Danny Blackgoat, Navajo Prisoner

Danny Blackgoat #1

by Tim Tingle

Danny Blackgoat is a teenager in Navajo country when soldiers burn down his home, kill his sheep and capture his family. During the Long Walk of 1864, Danny is labeled a troublemaker and given the name Fire Eye. Refusing to accept captivity, he is sent to Fort Davis, Texas, a Civil War prisoner outpost. There he battles bullying fellow prisoners, rattlesnakes and abusive soldiers until he meets Jim Davis. Jim teaches Danny how to hold his anger and starts him on the road to literacy. In a stunning climax, Jim--who builds coffins for the dead--aids Danny in a daring and dangerous escape. Set in troubled times, "Danny Blackgoat" is the story of one boy's hunger to be free "and" be Navajo.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Young Adult, Native American

160 pages, Paperback

First published July 14, 2013

About the author

Tim Tingle, a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, is a popular presenter at storytelling and folklore festivals across America. He was featured at the 2002 National Storytelling Festival. In 2004, he was a Teller-In-Residence at The International Storytelling Center, Jonesborough, Tennessee. Choctaw Chief Gregory Pyle has requested a story by Tingle previous to his Annual State of the Nation Address at the Choctaw Labor Day Gathering--a celebration that attracts over thirty thousand people-- from 2002 to the present.

Reviews

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book makes up my 7th grader's first novel unit. It is a slim book, but one with hefty thematic weight, which makes it ideal for discussions with the class! It is written in simple, easy-to-read language, but never shies away from the tragic reality of the Long Walk. However, it also is not a depressing book, and not one of victimhood. This is not a story of tragic Indigenous characters, but rather about brave characters who are very relatable and show strong values, like courage, honor, tradition, and duty to family and culture.
It avoids sentimental or stereotypical depictions of Indigenous characters, as well, and includes Navajo language in the text. Tingle is a Choctaw writer, but clearly shows great understanding of and respect for Navajo language and culture. The book includes specifically Navajo cultural concepts and taboos, which make it appropriate and respectful for Navajo readers, as well as a good introduction for non-Navajos.
Do not let the short length fool you! This book has weighty ideas, and young readers will have a lot to grapple with in terms of theme, ethics, and the context of history. This would make a great book to pair with social studies units, as well, particularly if you are teaching the Long Walk. I compare the Long Walk, the Trail of Tears, the trans-Atlantic slave trade, and the Holocaust with my students, to create cross-cultural discussions and a historical context from which they can create their own ideas.
It also makes a great read aloud! The kids love reading it to each other and they love listening to me read it to them. The simple language makes it accessible, even if you do not speak Navajo --which I do not.
High teacher recommendation!

[Brett Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book, Navajo Prisoner by Danny Blackgoat, was a very excellent book because the theme was about a Native American who was thrown in prison. Danny Blackgoat is a teenager in Navajo country when soldiers come in and burn down his home, kill his sheep and livestock, and captured his entire family. During what was called the Long Walk of 1864, Danny is labeled a trouble maker and is given the nickname Fire Eye. Danny did not want to be kept captive, so he refused. He ended up being sent to a Civil War prisoner outpost in Fort Davis, Texas. When he gets there, he instantly has to worry about bullies because the other prisoners bullied him. He also had to face the challenges of rattlesnakes that were in the prison. Another challenge he faced was the abusive soldiers. The soldiers abused him because not only was he a prisoner, but also because he was Navajo. But then he meets Jim Davis who teaches him how to hold in his anger and gets him started on the road to literacy. Jim Davis builds coffins for a living, and later on he plans an escape for Danny. He will help Danny escape the prison in a very dangerous and daring way. The risk was well worth it for Danny because all he wanted to be was free. I would definitely recommend this tremendous book to people who want to read about the struggles of minorities in the 1800s in the United States.

