A Boy Named Beckoning: The True Story of Dr. Carlos Montezuma, Native American Hero

by Gina Capaldi

This story reveals the remarkable life of a Native American boy named Wassaja, or "Beckoning," who was kidnapped from his Yavapai tribe and sold as a slave. Adopted by an Italian photographer in 1871 and renamed Carlos Montezuma, the young boy traveled throughout the Old West, bearing witness to the prejudice against and poor treatment of Native Americans. Carlos eventually became a doctor and leader for his people, calling out for their rights. Gina Capaldi's exquisite paintings bring to life excerpts from Dr. Carlos Montezuma's own letters describing his childhood experiences. The culminating portrait provides an inventive look back into history through the eyes of a Native American hero.

Genres: Picture Books, Biography, Nonfiction, Native American, History, Childrens, Indigenous

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Studied fine arts and illustration at Pepperdine University, Pitzer College, and the Art Center College of Design.

Lives in the foothills of San Gabrielino mountains in San Dimas, California.

Reviews

[Mir · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Civil War ended black slavery, but did nothing to improve the treatment of Native Americans. When Wassaja was five years old, enemy Pima raided his community and took him prisoner. After a few days of abuse he was sold into slavery. He was less unfortunate than many children, as he was bought by an Italian photographer who purchased him out of pity rather than for labor. Renamed Carlos Montezuma and given an education, he grew up to be a medical doctor and civil rights campaigner.

Because his foster-father was a photographer, an unusual number of images of Montezuma at various ages, as well as other members of his community, are extant and were incorporated into the illustrations. These were very effective. I was also impressed that Montezuma managed to research all his family members and find out what had happened to each of them (although the information itself was pretty discouraging, especially about his mother escaping but being shot by American guards for attempting to find him without permission).

A very interesting book about an important subject. Parents may want to read up on the history beforehand in case of questions.

[Lata · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an incredible life! Was Wassaja was kidnapped when a child, sold as a slave, and was bought by Carlos Gentile, an Italian photographer who had immigrated to the US from Italy in search of adventure.
Wassaja became well travelled with his new father, who photographed many people and places to support them. Eventually, Wassaja went to school, and ended up becoming a doctor by the age of seventeen. He worked and taught for many years. He also advocated tirelessly for his people, and for other indigenous peoples in the US. He died in 1923; a year later the US government declared native Americans were citizens.
This guy was pretty amazing, working incredibly hard, accomplishing so much. The photographs included in this book were terrific, and were taken by Carlos Gentile.

[Rfrancik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wassaja's story begins with his kidnapping, subsequent sale to a white photographer, and eventual rise through education and hard work to become a voice for Native American people.

This lovely story is simultaneously heartbreaking and inspirational. While appropriate for 4th-12th graders the language and historical concepts will be more fully understood if introduced by a teacher at the 4th and 6th grade level. It would make a wonderful read aloud for anyone teaching about prejudice, stereotyping, discrimination, American policy, Westward expansion and Native American History.

As an elementary school teacher among a predominantly immigrant population I will use it to supplement the 3rd grade Native American unit and the Migration unit taught to 5th graders in the spring. This remarkable man, Wassaja, also opens the door for a discussion about the value of education when faced with trying to live in a new culture.

Reviews:

1) Booklist starred (March 15, 2008 (Vol. 104, No. 14))
2) School Library Journal (March 1, 2008)

Both of these reviews praise the book highly commenting on the pictures and the historical notes at the end of the story. They both recommend it for grades 2-5 however and I think this completely misses the mark when you look at the depth of the experience and the different educational strands it addresses. We are just beginning to hear about the Native American experience in their own words. If this book taught me new things as an adult it certainly will be educational for those in middle school and high school classrooms. It also provides an accessible text and format for the high school or junior high student who reads with difficulty.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A picture book biography about the life of Dr. Carlos Montezuma, a Yavapai doctor and Native American activist. The story is written in a letter-format, as the author was inspired to do so in the way the real Carlos had addressed to an acquaintance when asked about his life. When he was a little boy, his tribe was massacred, his family separated, and he was kidnapped to be sold into slavery. A light was shone when he was adopted by a man named Carlos Gentile, who helped him with his friends assimilate into the American society. With much help, Carlos began his career as a doctor and later decided that Native Americans deserved to have a voice in the government, in which, he continually advocated for life while maintaining a successful career.

