his wife, Eva Thompson Fadden, and their three sons in the Adirondacks.

The Parabola Storytime series is a collection of stories and myths by the leading storytellers of Native American tribes. Originally produced by "Parabola" magazine in audio format, many of these stories appear here in written form for the first time, with the permission of tribal elders, and are enhanced by artwork authentic to the tradition. These stories evoke the beauty, wisdom, and living spirit of surviving oral traditions. In these six Iroquois tales, animals showcase the best of human emotions and spirit. Buzzard flies to the Creator to bring back clothes for all the birds. Tiny Chipmunk takes on massive and powerful Bear in a challenge to determine whether or not the sun will keep rising. In the title story, a young boy has lost his human family and finds love in the home of the Bears. Wise and foolish, cowardly and brave animals teach humans how to live better lives, while providing entertainment. This replaces 006021287X.

With a bang—or rather, a barrage—Jacob Neptune finds his remote cabin in the Adirondacks besieged by a gun-toting gang of murderous bikers. With the help of his supersized sidekick Dennis, the hard-headed, wise-cracking Abenaki private detective traces the source of his troubles to a former adversary who is now running an Indian casino. In short order, the friends are drawn into a dangerous mystery that will call upon all of Jake’s skills as a martial arts expert, former special forces soldier, and—in the Abenaki tradition—a metoulin, one who can see beneath the surface of things through dreams and visions. Their investigation takes them to the Pacific Northwest, dead center in a vicious game involving tribal intrigue, a crooked casino, Chinese billions, a captive killer whale—and a series of murders and disappearances that may be linked to the monster known by Jake’s people as Padoskoks, the giant underwater serpent. Like Chenoo, the first in the Jacob Neptune series, Padoskoks has an explosive start and keeps gathering speed, giving readers a glimpse of the ancient wisdom and Native customs swirling just under the surface as the action-packed plot barrels toward its natural, if startling, conclusion.

The Native Stories from Keepers of the Earth is a collection of stories drawn from the oral tradition of Indian groups in the United States and Canada. Tribes include Inuit, Micmac, Maliseet, Mohawk, Zuni, and Hopi. A common thread through these stories is a view of the world as family--earth as our mother, sun as our father, and the animals as our brothers and sisters. The stories foster an ethic of stewardship by clearly showing that we are entrusted with the responsibility to maintain the natural balance, to take care of our mother, to be keepers of the earth. Each story is beautifully illustrated by Mokawk artist John Kahionhes Fadden. Included is a glossary of words from native languages and a description of the tribal nations. These twenty-four stories from the bestselling Keepers of the Earth will appeal to readers of all ages.

Recognizing the widespread American Indian belief that you can learn while you play and play while you learn, "Native American Games and Stories" provides young readers with stories and games that educate and entertain them. Illustrations.

Praised as a “perfect book to gobble up in a single, sweaty sitting” by Booklist, this chilling middle grade novel from acclaimed author Joseph Bruchac is infused with suspense and heart-stopping action. Give it to fans of R. L. Stine’s Goosebumps series and readers anxious for well-crafted horror! Night Wings follows a Native American boy named Paul who is forced to journey up a treacherous mountain and must come face-to-face with something even more terrifying and deadly than his surroundings. Paul has always believed in the power of dreams. He knows that they are often warnings. Warnings that should be taken very seriously. Now his nightmare visions of a fearsome winged creature are becoming all too real. And though Paul has always depended on the wisdom of his Abenaki ancestors’ stories to guide him, no monster tale will prepare him for the horror he is about to encounter. All alone. At the top of one of the most dangerous mountains in the world.

A collection of poems by award-winning storyteller and author Joseph Bruchac.

THESE STORIES FIRST APPEARED IN "KEEPERS OF THE ANIMALS".

