Cowboy Up!: Ride the Navajo Rodeo

by Nancy Bo Flood, Jan Sonnemair (Illustrations)

Celebrated author Nancy Bo Flood combines compelling first-person narrative poems with linked prose explanations to portray the dawn-to-dusk events and activities of a Navajo rodeo. Photographer Jan Sonnenmair contributes dynamic action shots that show off the riders and ropers, the horses, bulls, and broncs, along with portrait photos of young rodeo participants.

Genres: Poetry, Nonfiction, Picture Books, Cultural, Animals, Childrens

48 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2013

About the author

This author also goes by Bo Flood.

Nancy Bo Flood is an author, psychologist, teacher, and mother who writes about what she enjoys—children and foreign cultures. She has taught in several different cultures, including Japan, Saipan of Micronesia, Hawaii and Samoa. She lives on the Navajo Reservation in northern Arizona.

Reviews

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes I think half my job simply consists of making lists. Not that I'm complaining. I love lists. I love making them, and checking them, and adding to them. Lists let the organizational part of my frontal lobe feel needed and wanted. Still, once in a while you get stuck on a list and it's hard to move. For example, just the other day I was asked to come up with a list for Kindergartners of books that talk about Native American tribes. Some of the books, I was told, would also have to talk about American Indians living today. Now I don't know anything about you. I don't know if reading this review you're a teacher or a librarian or an interested parent or my mom. Whosoever you might be, you are still probably very aware that asking for nonfiction titles for very young children on Native Americans is akin to asking for the moon and the stars above. Half the stuff on library and bookstore shelves is woefully out-of-date and offensive while the other half is written for kids ten-years-old and up. The pickings for small fry are slim. Enter Cowboy Up! Ride the Navajo Rodeo. The rare book that is both poetry and fact, with content for both big and little, here we have a title that finally fills that gap. Best of all, you don't have to be looking for school or specialty fare to enjoy this one. Like wild bucking stallions and bulls that could impale you without so much as a snort? Welcome to the world of Navajo rodeo.

"Can't sleep. Can't eat. Mind keeps figuring, figuring, figuring - how tight to hold, how far to lean, how hard to squeeze to stay on top." That's just a sample of the thoughts going through a person's head before the Navajo rodeo. Though it has its roots in places like Arizona and Texas, rodeos can be found all over the Navajo Nation and are family affairs. Setting her book during the course of a single rodeo day, author Nancy Bo Flood plunges readers into what might be an unknown world. We see children near bucked from woolly riders (sheep), adults flung from broncos, women who sweep the barrel racer events, steer wrestlers, and, best of all, bareback bull riders. Saturating her text with facts, background information, and tons of photographs, this is one title that will prove tempting to kids already familiar with the rodeo world and those approaching it for the very first time.

It's a challenge facing any work of standard nonfiction for kids: How do you prefer to present your material? In this particular case, Ms. Flood has a wealth of information at her fingertips regarding the Navajo rodeo circuit. Trouble is, you can fill your book to brimming with the brightest and shiniest photos that money can buy, but if you've long blocks of nonfiction text you might lose your readership before you've even begun. Now in this book Ms. Flood presents her material over the course of a single rodeo day. It's a good format for what she has to say, but the downside is that there are sections at the beginning that aren't all that thrilling. If kids are coming to this book to see some high-flying riders, they'll have to first wade through explanations about the announcer and the arena. That's where the poetry comes in. Sure, there are big blocks of explanatory text before the action begins, but Flood tempers each two-page spread with not just photos and explanations but also poems. The advantage then is that younger children can read the poems while older ones get something out of the nonfiction sections. Win win!

It sounds strange to say but in many ways the book that to me feels the closest to the format of Cowboy Up! is Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!: Voices from a Medieval Village by Laura Amy Schlitz. Both books find that the best way to get kids to swallow a spoonful of nonfiction is with a bit of first person narration. With that in mind, the poems in Cowboy Up! offer great promise. Each one is written in the first person and could easily be considered short monologues. The small child auditioning or the teacher who wants to do a theatrical presentation with readily available material would do well to take these poems and use them freely. Now granted, the poetry can be touch-and-go at times. I've a friend who personally cannot stand free verse in children's books because to her it just looks like the author took a paragraph and broke it up into arbitrary lines. I happen to like free verse, insofar as I like any poetry, but I admit that the ones found here varied widely in terms of quality on a case-by-case basis.