A heartbreaking, yet inspirational tale, Carlos had overcome much of the trials that plagued him in his early childhood that he became one of the symbolic figureheads we learn about when it comes to civil rights. Capaldi had perfectly captured the voice of Montezuma in this book, and the pastel illustrations is well in tone with the story. I only wished it could have went further in telling of some of his efforts with his advocating.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wouldn't have believed this true story if I hadn't read it myself.
Do you know the name Dr. Carlos Montezuma?
Sadly, neither did I. His story, told here through real-pictures of him and his times and adapted letters from his own writing, we meet A Yawapati boy named Wassaja meaning..Beckoning...
Would you believe that the person who fought so hard for Native American rights was:
-Kidnapped from his home?
-Sold into slavery?
-Never saw his parents again?
-Couldn't understand his Italian "Father", photographer Carlo Gentille (who was very deserving of the last name)
-Performed in the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show?
-Went to College at the age of 14? Graduated at 17? And Graduated from medical school 5 years later?
-Would use his voice and powerful education to fight for the citizenship rights and recognition of Native Americans?

I cried. I cheered. I hoped. I saw resilience, courage, hope, love, humility, strength, commitment, devotion, activism, family, freedom and identity all in this book.

Beautifully adapted from Dr. Carlos Montezuma's own hand and unique art by Gina Capaldi!

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is told through letters that Dr. Montezuma wrote in response to a professor in 1905 that asked him for his life story. Montezuma was formally known as " Wassaja" which means "beckoning". One night when he was a child, his family was attacked by the Pima Indians and Wassaja was taken from his family. He was then sold as a slave to white people. The man who bought him was named Carlo Gentile. Carlo fed, bathed and clothed Wassaja but he was still very sad and missed his family. Carlo introduced Wassaja to a few young Indian girls who were bought by another man: they happened to be his two sisters! He visited them a few times and then never saw them again. Carlo baptized Wassaja and gave him a new name: Carlos Montezuma. Carlos spent his boyhood traveling with his new father in the iron horse. During their travels they stop in Chicago, IL where Mr. Gentile has friends: they settled there for awhile and Carlos went to public school and also became a paperboy delivering the Times and Chicago Tribune.

When Carlos was eleven he had to live with a preachers family while his father rebuilt his photography business: all the while the young boy tried to master the English language. As Carlos grew older he mastered his education: he ended up graduating high school at age 14 and got accepted to University of Illinois. He had an interest in Chemistry and graduated from college at age seventeen. Carlos then went on to Chicago Medical College, where he became a doctor in five years. While Carlos was working as a doctor he searched for his lost family. He learned that his two sisters married and had children in Mexico: with whom he became close with. Carlos learned that his infant brother had passed away soon after he lost his family. His father and mother found themselves on a reservation together, protected by U.S soldiers. His mother tries to find her lost boy and passes away in the harsh conditions. His father eventually passed away from a fever. At the end of his letters Montezuma talks of practicing his profession and teaching at medical colleges. He dedicated himself to writing and standing up for the rights of his people.