Rabbit’s Snow Dance Master storytellers Joseph and James Bruchac present a hip and funny take on an Iroquois folktale about the importance of patience, the seasons, and listening to your friends. Pair it with other stories about stubborn animals like Karma Wilson’s Bear Wants More and Verna Aardema’s Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People''s Ears. Rabbit loves the winter. He knows a dance, using an Iroquois drum and song, to make it snow—even in summertime! When rabbit decides that it should snow early, he starts his dance and the snow begins to fall. The other forest animals are not happy and ask him to stop, but Rabbit doesn’t listen. How much snow is too much, and will Rabbit know when to stop? The father-son duo behind How Chipmunk Got His Stripes, Raccoon’s Last Race, and Turtle’s Race with Beaver present their latest retelling of Native American folklore. “The telling is sprightly, and Newman''s ink-and-watercolor artwork makes an ideal companion. An appealing addition to folktale shelves.” —Booklist “This modern retelling maintains [the Bruchacs’] solid reputation for keeping Native American tales fresh.” —School Library Journal “The picturesque language makes it a pleasure to read aloud.”—BCCB

This anthology of short, autobiographical stories has kids'' book authors telling tales of their own real-life athletic incidents. Some are funny, some are serious, and some put their own twist on the whole "sports" concept. Eight stories from both "boys" and "girls" include tales of dodgeball, wrestling, track, softball, and even ballet-as-a-sport. Kids will relate to the struggling non-jocks as well as the athletes who take the trophy home.

A collection of Native American stories of girls becoming women. These are stories from a broad array of tribes and tradtions.

In this sequel to the middle grade modern horror classic Skeleton Man, Joseph Bruchac revisits his most terrifying villain yet. "Will surely keep readers turning pages," proclaimed Publishers Weekly. Molly thought she’d put her traumatic past behind her when she escaped from Skeleton Man last year. She rescued her parents and tried to get her life back to normal. She thought her family would finally be able to live happily ever after. She thought wrong. Skeleton Man is back for revenge—but this time Molly is ready. Don''t miss The Legend of Skeleton Man: a spine-tingling collection of The Return of Skeleton Man and the original Skeleton Man story!

Through poems that capture the essence of each person''s life, acclaimed Native American writer Joseph Bruchac introduces readers to famous indigenous leaders from The Peacemaker in 1000 A.D. to modern day dancer Maria Tallchief and Cherokee chief Wilma Mankiller. Each poem is illustrated by a modern-day tribally enrolled artist.

Critically acclaimed author Joseph Bruchac''s exciting JOURNAL OF JESSE SMOKE is now in paperback with a dynamic repackaging! In 1838 in Tennessee, the Cherokee Nation is on the brink of being changed forever as they face the Removal -- being forcibly moved from their homes and land, in part because of a treaty signed by a group of their own people. Sixteen-year-old Jesse Smoke has been studying at the Mission School, but it has been shut down and turned into a fort for the ever-increasing number of soldiers entering the territory. Now Jesse has returned to his home to live with his widowed mother and two younger sisters. All hope lies on the Cherokee chief, John Ross, who is in Washington, D.C., trying to delay the Removal. Then one night, family members are suddenly awakened, dragged from their homes, and brought at gunpoint to a stockade camp. From there, Jesse and his family are forced to march westward on the horrifying Trail of Tears during the long, cold winter months. It''s a difficult journey west, and Jesse''s not sure if he and his family can survive the journey.

The Sports Pages, the third volume in Jon Scieszka''s Guys Read Library of Great Reading, features ten short stories guaranteed to put you in the ring, under the basket, and right behind home plate. From fiction to nonfiction, from baseball to mixed martial arts and everything in between, these are a collection of stories about the rush of victory and the crush of defeat on and off the field. Authors include Dustin Brown, James Brown, Joseph Bruchac, Chris Crutcher, Tim Green, Dan Gutman, Gordon Korman, Chris Rylander, Anne Ursu, and Jacqueline Woodson, with illustrations by Dan Santat.

