The Story of Sitting Bull: Great Sioux Chief

by David Rickman (Illustrator), Lisa Eisenberg

This great defender of the Sioux Nation had shown his bravery and determination from a very young age.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Historical, History, American History, Childrens

108 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since I was a child I have always been fascinated with the culture of the Native American tribes and would devour any book I could have found on them. But unfortunately receiving any information about specific individuals was a bit harder for me to find and so I can say I am not well-versed in knowing many of the lives of famous Native Americans as they were never taught in detail like so many other individuals in the broad class of history.

I had heard about Sitting Bull and knew a bit about him but he was unfortunately one of those obscure names mentioned before falling back into darkness. So as far as historicity I cannot vouch whether the information was correct or not on him although from the cultural viewpoint it was factual from the information that I had known. At the same time with the age of this book, though, it can still be said to be a bit outdated as it does include terminology now believed to be politically incorrect for the zealous.

What made this telling for me interesting was the fact that it did explore Sitting Bull from a baby although very small in comparison to his adult years before progressing. As such the reader is given an almost rounded view although it is more than likely that such a book hasn't nor cannot cover all aspects of his life, which would be best kept in mind.

All in all I thought it was a pretty good book although the writing is a bit on the dry side so as a result just consider it as a stepping stone. By now there should be plenty of good books about Sitting Bull for those who are interested but for those who are looking for a brief read this one should do quite nicely.

[Tammy Schilling · Rating 1 out of 5]

Had to stop reading after a couple of chapters. First, it's so dry and boring. I don't know how you take a kid's biography about a great American Indian chief and make it boring, but the author managed. Second, it's full of old myths and outright nonsense. In one place it even says that babies were tied up in a basket and carried under the tail of a pony when the tribe moved.Um, what? They carried the babies in a way to ensure they were shat upon by the ponies? I don't think so. Just too much nonsense to waste time continuing to read.

[Armatstorage · Rating 2 out of 5]

Written for juveniles. Interesting history, but I question some of the so-called facts. I also don't appreciate the adulation of harmful traditions, but he appeared to be an unbelievably tough man, Sitting Bull. No mention of conversion to Christianity in this book, but I've seen picture of him wearing a cross so I'm thinking he may have converted.

109 pages

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a lot. Good biography of Sitting Bull. Very sad ending.

[Liliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grade: 5th Grade
Lexile Measure: 800L
Genre: Biography

Characters: Sitting Bull
Setting: Varies throughout the biography
POV: The story’s point of view is told from the author.

This book is a biography about Sitting Bull. He was born in the United States in South Dakota. At the age of 10 he killed his first buffalo. At the age of 14 he proved himself as a brave warrior. He was a famous medicine person who surrendered in the US Government on July 20, 1881 after being chosen to lead his people against the U.S government troops. He wanted to keep his people off the reservations. He fought and protected the Indians. It is also stated in this book that he lost a battle when he fought for Lakota Sioux to continue hunting buffalo. It tells his life from

I would use this book in 4th grade or 5th. I would use this book for a social studies lesson on hunters and famous leader war chiefs. I would also use this book to introduce other Dakota Indians, Kings and rulers, wars, and other biographies. I would do a compare and contrast activity with my students or have them write about this certain individual and how me made history in the United States.

[Chato]

Book Title: The Story of Sitting Bull
Author/Illustrator: Lisa Eisenberg/ David Rickman
Reading Level: 6.5
Book Level: 4-8
Book Summary: This biography of Sitting Bull outlines important times in his life and many reasons why he is such a famous Lakota Chief. The book tells of Sitting Bull as a child becoming a child to becoming a brave warrior who fought for not only his people, but all Indian people.
The writing traits of this book are voice trait and word choice. This book is written as a biography, but from a Lakota's view. The words used in the book help tell the story and the seriousness of what Sitting Bull Stood for and how it helped his people.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was good. It would be very good for young kids learning about Sitting Bull. I liked this book it was sad about what happened to Sitting Bull and all the other Indians. I think kids should read this so that they can learn about Sitting Bull or I think people who love history should read this too.

[Cynthia Egbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nice and concise look at the life of Sitting Bull. It would be a great introduction for kids. I appreciated that it did not shy away from the deeply spiritual life that Sitting Bull led. He is a fascinating man and I am grateful for his example. I have learned a great deal in this past month or so, studying his life and times.

[Raven]

good, but not the best.

[Cws]

J978Eis

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good kid's biography for younger students. Recommended.

[Brenda Wharton]

The story of Sitting Bull, chief of the Sioux Indians