This book has beautiful watercolor illustrations that are accented with photographs along with captions. The photos were taken by Montezuma's adopted father Gentile the photographer. This book would be a great asset to any classroom library. It has rich Native American history and a great story of a successful man. I would use this book as a supplement to Native American history for students 5th grade and above.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carlos Montezuma began his life not as Carlos, but Wassaja. He was born into the Yavapai Indian tribe which resided in western Arizona. As a young boy his village was burned by a neighboring tribe, the Pima and he was kidnapped from his family to be sold into slavery. By a fortunate twist of fate Wassaja was bought by a famous photographer named Carlo Gentile. Carlo saved Wassaja and made him not a slave, but his son. Wassaja was given an English name Carlos, after his adoptive father Carlo. He grew up in a loving home, traveling all over the country watching Carlo photograph the country. They eventually settled down in Chicago where Carlos worked hard at his studies and eventually became a doctor. Eventually Carlos went back to the west and helped many people on the reservations. He fought tirelessly for the rights of the Native American people until his death in 1924.
This biography is written in picture book format. The author includes a short biography of Carlos’s work after the picture book ends, which was a very inspiring. Also, at the conclusion of the book the author lists websites that will provide readers with more information. I thought that the illustrations were beautifully done. The colors used in the start of the book were very reminiscing of the Arizona landscape, while the ending pictures had darker or grayer colors that better represent a city environment. I would recommend this book for ages 9-13. I would use this book when talking about the events in the 1800’s. It is not commonly known that Native Americans sold each other into slavery, which might bring up some great conversations. Also, in fourth grade we do a large Chicago research project and adding Carlos to the list of discussed famous individuals would be great. I very much enjoyed this text and learned much more about Carlos Montezuma then I ever had before. I will definitely be purchasing this text.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I looked at this book recently because I'm part of a committee that compiles a booklist of the best of the previous year's books for use in the schools. The book tells a fascinating story about Dr. Carlos Montezuma, a Yawapati captured in 1871 by Pima Indians and sold as a slave, The boy was bought by an Italian photographer, Carlos Gentile, who attempted to raise him as his son . At 17 Montezuma graduated from college ( University of Illinois or University of Chicago? Both are cited as accepting him.) and entered medical school. After graduation, he worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs where he saw the way Native people were treated by the US government. He soon left the Bureau and became an activist for Indian rights. The book has an extensive bibliography, source notes and wonderful photographs, many of which were taken by Carlo Gentile.

In her blog American Indians in Children's Literature Debbie Reese has commented on this book on at least two occasions. Many of her comments focus on the way the source materials from different time periods have been combined to tell the story in what appear to be Dr. Montezuma's writing and his words. Though she doesn't frame what she writes in this way, Reese raises one of the major issues in children's nonfiction today. When an author takes source material and uses it to recreate a person's thoughts, words or writing, is this nonfiction, or are we simply dealing with historical fiction regardless of how the book is presented? From my point of view, when the author chooses to write a story in the first person, she is writing a work of historical fiction. The problem here is that children will not make this distinction.

[Rummanah (Books in the Spotlight) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I happened to stumble upon this book while browsing the children's collection at my public library. The title grabbed my attention right away as I never heard of Dr. Carlos Montezuma before. The author uses Montezuma's own words to tell his gripping story as a Yavapai boy who was captured by the Pima and sold into slavery in 1871, bought and raised by a kind Italian photographer, and grew up to become a prominent doctor and Native American spokesperson. Montezuma was a gifted learner and graduated from the University of Illinois at the age of 17. After becoming a doctor, Montezuma searched for his parents and siblings and learned the sad truth about their lives and deaths. He also spoke against the ill treatment, harsh living conditions, and prejudices against Native Americans by the U.S. government. A full-page author's note addresses "Dr. Montezuma-The Activist," including his "Let My People Go" speech to the U.S. Senate in 1916. I learned quite a lot from this book and after I finished it I had to do some research of my own because I was so captivated by this story. The illustrations are great and layered with actual photos combined with pictures that offer multiple perspectives and rich in gold and brown tones. The side panels on the page offers additional information and provides context to the story. This would be a good starting off point in looking into the complex and intricate relationship between Native Americans and the United States.

[Scarlett Sims · Rating 3 out of 5]

When students are asked to name famous Native Americans, it's unlikely that Carlos Montezuma's name will be on the list. However, Gina Capaldi's biography of this Yavapai activist and intellectual serves to teach children about an unsung historical figure. The book has a dense information content, but each page tells one story from Montezuma's life, making it easy to break down into sections. Capaldi states in the author's note that prefaces the story that the text is primarily Montezuma's own words, however she did splice them together from many documents and "added brief phrases--" it is unclear which ones. A few of the vignettes give the impression that Montezuma felt he was "saved" by Carlo Gentile, an Italian-American who purchased Montezuma as a slave when he was a child. This may be true but it does little to counter the idea that Native Americans were "uncivilized" before their forced assimilation into white culture. The author's beautiful paintings are accompanied by Gentile's photographs--while photography of Native Americans is a controversial issue, the photos add another level of historical detail. An explanation of the research process and detailed list of sources round out a solid biography for young readers.