A chorus of essays from a variety of voices, backgrounds, and experiences, exploring what it means to be human and true to yourself. What does it mean to be yourself? To be born here or somewhere else? To be from one family instead of another? What does it mean to be human? Collected by Lori Carlson-Hijuelos, A Path to the World showcases essays by a vast variety of luminaries—from Gary Soto to Nawal Nasrallah to Ying Ying Yu, from chefs to artists to teens to philosophers to politicians (keep your eyes peeled for a surprise appearance by George Washington)—all of which speak to the common thread of humanity, the desire to be your truest self, and to belong. Contributors include: Lori Marie Carlson-Hijuelos, Joseph Bruchac, Jacinto Jesús Cardona, William Sloane Coffin, Pat Conroy, Mario Cuomo, Timothy Egan, Alan Ehrenhalt, Shadi Feddin, Ralph Fletcher, Valerie Gribben, Alexandre Hollan, Molly Ivins, Geeta Kothari, Jeremy Lee, Yuyi Li, Emily Lisker, Kamaal Majeed, Madge McKeithen, Nawal Nasrallah, Scott Pitoniak, Anna Quindlen, Michael J. Sandel, Raquel Sentíes, David E. Skaggs, Gary Soto, Alexandra Stoddard, KellyNoel Waldorf, George Washington, and Ying Ying Yu.

Among the towering fir trees of the Pacific Northwest, a famously elusive creature is in serious trouble. INCLUDES AN EXCLUSIVE BONUS STORY about the medieval Secret Order of the Unicorn! All Elliot wants is a nice, normal day at school. All Uchenna wants is an adventure. Guess whose wish comes true? Professor Fauna whisks the kids—and Jersey, of course—off to the Muckleshoot territory in Washington, where film crews have suddenly descended en masse to expose Bigfoot to the world, and the Schmoke logging company is bringing in some awfully large machinery. Can the Unicorn Rescue Society escape the blades of the Schmokes’ chain saws? Outsmart a cable news team? And are those big, hairy creatures running through the forest really Bigfoot?

The League of the Iroquois was a true representational democracy—so much so that the United States Constitution is said to have been modeled on some of its tenets. But how, perhaps a thousand years before the time of Columbus, did the Five Iroquois Nations (the Mohawk, Onondaga, Oneida, Cayuga, and Seneca) come to end the bitter eye-for-eye warfare among them? What brought them together in an alliance based on the Great Law of Peace? And how was it that a system of Clan Mothers was instituted in which women are seen as the center of the nation and still today choose the 50 royaners, or peace chiefs, who speak for their respective communities in meetings of the League? In A Peacemaker for Warring Nations, renowned Native author Joseph Bruchac draws from the teachings of both contemporary and past Iroquois tradition bearersin telling the inspiring story of how “the Peacemaker,” a divine messenger sent by the Creator, helped to bring reconciliation to warring nations. The book is beautifully and accurately illustrated by David Kanietakeron Fadden, a respected Mohawk artist whose work honors his deep indigenous roots.

A noted teller of the traditional tales of the Adirondacks and of Native peoples everywhere, Joseph Bruchac has performed throughout the world. That gift for narrative informs this revealing autobiography.

"This production offers an engaging, original way for children to learn about a Native American hero. Renowned Abenaki author Bruchac has selected interesting facts that reveal how a young boy is transformed into brave Crazy Horse. ..." AudioFile Magazine

Kii Yazhi''s whole life changes when he is sent to a church school and taught to be ashamed of his Navajo culture. But many years later, when the U.S. Marines need him for a special mission during W.W. II., will he forget the past and help the United Stat

Native American stores combine with related hands-on activities to inspire children with a deep respect and interest in the Earth and in Native cultures in this popular and critically acclaimed book. Keepers of the Earth uses an interdisciplinary approach to introduce environmental concepts to children, aged five through twelve. The activities include theatre, reading, writing, science, social studies, and mathematics, and are designed to engage all of the senses.