Welcome to Kaya's World, 1764: Growing Up in a Native American Homeland

The American Girls Collection

by Dottie Raymer, Jodi Evert (Illustrator)

There was nothing Kaya liked better than to ride her beloved horse, Steps High, through the steep mountains, deep canyons, and high prairies of her beautiful homeland -- present-day Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. In 1764, Kaya dreamed of becoming a courageous leader for her people, ready to meet whatever the future might bring.

Inside this book you'll see what growing up was like before America became a country. Listen to legends that Kaya loved to hear, about a time before human beings walked the earth -- when animals could talk! Learn what it was like to live inside a snug tipi and ride horses from the time you were a baby. Most important, read about Nez Perce girls and women, who survived wars against their people, risked their lives to protect their traditions, and never, ever, lost their spirit.

From the back cover of the book.

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

68 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2003

Reviews

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kaya is a young girl who is a member of the Nimiipuu tribe. Today this tribe is known as the Nez Perce. The new name was given to this group by the French. This tribe resided in modern day Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. This nonfiction picture book chronicles what Kaya’s everyday life and land would have been like around 1764. The chapters include information that details Nimiipuu peoples’ villages, housing, chores, tools, and overall way of life.
I would choose to place this nonfiction picture book in my collection because it grabs readers’ attention and gives a lot of visual support with the new information. Female readers may be drawn to this text because it incorporates the American Girl Doll character Kaya. I don’t especially like the commercialism of the American Girl series, but if it puts nonfiction books in girls or boys hands I’m all for it. I really liked the detailed glossary of Nez Perce words that starts the book. The pronunciations that accompany the definitions were very helpful, and give students practice with using nonfiction text features. I also enjoyed all of the pictures and diagrams with extensive labels. They provide a lot of nonfiction information in a very accessible and not overwhelming way. I would recommend this book to ages 10-12 because of the vocabulary and small type face. In the classroom this could be used in fifth grade as a read aloud when studying the westward movement and Native American tribes. I would pair this text with others that share facts about other Native American tribes which would foster a comparing and contrasting of cultures. Overall I felt the book was well written and engaging for students visually and textually.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Welcome to Kaya's World 1764 is a rich introduction to the history of the Nez Perce tribe with plenty of color illustrations, pictures of Nez Perce artifacts, and black and white archival photos. Each chapter focuses on a different aspect of life in Nez Perce country in the mid 1700s. The chapters include a one paragraph explanation of the chapter's subject, with the remainder of the two-page layout dedicated to illustrations and captions that help give the reader a better understanding of what life was like for Kaya's people. For example, in "Life in the Longhouse" we see an illustration of what the inside of a Longhouse would look like, with numbered captions that explain the function of each aspect of the house. Also, scattered throughout the book are a few traditional Nez Perce stories.

I grabbed this book off of my daughter's book shelf (she has a large collection of various American Girl books). I was a little weary of a non-fiction history book from the American Girl Corporation, but I have to admit this book is very well done. The pictures and captions keep the reader engaged while imparting bits of information. The book is perfectly suited for it's intended audience (ages 9 to 12). While the book is part of the American Girl book collection, I think that boys would be equally interested in Welcome to Kaya's World (granted they'd have to get past the whole "American Girl" thing) as it tells of what life was like for men, women, boys, and girls.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love American Girl books. Especially when I learn from them. As an adult I particularly like the Looking Back sections for that reason. This book is like a book version of that and I love it. Lots of pictures and maps to help you visualize what’s being described. Lots of facts and fun things like Nez Perce legends and stories are found. Everything from lodging and food to hunting and games is discussed to learn about their way of life. As well as the history of the tribe’s interactions with Europeans and how their ways of life were almost destroyed. A lot of sad history. But history we must know.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating nonfiction look at American Girl Kaya's life and times. Gorgeous illustrations and close-up photographs highlight some of the craft work that went into shoes, beading, dresses, and more. A little whitewashed when it gets to Lewis and Clark, but until then, I learned quite a bit about the Nez Perce people.

[Liz C · Rating 5 out of 5]

The American Girl history books do a great job of giving you a glimpse into the lives of girls from numerous time periods. Kaya's book is especially good because it doesn't shy away from the mistreatment the Nez Perces experience in the 1800s. A decent amount of the book explains the injustices and then goes on to show how the Nez Perce culture is celebrated today through Kaya's would be descendants.

[Danae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always look forward to reading the "Looking Back" sections of these books and the "Welcome" books are expansions on that. I love reading about the real-life history behind the American Girl books and seeing the beautiful pictures. There are even some legends from Kaya's culture shared in here. Good stuff!

[Emily D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful informative and fascinating resource of information about the Nez Perce nation, their history and culture. This book ties background information into the historical fiction series about Kaya in the American Girl series. I loved learning while reading this book with my daughter who is also fascinated with the American Girl worlds and learning about Native American cultures.

[Sesana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mostly concentrates on Nez Perce life before European contact. The last chapter is a somewhat rushed account of all the ways that went horribly wrong. As usual, lots of great pictures and pretty well grounded historically.

[Kason Tibbs]

What I enjoyed most about this book was the images provided with the text. It felt as you were in a museum looking at all these historical artifacts that Kaya used every day and the things around her. This is a great book for students to learn about Native American Culture.

[cal · Rating 4 out of 5]

We love these books!

[Hanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are so cool
Learned about the tribe Kaya belonged to was interesting and I really liked reading the legends from the tribe

[Julia Kerrigan]

Next girls trip is IDAHO!!!!!!!!!! Nez Perce National Historical Park here I come

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

A surprisingly comprehensive overview of the Nez Perces, in Kaya's time and today. Lots of captioned color photographs and illustrations keep things lively. I appreciated the fact that the author made no attempt to gloss over the breathtaking injustices visited upon Native Americans and the suffering that they consequently endured.

[Annalise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting history stories and facts about Nez Peirce Indians.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good history, quick read.