[Dee Dee G · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing story. Again we have a sad ugly history in this country that we can’t deny.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carlos Montezuma (born Wassaja), was born in 1866 to the Yavapai people in what is now Arizona. At the age of seven his familys’ village was attacked by an enemy nation, and he was captured with the intention of being sold into slavery. Luckily, he was instead sold to Carlo Gentile, an Italian immigrant who was (and is) famous for his work taking photographs across Canada and the Americas, photographing not only places and celebrities, but many people from different Native American cultures. Gentile proceed to adopt him, and raised him as his son, taking Carlos with him on his many travels.
Carlos was a prodigious learner, and not only graduated high school at the age of fourteen but became a doctor by the age of twenty-two. After learning more about the fate of his family after their separation, and the fate of his people who had been forced onto the reservation until the rule of corrupt government officials, he soon dedicated his life to championing their cause - working not only to ensure better treatment and independence, but working to convince the U.S. government to grant them citizenship in their own lands.

This is the second book I’ve read recently by Gina Capaldi, the first being very similar in subject matter - a biography about Zitkala-sa, another Indigenous rights pioneer of the 19th & 20th century. Honestly, I’m a little surprised there was no mention in either book of whether they’d ever met as they very clearly had similar aspirations.
Both books are written in a very personal style, as well. Zitkala-sas’ was written in the first person, paraphrased from several auto-biographical articles she’s wrote about her life over the years ; Carlos’ story, on the other hand, is largely based on a letter he sent to a friend where he tells his life story (with Capaldi adding details from other articles and letters to add more to his story). Both stories are engaging, and it’s amazing to see how much both of Carlos and Zitkala-sa were able to accomplish, especially from such a young age.
Their stories were both engaging, and it was interesting to see all of the historical photographs scattered throughout Montezumas’ story, many taken by his adoptive father Gentile - including one of Buffalo Bill, possibly taken from when Carlos performed with them as a child.

This is another great resource for anyone interested in American history of the period, or in the history of American civil rights. I was surprised by some of the information I found, even just in the sidebars - we’re so used to hearing about Lincoln, and the Civil War bringing an end to slavery, I never realized that only applied to African American slaves.
The illustrations, again, are quite nice, in bright colourful paintings, and with several portraits scattered throughout.

Cons... the terminology used for the Native Americans is “American Indian” which is considered inappropriate in Canada (although acceptable in the U.S., where this was published).

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heroes often intrigue me, especially when they can be viewed as a role model of overcoming adversity and returning to fight for the rights of others in their culture. Gina Capaldi wrote about such a hero in her book; A Boy Named Beckoning; The True Story of Dr. Carlos Montezuma, Native American Hero. “Wassaja” (Montezuma’s Yawapati name which means “beckoning”) was ripped from his family when Pima Indians destroyed his village at the age of five. Wassaja would have been sold into slavery if it weren’t for an Italian immigrant named, Carlo Gentile. Gentile, a photographer, was traveling through the southwest looking for “adventure, art and gold”. He bought Wassaja for 30 silver dollars. Being a devout Christian, Gentile baptizes Wassaja and changes his name to Carlos after himself and Montezuma after the ancient ruins near the land Wassaji grew up on. The two traveled across America, taking pictures and experiencing what the American landscape had to offer. Unfortunately, after settling in Chicago Gentile’s art studio burns to the ground and along with it his fortune. He is forced to leave Carlos with a preacher’s family while he earns more money. During his time with the preacher’s family Carlos excels academically. He finishes high school at an early age and graduates from the University of Chicago at seventeen. After five years he graduates from the Chicago Medical College and becomes a doctor. He is “beckoned” to help Native Americans forced to leave their land and relocate to reservations where he finds them living in squalor and fear without hope of a better life. Montezuma fights for the rights of Native American people until his death of tuberculosis in 1923 (one year before Native Americans win the right to citizenship).

