    | Sea-ringed world : sacred stories of the Americas Author: Esperon, Maria Garcia | |
| Price: $25.88 | ||
Summary:
Fifteen thousand years before Europeans stepped foot in the Americas, people had already spread from tip to tip and coast to coast. Like all humans, these Native Americans sought to understand their place in the universe, the nature of their relationship with the divine, and the origin of the world into which their ancestors had emerged. The answers lay in their sacred stories which are part of this collection from the edge of Argentina all the way up to Alaska.
| Illustrator: | Mijangos, Amanda |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (+) (01/15/21)
School Library Journal (+) (00/05/21)
Booklist (+) (01/01/21)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 01/01/2021 *Starred Review* From the Inuit in Canada and the Hopi in the U.S. to the Maya across Central America and the Sel’nam (or Ona) at the tip of Argentina, Native peoples in the Americas have told traditional stories for thousands of years. In this Mexican import, Esperón retells sacred stories from 18 Native cultures, making them accessible to middle-grade and adult readers alike. Complemented by stylized artwork that combines Native motifs with looser, modern lines, in black, white, and a deep ocean blue, the short stories reflect a wonder and understanding of the natural world and the human spirit. Some speak of creation, like the Niitsitapi (or Blackfoot) story in which six poor brothers go to live in the sky, becoming the constellation known today as the Pleiades. Others describe the complexities of love, such as the Guarani tale in which a girl transforms into a flower to avoid a loveless marriage, and her forbidden lover becomes a hummingbird, always flitting from bloom to bloom in search of her. Dark tales also abound, like the Maya story in which two brothers who love to play ball are invited to a game in the underworld. Copious back matter includes a pronunciation guide, a map and guide of the cultures, and a lengthy glossary. A rich anthology to understand and delight in Native traditions. - Copyright 2021 Booklist.
School Library Journal - 05/01/2021 Gr 5 Up—This text features sacred stories that have been passed down within and by Indigenous cultures of the Americas for thousands of years. Each of these mesmerizing stories pulls readers in, leaving them wishing they could remain within these worlds much longer. Tales provide lessons humans should heed and stories about how things came to be, such as the stars, the sun, and the moon. Some stories, such as "Hummingbird" from the Guarani tradition, tell of tragedies and love; others, such as "Kukulkan" from the Yucatec and K'iche' tradition and "Land of Fire" from the Selk'nam tradition tell of how some things came to be and about the gods' interactions with one another. Stories pass on messages of hope and resilience, but also provide events filled with sadness and tragedy. The vibrant blue, black, and white palette used in the illustrations brings events from the stories beautifully to life. A pronunciation guide, "Quick Guide to Cultures" featured in the text, map, and glossary add to the richness of this title. VERDICT Highly recommended for readers young and old, this work is breathtaking and simply beautiful.—Selenia Paz, Harris County P.L., Houston - Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
