A Summer's Trade: Shîìgo Na'iini'

by Deborah W. Trotter

Every summer day, Tony makes the long drive into Gallup with his mother. He works at the local trading post, and he's saving all his money to buy something very special: a beautiful, dark leather saddle with nuggets of turquoise laced into the rawhide. If Tony can save enough money to purchase the saddle, he'll be able to stay home and help his father tend the flocks of sheep and goats. Just when Tony has almost enough money, everything begins going wrong. Tony's uncle breaks his foot, the bills become difficult to pay, and Grandmother pawns her precious silver and turquoise bracelet - the one she has worn since she was a young woman. Then Grandmother becomes ill, and Tony knows he must do something to help out. But will he be able to sacrifice his own dream to help his family?

This children's book is written in Navajo and English

Genres: Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2007

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young Navajo boy named Tony works part time at the trading post in Gallup, New Mexico in this picture book, hoping to save up enough money to buy the saddle he's been longing for. But when disaster strikes his aunt's family, and Tony sees his grandmother pawning her beloved turquoise bracelet, he knows what he needs to do...

An endearing story of family love and loyalty, Trotter's A Summer's Trade is faithful to its cultural background, but should still have broad appeal. Published by Salina Bookshelf, which specializes in Navajo language books, it is presented in both Navajo and English.

[Zach · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Summer's Trade introduces young readers into a particular glimpse of a contemporary Navaho community and experience. Written in english and Navaho side by side, Trotter describes how Tony is saving up to buy his own saddle. When he has almost saved enough, his family begins to experience financial turbulence as Tony's uncle hurts his leg and his grandmother becomes ill. When his grandmother is forced to pawn her bracelet, Tony is forced with decision to help his family or pursue his own plan to buy the saddle. The book is a valuable text not only for the compelling narrative but also because it can be used in the classroom or at home to discuss how poverty effects children and how the native american community often experiences disproportionately high rates of poverty in the United States.

[Loren Toddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Illustrations in this book. Navajo Illustrator and Artist gets to stretch his legs with this book. Ideal and awesome.