Capaldi’s beautiful gouache illustrations across both landscape pages add to the emotion of the story but the photographs (some actually taken by Gentile) add to the authenticity of this true retelling. The author’s prologue and note at the end give additional information. I did enjoy this book and feel the story is well worth sharing with students. However, Debbie Reese who writes the American Indians in Children's Literature (AICL) blog that analyses representations of Native Americans in literature feels that Capaldi misrepresents Montezuma and Native Americans in her text. She feels the author uses an authentic picture showing a Native American boy in jeans but Capaldi’s painted illustration depicts Native Americans with bare feet and wearing breechcloths. Furthermore, she feels Capaldi takes too much liberty in interpreting Montezuma’s letters when gathering information for the book.

Booklist places this text as 2-3rd grade and I agree. Lessons should include a discussion bout the misrepresentations Ms. Reese brings to light in her blog found at http://americanindiansinchildrenslite...

This text would also be a good mentor text for children 5th grade and up when discussion the use of multiple medias as Capaldi did when she used real photographs mixed with drawings. The photographs were a visual documentation of Montezuma during the period of time discussed chronologically. The paintings depicted significant episodes in Montezuma’s life and represented the action described in the text. Older children can use this format to write their own life stories using the multimedia format used in Capaldi’s book as a guide.

[Ben Truong · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Boy Named Beckoning: The True Story of Dr. Carlos Montezuma, Native American Hero is a children's picture book written and illustrated by Gina Capaldi. It is a biographical picture book of Carlos Montezuma – a Native American who was sold into slavery and became a doctor and then a Native American activist.

November, at least in my part of the world is Native American Heritage Month, which I plan to read one children's book, preferably a biography, which pertains to the subject everyday this month. Therefore, I thought that this book would be apropos for today.

Carlos Montezuma (Wassaja) was a Yavapai-Apache Native American, activist and a founding member of the Society of American Indians. He was kidnapped by Pima raiders along with other children to be sold or bartered. He was then purchased by an Italian photographer Carlo Gentile in Adamsville, for thirty silver dollars. Montezuma was the first Native American student at the University of Illinois and Northwestern University, and only the second Native American ever to earn a medical degree in an American University after Susan La Flesche Picotte. Until his death Wassaja fought to support the rights of his Yavapai people and other Native Americans.

The text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Each two-page spread features a topic title and a date and describes, in Montezuma's words, what happened to him during that particular time period. An author's note in the beginning and additional information about Montezuma and a bibography in the backmatter provide additional information. The illustrations on each two-page spread reflect the ideas in the main text. Capaldi also includes primary source photographs from the time period, many of which were taken by Carlo Gentile, Montezuma's adopted father.

The premise of the book is rather straightforward. Wassaja, a Native American boy is captured by an enemy tribe and sold to a white man, who becomes the boy’s adopted father and renames his Carlos Montezuma. With his father's support, the boy acquires an education and becomes a medical doctor and activist for Native American rights.

All in all, A Boy Named Beckoning: The True Story of Dr. Carlos Montezuma, Native American Hero is a wonderful biographical picture book about Wassaja, who was kidnapped, sold, and renamed Carlos Montezuma, who would one day become a doctor and a Native American rights activist.

[MissDziura · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Boy Named Beckoning is the important story of Dr. Carlos Montezumea written for students in grades 4-6. This picture book uses a correspondence Dr. Montezuma had with H.W. Holmes of the Smithsonian Institute in 1905 to tell his life's story. I gave this book two stars (it was ok) mainly because I found the format of the text to be a little confusing as a reader. I give credit to authors who go outside the box and use different means to tell a story, however I found Capaldi's use of pictures and captions on each page to be distracting. I think Capaldi's use of the real five page letter Montezuma wrote to Holmes was a good way to tell his story but each page contained a real picture that did not necessarily go along with what was being transmitted on the page.
Another problem I found had to do with the story itself. After Montezuma was kidnapped from his tribe and family, he was adopted by an Italian man named Mr. Gentile, which was told in the section entitled "The Transaction." Although I am a proponent of authors being honest in their story-telling, something that is so sensitive in nature, I feel was dealt with in too optimistic of a light. It was almost as if Capaldi was saying that while it was bad he was snatched from the only family he knew while being exposed to the atrocities that befell his people, some nice, European man gave him a home. I think this would be a good text to use as a critique of how readability becomes difficult as a result of how a page is formatted (the overuse of pictures and captions).