Much like the poetry, the photography in this book can vary. Some of the shots (created by photographer Jan Sonnenmair) are brilliant. I'm quite fond of the image on the jacket as well as shots of riders mid-air (one hand waving freely about their heads), the portraits (love those endpapers, though the decision to flips the images was a poor one when you consider library processing techniques), and even one of a rainbow rising behind the honor guard. On the other hand, there are times when it feels as though the book ran out of the good photographs and had to rely on some of the lesser variety. For example, there's a shot of an announcer that looks like it appears twice in two pages, only flipped. This is a rare occurrence, but it happens early enough in the book that a reader could be forgiven for wondering if more duplication is bound to happen.

When I think of books that talk about contemporary Native Americans today, the pickings for kids are slim. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian isn't exactly meant for the 12 and under crowd. Walking on Earth and Touching the Sky is pretty good, if a bit poetic (this might have something to do with the fact that it's a book of poetry). And the book Native Americans A Visual Exploration by S.N. Paleja covers a lot of ground, but only in brief. No, the whole reason Cowboy Up! even works is because it's not trying to be about anything but how particularly cool this kind of rodeo is. This is Navajo life in the 21st century. So forget depressing texts that cover the past with all the interest of a phone book. Flood and Sonnenmair have culled together a look at the just-as-interesting present, and given it a format that will stand it in good stead. Cowboys and cowboys-to-be everywhere, stand up and rejoice. Your rodeo is here.

For ages 5-12.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Non-fiction photographic picture book about the Navajo rodeo, with some poetry to boot! There is not much out there in the way of picture books about native and indigenous people in that doesn't present them as historical figures, so this addition is much appreciated. And I certainly know far more about the Navajo rodeo than I did before (which to be fair, was nothing, but I know some stuff now!). Great photography, particularly the action shots.

[Brenda Kahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The rodeo is brought to life in this lovely homage in poetry, expository narrative and photos from sundown the day before a competition to sundown on the day of the competition. The design is pleasing, from the collage of rodeo participants and would-be participants on the end- pages, through the dramatic opening poem featuring the reflections of a nervous competitor juxtaposed with a dramatic photograph of a cowboy practicing throwing his rope at sundown. Each page invites young readers to experience the excitement of the rodeo as a sport and the commitment to it as a way of life.

The rodeo may be foreign to my students, living as we do in northern New Jersey. They may have seen one on television but might not be aware of how integral it is in the Navajo community. I admit that I was not. I liked how the author compares a young Navajo's dreams of competing in big-time rodeo competitions to suburban kids dreams of Major League Baseball.

Readers may be surprised to learn that children as young as three compete in rodeos. I know I was. Those pint-sized cowboys were too adorable. It's also a family affair. One of my favorite poems was, That's My Grandpa, which was a dialogue between a granddaughter and her grandpa, who was a world champion bronco rider and is now a rodeo announcer. Many of the events from wooly riders to team roping are covered. So it the Midway, where the food looks amazing. The day ends with a poem in which a father comforts his son about losing, explaining that, "Losing is part of rodeo/ Falling is how you learn..."

The narrative portions explain the workings from setting up the arena to heading home, with a page at the end which sums up some rodeo history and hopefully whets the reader's appetite for more. If they turn the page, the author provides books and websites for further exploration.

Not only does this volume fill the need to share diverse cultures in school and public libraries, but it can be used as a mentor text in the classroom.

[Carol Saller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book on so many levels. First, it includes a thorough nonfiction treatment of the rodeo with details that both kids and adults will find fascinating, taking us through the traditional events like barrel racing, calf roping, bareback and bronc riding, and steer wrestling. But in addition, the author weaves in poems in the voices of child rodeo participants, showing us their excitement, frustration, fear, dedication, and triumph as they learn to rope and ride. I didn't even know that such young children participated in rodeo events. COWBOY UP! is a good book for reading aloud to very young children: depending on their age you can focus on the more simple poem-statements and/or read the extended explanations. The photos are amazing. The text and photos combined leave you wanting to attend a rodeo yourself.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. A terrific gift for any small rambunctious people in your life or anyone who might love rodeo. The photographs are stunning and capture the spirit and energy of the event. Bo Flood's poetry captures the heart. The anticipation, the excitement and even the disappointment. Wonderful.

[Savannah Kerr · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a children's picture book that describes in depth the way a Navajo rodeo lays out. Each event or page has a little poem that matches the title of the page, and a full page photograph of the event that is being talked about. The story starts off with the topic of what young kids like and do when preparing for the big rodeo day. It talks about the gathering and how people from all over the state come to participate in the event. One of the child's grandpa is the announcer for the event and you can see the smile on the little girls face when she recognizes her grandfather's voice as this is usually a family filled event. When the grand entry starts you can see the different flags that are represented in the middle of the arena showing all the different cultures that are represented at the rodeo. The story then goes into all of the different events that are present in the rodeo including wooly riding, bronc riding, calf roping, barrel racer, steer wrestling, team roping, and bull riding. The author adds food, games, laughter, and rodeo history to the book to add to the culture of the Navajo rodeo.

