A Mare for Young Wolf

Young Wolf #1

by Janice Shefelman, Tom Shefelman

Illus. in full color. When Young Wolf is finally old enough to have his own horse, he chooses a mare, which is unheard of among Comanche warriors. But boy and mare prove to be an exceptional team.  

Step-Into-Reading, Step 4

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, 2nd Grade

48 pages, Paperback

First published September 21, 1993

Reviews

[Jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Level: 2nd to 3rd grade but could be read to a much younger child.

I love this whole series. Each one teaches the child something.
In this story Young Wolf choses his first horse, Red Wind. He has to learn to deal
with teasing about picking a mare instead of a war horse. Very good story!

[Educator Barnes · Rating 1 out of 5]

These reviews below are important to note. I read this book three times to try to figure out which Native group Young Wolf was from. The only Native people mentioned in the book are the Apache tribe who try to take the mare. The version of the book I had did not have the cover with the flap. Until I went searching online, I didn't know which Native American group he was from. Any book written that does not identify the Native Americans of focus is a horrible book about Native Americans.

"From School Library Journal - Grade 2-3-A story of Young Wolf's friendship with a beautiful red mare. The boy's father warns him that only children and women ride mares. Young Wolf persists, however, and is given Red Wind. As predicted, his peers taunt him. The boy ignores the teasing, trains his horse, and, in an effort to protect her from the Apaches, ties her rope to his wrist before going to sleep. In the middle of the night, he feels the rope move, somehow knows that the two shadows he sees are Apaches, jumps on Red Wind's back, and warns the village. There is no reference to the specific people that this story is about. The images of Native Americans seem stiff and distorted. The characters wear loincloths, live in teepees, and have various hair styles. In most of the illustrations, Young Wolf is shown with his braids hanging down his back, but in at least one they are in front-a significant change in many tribes. The dialogue- "'Oh, buffalo chips!'"-seems out of character. Although the book is readable and mildly entertaining, it perpetuates stereotypes and gives little attention to an authentic portrayal of Native Americans and their traditions. Sharron McElmeel, Cedar Rapids Community Schools, IA. Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc."

"From the Inside Flap - Illus. in full color. When Young Wolf is finally old enough to have his own horse, he chooses a mare, which is unheard of among Comanche warriors. But boy and mare prove to be an exceptional team."

[Cws]

JEAR2-She

[SouthWestZippy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great children's story.