[Mac Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read for juniors. Tim Tingle, a Choctaw storyteller and historian, follows the young Danny Blackgoat (16) as US soldiers terrorize his community and force hundreds of Navajo people on a tortuous journey to enslavement. Hoping to escape en route, Danny is recaptured and sent to a prison where he meets white men both dangerous and helpful. Jim Davis, a caring man reminiscent of Danny's grandfather, protects Danny from the worse of the inmates. From Davis, Danny learns to speak and read English. Together, they plot an escape.

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this more than I did.... The plot/content seems more mature than the actual reading level. There's a disconnect there. I wanted more development of the characters, too.

Still, it's so valuable to have the perspective in this book! I will be reading the second in the series.

[Annie Oosterwyk · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very simple morality tale of the murder and removal of the Navajo from their land.

[Maggie Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely setting this aside for my daughter when she’s older.

[Tibby]

This one is all about plot which really disappointed me. The characters tended to be pretty flat and I wanted to know them better and see their complexities. The plot was a lot about the cruelty that the Navajos experienced on their forced march to Fort Sumner and I think it would have been better if there was more exploration of the culture that caused people to be so cruel and more depth to the characters that showed at least why they were so nasty. As it was, it read like it was full of stereotypes, white people are evil and mean and native people are gentle and smart. I think the stereotypes don't help anyone understand this history. Even Danny, the main character, didn't have much depth. I never felt like I understood who he was or where he was coming from. Not to any great extent at least. But I can't shake the feeling that I missed something about this book. I think it won an award, so there's got to be something wonderful about this book?

[Bridgette Hoshont'omba · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding this book at my local library made me so happy. To see that it was publishes by a company that puts out books about Native teens and by Native writers? Even happier. When I saw the rating was so low, it made me wonder. I was quite a ways into the book and everything seemed perfect to me.

This was an amazing read, and reminds me of books kept in middle school homerooms. Tim tells the story of Danny Blackgoat, a Navajo kid who sees things around him destroyed in many ways.

Tim demonstrates Native resilience perfectly. And he also gives a plot that keeps the reader on edge and feeling every emotion on the spectrum. (Something I look for when reading.) We also see Danny build a friendship with one of the white men he meets; a major turning point in his tale.

Overall 9/10. I really would have liked a longer book because I personally don't like cliffhangers. Still, this was really wonderful and I HIGHLY recommend it.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've always heard about the Cherokee Trail of Tears, but I don't recall anything about the Navajo Long Walk in 1864...
This is the story of Danny Blackgoat during that time. He and his family are captured, beaten, and forced to leave their home. When reaching their destination, Danny is treated as a prisoner and is forced to work in the fields where he is bullied and threatened almost continually. He does become friends with a fellow prisoner as they both dream of freedom and opportunity.

Seems to be an accurate and respectful representation of the Navajo culture and spirituality.

Also written as a high interest, low level reading book. Should appeal to reluctant/struggling boy readers.

[Shelby Soukup · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Danny Blackgoat, Navajo Prisoner", by Tim Tingle is a great, award winning story that gives a glimpse into the Native American ways of life.

Remembering: When did Danny lose his family and what caused it?

Understanding: Describe what happened to Danny, before the Long Walk of 1864.

Analyzing: What motives did Danny possess in order to regain his freedom?

Applying: What questions would you want Danny to answer about any part of his story?

Evaluating: What choice would you have made if you were in Danny's situation?

Creating: Invent a new scenario and predict what would happen. .

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great high interest/low reading level series by Tim Tingle. Middle school readers will enjoy the fast moving plot plot that is full of action. More advanced readers may draw more from the historical content, learning about the Navajo Long Walk.

I anticipate this series will be popular with the middle school boys and I look foward to the next adventure of Danny Blackgoat.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really appreciate that this book and series exists. Native American stories need to be available and told because they are silenced often. I learned a bit about the Long Walk, which I hadn't heard about before, but the writing was a little stilted and some parts of this story were a bit unbelievable.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing was a little stilted, but the historical aspect is excellent. With so few books about the Long Walk, this could be an excellent resource for classrooms, especially in New Mexico.