[Brook Aldridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cowboy Up! is an amazing children's book that has poetry for the children to be entertained by and also non-fiction text to help inform the children on learning about the Navajo Rodeo. The illustrations are all real photographs of the rodeo and is incredible to look at. Children will love learn all things about the Navajo Rodeo.

[Kristen Carson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Information:
The genre of this book is nonfiction and the reading level is third, fourth, and fifth grade.
Summary:
This book includes poetry and narratives that add to the usefulness of the illustrations. This book is similar to Dare to Dream because it is poetry from many people that were going to compete in a rodeo. This book is very entertaining because it is true accounts of emotions and details that make the story a very interesting nonfiction book. Since the book gives details and real hand accounts of the rodeo, the author of this book incorporated illustrations and pictures of some of the things that the poets describe. As a reader, you can feel the excitement and nervousness of the people who wrote the poems and you feel like you are there at the rodeo with them.
Strengths:
The strength of this book is that illustrations, poems, and narratives are all incorporated into this book. Since there are three different visual elements it makes the book much more interesting and gives different perspectives to the reader. The illustrations, poems, and narratives add different perspectives and engage the reader.
Weaknesses:
I think that readers could become very confused with some of the topics discussed in this book. A topic that could be confusing is when the poems talk about three year old children participating in the rodeo. Some readers might think that that is not possible and wonder how that is able to happen.
Instructional Information:
This book would be a good tool to use when doing a poetry lesson because children write the poems in this book. Students can relate and the poems and try to write their own poem about something that really excites them or makes them nervous. Students could then share their poems in front of the class.
Contextual Information:
The themes of this book are perseverance and never giving up. The race or ethnicity that is addressed in this book are Native Americans. The Navajo tribe is a Native American tribe and the stories of the people in the rodeo are depicted in this book. I think that this book is for both genders but I do think that boys might be more interested in a book about a rodeo. What I enjoyed about this book was that the stories are first hand accounts of the Navajo rodeo and I found it very interesting that children would participate.

Flood, B., & Sonnenmair, J. (2013). Cowboy Up!: Ride the Navajo Rodeo. : Word Song: An Imprint of Highlights .

[Britney Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This nonfiction story is both fascinating and true to facts that children and adults will enjoy. It offers a great insight to the world of the cultural Navajo Nation rodeo. It engages the reader by using informational text and free verse poems, all in first person. The three visual elements are illustrations, poems, and narratives that make the book interesting. It takes you through the traditional rodeo events such as barrel racing, calf roping, steer wrestling, and bareback riding. You see the emotional excitement, fear, commitment, and achievements of each participant.
The author uses true accounts of the Navajo Nation rodeo to detail the story. It is true that even children participate in the tradition. This instructional children’s book allows the reader to create their own response to the true events. The author invites reflection by describing the emotions of the rodeo participants in great detail. It allows the reader to feel the fear or excitement of the Navajo Indians.
The author, Nancy Bo Flood, does a great job of using free verse poems and first-person narrative from more than one source to engage the reader.
This story is based off of true, historical events and people that commit their time to the cultural sport. The point of a well-written nonfiction book is to pass on knowledge of an event to the reader. I believe the free-verse poetry was a great way to engage young readers to read a nonfiction genre book.
The author and photographer collaborated the narrative with real-life action shots of the riders and ropers to appeal to a young audience. They give fantastic visuals for the characters and the setting as you go through each event of the rodeo. Students who read this nonfiction story will be enthralled by the different way of life of Navajo people.

[Howie Kahekili · Rating 4 out of 5]

this story is presented through pictures, poetry, and narratives. This book is very compelling and since the story throughout the book is presented in these three different was you feel and can visualize what the competitors are feeling that are waiting to compete and also the the ones that have already competed. This nonfiction story of the rodeo provides details that are both children and adults will find fascinating for instance, children as young as three years old participate will participate in these rodeos which is mind blowing but so interesting. The author also provides pictures of the events and the time leading up to the events to show you exactly what happens during a rodeo. the author also tells you the various events that are being competed towards like cattle roping and bareback. This book would be good for reading aloud to young children, you can focus on the more simple poem-statements and/or read the extended explanations. The photos and the text compliment each other very nicely to get the full affect of the story.

Flood, B., & Sonnenmair, J. (2013). Cowboy Up!: Ride the Navajo Rodeo. : Word Song: An Imprint of Highlights.