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This well researched picture book tells the story of Dr. Carlos Montezuma in his own words. The story is based on a letter that Dr. Montezuma,or Wassaja as he was named, wrote to a professor at the Smithsonian Institution in 1905 explaining his life story. He was born into the Yavapai Tribe in Arizona. When he was a child, his camp was raided by members of the Pima Tribe, he was kidnapped and sold as a slave to a white man. Carlo Gentile, an artist and photographer, adopted Wassaja as his own son and raised him in the white culture, renaming him Carlos Montezuma. Carlos eventually became a doctor and went to work on an Indian Reservation. After seeing the appalling conditions of life on reservations, he began to petition the US government to help win rights for Native Americans, including American Citizenship. The book includes source notes at the end, as well as primary source photographs, and facts about the life of Yavapai Indians. This book could be an excellent resource for a unit on Native American biographies. It is similar to other stories, such as “Meet Christopher: An Osage Indian Boy from Oklahoma” and “Counting Coup: Becoming a Crow Chief on the Reservation and Beyond”, in that it tries to tell the story of a Native American from his own perspective and in his own voice, while educating the reader about his tribe and Native Americans in general. This book is geared towards grades 2-5.

[CR · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute little title with a very interesting cover. I think it was kind of muted and it will be hard for kids to really want to read this one. I know with me if I would have seen this on the shelf it wouldn't have been one that I really wanted to grab. I think it would work great for a school setting though. I think this title was very easy to read. It had a ton of illustrations which helped tell the story and I again I think this could be great in a school setting as it could start a conversation in class.

I think it was very interesting that each page had a date on it. So that way if you wanted to learn more about that time you knew what you were looking for. Another really cool thing about this one are the real photos on the side pages. With information about the picture before it.

The ending of this title gives us even more information as well as a list of other titles to check out for further reading.


Overall, I think this is one for the school system. I could see a child asking to read something like this if they were talking about this subject in class. But I couldn't see someone just deciding to read it from the bookstore.

[Xiaohui · Rating 3 out of 5]

Instead of a fictional picture storybook, A Boy Named Beckoning is adapted from the true story of Dr. Carlos Monterzuma, a Native American civil rights activist, as well as a medical doctor, lecturer, professor, researcher, and publisher. Gina Capaldi reconstructed and chronicled Montezuma’s life mainly based on a collection of Montezuma’s letters, speeches, interviews, newspaper and magazine articles, etc. “I would never forget Wassaja, as my real name. Its meaning ‘beckoning,’ suits me even as a man. (Capaldi, 2008, p. 17)” Everything in Wassaja’s life was changed after that horrible night. But thanks to Mr. Carlo Gentile, Wassaja was not sold to be a slave. “Mr. Gentile had no need for a dirty little boy, but he paid thirty silver dollars for me anyway and bought my life. (Capaldi, 2008, p. 12)” Gentile brought great education to Wassaja, or Carlo Montezuma now, which is the best way to defend himself. Gina Capaldi’s remarkable words and exquisite illustration working together with the photographs taken by Gentile bring the real Wassaja in front of us.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1871, 5 year old Yavapai Indian, Wassaja, is kidnapped by Pima warriors and sold into slavery. He is bought by Carlo Gentile, an Italian photographer and named Carlos Montezuma. Gentile raises him as his son. Carlos become a doctor and Native American Activist.

Capaldi tells his story through a series of letters written to a Smithsonian professor who was working on a book about American Indians. Capaldi includes an authors note as well as a comprehensive bibliography.

