The Hopis

First Americans

by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve, Ronald Himler (illustrator)

In this new and updated edition, award-winning author Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve introduces young readers to the Hopi people.

Did you know that the Hopi people have always lived on three mesas, big flat-topped hills, in Arizona? This accessible nonfiction picture book introduces the Hopis’ creation story, history, beliefs, daily ways of life, and more. Learn about the Hopi secret societies, underground kivas, kachina masks, the snake dance, and more.

Expertly reviewed by members of the Hopi tribe, this updated edition provides the most up to date and accurate information on the Hopi people of the past and present. Historical information is accompanied by a section on modern life.

Author Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve grew up on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation and is an enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux tribe. She has brought the richness of Native American culture and heritage to thousands of children for over 40 years as a teacher and children’s book author. Her First Americans books introduce young readers to the many diverse and unique Native American nations that first called this land home.

Genres: Picture Books, History

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1995

About the author

Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve was born and raised on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota. She was the daughter of an Episcopal priest and a Lakota Sioux mother. Sneve received her B.S. and M.Ed. in 1954 and 1969, respectively, from South Dakota State University. She has taught English in public school of South Dakota, and at the Flandreau Indian School in Flandreau. Her career also includes editor at the Brevet Press in Sioux Fall, S.D. Sneve is a member of the board of directors, Native American consortium, Corporation for Public Broadcasting ; member of the Rosebud Sioux tribe; member of board of directors of United Sioux Tribes Cultural Arts; and Historiographer of the Episcopal Church of South Dakota.

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

With a brief section on the Hopis today, this picture book provides a helpful and well written introduction to the Southwest Native American tribe. The book contains a map of where they live as well as sections on their origin stories, food, crafts, homes, how they resisted white incursion on their lands, the role of women, important ceremonies, and movement to reservations. The softly-colored artwork shows respect for and understanding of these First Americans. This would be a good choice for an elementary or intermediate classroom library or collection devoted to indigenous history.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a perfect short read! Get to know more of the Native American tribe, and how they lived.

Young readers will get a great look into the tribe, and learn some fun facts, foods, and more.

[Jo-jean Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written, compassionate and educational. I enjoy reading books for young people to understand what they are learning.

[Katie Bathke]

In this book the peri-text page has a map of where all of the tribes are located. This is kind of a neat idea to show where each tribe in the book is located at. The pictures in the book are made up of dull colors and like as if they are drawn in with pencil. The picture shapes are all free-form shapes. I think the illustrated probably used free-form shapes to show the type of Native American culture. Most of the pictures have mountains in the background. This book would be a good book when teaching about Native Americans.