[Kendal Waage · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a compilation of various stories told through poetry and narratives. This details the journey of several competitors during one day at the Navajo rodeo, and the different emotions they felt before they compete. These real rodeo stories provides details that are both children and adults will find intriguing, such as the fact that kids as young as three compete in the rodeo. The different events that are discussed are calf roping, bareback, barrel racing, bronco riding, and steer wrestling. The book includes pictures that show the progression of the events in the rodeo, such as before the rider gets on, to during and after the ride or event. One example that showcases how the riders feel before they compete is when in one of the poems it says “Can’t sleep. Can’t eat. Mind keeps figuring, figuring, figuring – how tight to hold, how far to lean, how hard to squeeze to stay on top.” Rodeo involves more than meets the eye, and this book really does a great job illustrating what the expectations are, as well as how important riding is to those who are involved, as well as the spectators.

[Cari Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cowboy Up!: Ride the Navajo Rodeo is about the events, and background of the Navajo rodeo. This book goes into a little detail about every event in the rodeo. It starts off explaining what the arena is like on rodeo day. People arrive, animals get accounted for, and the whole community turns out to watch the show. It also goes into detail about every event that happens at a rodeo. There are poems off to one side that introduces the event then on the other page it gives the rules and what it takes to be in each event. I think this book would be great to have children read to get insight into a different culture. Or if there are students in the classroom who are Indian, it would be nice for them to learn more about their culture. I enjoyed the illustrations of this book because they were all real photographs of real people that were participating in the events of the rodeo. It made you feel like you were there, and reminded me of all the rodeo's I have been to.

[Antoinette Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cowboy Up! Ride the Navajo Rodeo was a great book that introduced the rodeo with clarity, emotion and spirit. This book gave real depth into what it is like in the rodeo. This book combines poetry with photographs and facts that children can really enjoy. The illustrations were beautiful, descriptive and really helped to tell the story. As I was reading this story, I really felt like I knew exactly what it takes to be a rodeo rider.
Although this book was fun to read and had great illustrations, it seems to target specifically boys as an audience. Girls who aren't into Cowboys or rodeo riding would really lose interest and be unengaged in the book. However, this book would make a great read aloud book at home or in the classroom and will have students talking about the rodeo forever. This would also make a great book within the classroom to introduce students to Multicultural literature because of its diversity of Native American culture.

[Rachel Atwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story brought to life through pictures, poetry, and narratives. Throughout this story, you read poetry written by the nervous competitors that have or are about to compete in the rodeo. This nonfiction story of the rodeo provides details that are both children and adults will find interesting for instance, children as young as three years old participate in the rodeo, which is crazy! You are lead through the different events that take place during the rodeo, such as calf roping, bareback, barrel racing, bronco riding, and steer wrestling. The author also provides pictures of the events and the time leading up to the events to show you exactly what happens during a rodeo. Another great aspect to this story is the poetry in the book is written by the young competitors which helps show their excitement, frustration, fear, dedication, and triumph as they learn the rules of the rodeo.

[Keri Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bo Flood, N. (2012). Cowboy up! Ride the Navajo rodeo. Honesdale, PA: WordSong.

Experience the day in the life of a Navajo rodeo. A combination of free verse poetry and prose narrative will surround you with the sights, sounds, and action of a cultural experience like no other. Action packed photography by Jan Sonnenmair enhance the experience of young mutton-busters to big Brahma bull riders.

3rd gd. Social Studies C-CAP First Americans: Cultural Regions and Interactions; this book could be used with the Colorado Cowboy Poets that visit local schools; Activity Guide with CCSS
http://nancyboflood.com/wp-content/up...

Junior Library Guild selection, SLJ Review-April 2013, NCTE Notable Poetry Books for 2014, 2014 Notable Books for a Global Society (NBGS) award list.

*Diversity-Ethnicity Navajo, Native Americans

[Penny Peck · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Navajo Rodeo may not be the biggest but this offers an interesting glimpse into this culturally significant sport. Combining a brief but clear informational text with free verse poems, makes the writing quite engaging. Add to that the color photos, both action shots and portraits of the people involved, along with a pleasant book design, for an overall package that is an eye-grabber. Noteworthy are the headings, which look like they were done with wood blocks. A plus is the description that in Navajo culture, the animals well-being is important, so this appears to be a "cruelty free" rodeo. Also, it is always welcome to see books on contemporary Native Americans, who are too often seen only in history books for youth.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Juxtaposing informative text, commentary from a rodeo announcer, and 18 poems from different voices, this book provides insight into Navajo rodeos, weekly events that draw competitors from all over. Not only do these competitions provide entertainment, unite families and provide a place to socialize and enjoy good food, but they also offer ways for youngsters to test their nerves and strength. There are vignettes featuring sheep, horses, and bulls as part of the rodeo as well as fast-paces barrel racing. Although the back matter provides additional information about the history of rodeos, I wanted to know even more about these events so common in the West.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