I really enjoyed this book. I like the way Capaldi chose to use Montezuma's letters to tell the story. The photographs are wonderful and add to the authenticity of the book. We see pictures of Yavapai dwellings, Apache Regalia, and Wassaja (Montezuma) and his sisters. Children will see Dr. Carlos Montezuma as an inspirational character who worked hard to become a doctor and courageously fought for Native American rights.

[Julie Tompkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a biography about Dr. Carlos Montezuma. This biography is written at a level where early elementary children could understand the content. This biography contains actual pictures and well illustrated pictures of Montezuma’s life. It explains the turmoil and suffering of the Native Americans in the 1800 and 1900s in a way that is sensitive to young children. It also explains the story of Montezuma’s life as a young Native American, as a slave, and as a student. It then goes on to explain his work of helping his people on Reservations. This book provides an accurate description of what life was like for Native Americans during the time period. This book could be used during a social studies lesson on Native American life after westward expansion.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-written and powerful story, this book follows the story of Dr. Carlos Montezuma and how he went from being sold as a slave at the age of five to being a renowned doctor and advocate for Native Americans. Along with the richly colored paintings, what impressed my most about the book was the way it incorporated lots of facts and research, while still keeping the narraters voice strong and consistent. Obviously the author was aided by the use of an autobiographical letter written by Dr. Montezuma, but the use of historical photos throughout the book helped ground the story.

[Eden Silverfox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a small biography of Carlos Montezuma. It's very well-written and has nice illustrations, as well as real pictures of Carlos.

I've never read about Carlos Montezuma before, but I'm glad now that I have, even if it was only short biography about him for children. The biography was taken from a letter about his life, which he wrote himself.

Carlos did a lot during his life and tried his best to help Native Americans. I really enjoyed reading about his life. This book was a great read.

[Karli Abels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audience: This book is suited for students around fourth grade. It would be suited for students of both genders. Students who have an interest in history or stories of true heros would be interested in this book.
Appeal: The format in which the book is wrote is appealing because it can be followed in chronological order. It is also appealing because it has illustrations and then actual photos on the sides of each page.
Application: I would use this book to discuss historical events and how they impacted families.
Award: This book was the Carter G. Woodson Elementary Honor in 2009.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written and well-researched book about Native doctor and leader, Carlos Montezuma. It does not gloss over the fact that he was kidnapped and sold as a slave, but I do question the use of the first person. This is based on a letter written by Montezuma, but it combines his own words and the author’s interpretation without distinction. It is definitely informative, but it could be hard for children to distinguish fact from embellishment. Really interesting combination of art and photography.

[Roxanne Hsu Feldman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is done really well. A gripping story, told mostly in the Doctor's own words, accompanied by gorgeous oil paintings and archival photographs on the sidebars. Informative and well documented.

Note to self:
p. 25 - caption: typo: i"defense was not his good punch bur rather he beginnings of a great education" -- should read "but rather"

[Christine Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story reveals the life of a Native American boy named Wassaja, who was kidnapped from his tribe and sold as a slave. Adopted and renamed Carlos Montezuma, the young boy traveled throughout the Old West, bearing witness to the poor treatment of Native Americans. Carlos eventually became a doctor and leader for his people. www.hcpl.net

Note: Yavapai Indians

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the photos and writing style used throughout the book. A good introduction to this interesting man who fought hard for civil rights for Native Americans and played a significant role in the establishment and retention of the Fort McDowell Reservation.

Definitely recommend.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

The biography of a little known civil rights advocate for Native Americans, this was an extensively researched and well presented book. Dr. Carlos Montezuma is an interesting character with a a past that few people would believe, though he is real. It's an eye opening look at what happened to Native Americans of the Southwest starting in the 1860s. Good biography.

[Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow this takes you back to pre civil war. This boy was abused and sold but what was the luck. He was sold to a man that wanted to help him. So he went from being another child in slaved to someone and he took this and made sure to changes lives and campaigned to help prevent this to happen to other kids.

[Benita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This tells of the life of Dr. Carlos Montezuma. Moving story of Wassaja's life; stolen from his tribe and sold into captivity to an doctor and activist for his people. A must read of American history.

Curricular connections: In Social Science for American history, Native American culture.