With amazing photographs, a narrative explaining the excitement of a day in the life of Navajo rodeo, and poems that describe the action-packed events, this book offers a new look at a culture students may not know about, in addition to the way poetry can be used for description. I didn't know anything about the Navajo rodeos, and now I see that it's an exciting time for both adults and kids. The photographs show just how challenging this sport can be! Here's the beginning of Bronc Riders: "No saddle or stirrups,/Are you crazy?/Got my lucky saddle hitched tight./Nothing to hold on to/but a braided rawhide rigging./Got my reins held right."

[Phoebe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is an excellent blend of poetry, bright, clear photographs, and explanatory text that should greatly appeal to kids who like horses, the west, or the rodeo scene. The fact that the children pictured are Navajo is actually secondary to the purpose of the book; there is no cultural information other than to say that the rodeo arena and its associated action form a major part of every Navajo community. Readers will clearly sense the excitement and apprehension that rodeo participants, big and small, feel as they prepare for their big moment. Terrific book. 3rd grade and up.

[Abby Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

In poems, prose, and brilliant photography, readers get a glimpse inside a Navajo Nation rodeo. The book's written to take readers through the entire day at the rodeo, explaining the various events including woolly riding (for the littles), calf roping, barrel racing, and the deadly bull riding. This book will fit the bill for kids interested in cowboys and rodeos, as well as anyone looking for books about modern Native American life. A brief author's note gives a little background history of the rodeo.

[BillyAnn Stempel]

This book is a poetry and prose combination about the navajo rodeo. It shows the different people and their various roles in the rodeo as well as the rodeos importance in the culture.

The illustrations are photographs

I really enjoyed this book because of its cultural influence. I think that the author did a great job of using poetry to describe the various parts of the rodeo and always follows it up with prose to describe the importance of the rodeo. I really enjoyed reading this book, I feel that I gained new knowledge from it.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The rodeo comes to life in this book. We live through an entire rodeo from setup to takedown. Each event is introduced by the rodeo announcer, a poem gives life to the event, and an explanation is given on the event. We learn about sheep riding, bronco busting, barrel racing, steer wrestling and rodeo clowns. The history of the rodeo is given as is its importance in Native American and Western culture. This book is very informative and interesting. It will make you want to go see a rodeo!

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book as it worked to paint a picture of the rodeo experience for ranchers, vendors, competitors and families and spectators to the Navajo Rodeo. I love how the book included poetry, informational pieces, beautiful pictures, and was told through the format of how a typical rodeo day takes place.

[Shannon Hitchcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a sucker for cowboys and rodeos so I was destined to love this book! COWBOY UP! RIDE THE NAVAJO RODEO spans a single day. The format is unique: a collection of poems, narrative non-fiction, and color photos. I think any kid who loves action and stories of the wild west will enjoy learning about the rodeo, hearing the rhythm of the poems and looking at the vibrant pictures.

[Donna Nix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice combination of poetry, narrative text and photos to tell the story of rodeo for young readers. The event featured here is in Navajo country, but it could take place anywhere in the West. Having lived in rodeo country for a number of years, it's very true to what happens at a rodeo. Excellent book!

[Salsabrarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poems express the anticipation, excitement and thrills of watching and participating in the rodeo, while narrative on opposing pages describes the different types of events such as bulldogging and bullriding. An intriguing introduction for city kids and an affirmation for mutton busters. Color photographs capture the dusty action and fan glee.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

How do you get a handle on the big, crazy world of rodeo? One rider, one bull, one bucking bronco at a time. From kinderarteners on bucking sheep to the clowns that face down raging bulls, here is one day in one rodeo with pictures so close you can feel the thousand-pound bull's breath.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A combination of free verse, factual narrative and beautiful photographs---this is a great pick for building up your collection of culturally diverse titles. It's informative and fun, with a sweet lesson to be learned at the end.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Media: Photographs
Right from the start I enjoyed this book. The first poem is all about the anticipation of the night before the rodeo. Along with the poems is a story about the Navajo Rodeo. I thought both components made this a great book. I also enjoyed that they used real photographs.

[Diane Kress Hower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read my review of Nancy's book at www.bookwisdombydiane.blogspot.com. Poetry, a rodeo announcer, and facts about rodeo placed with dynamic photos make this non-fiction book by WordSong shine.