Ahyoka and the Talking Leaves

by Peter Roop, Connie Roop, Yoshi Miyake (Illustrator)

A fictional recreation of the life of Ahyoka, a young Cherokee who worked with her exiled father to help him create Cherokee syllabary, the only written language ever invented by a single person.

Genres: Childrens, Native American

60 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1992

About the author

Peter Roop is an award-winning author and educator who has written over one hundred children’s books including biographies, novels, humor, picture books, and science books. Seven of his books are Reading Rainbow books, including the Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie. In 2013, the Wisconsin Library Association recognized Peter and his wife, Connie Roop, as Notable Wisconsin Authors for their body of work, and Peter has been named a Wisconsin State Teacher of the Year. The Roops live in Appleton, Wisconsin.

Reviews

[Miss Amanda]

gr 3-5 52 pgs


1810s/1820s, Alabama. Everyone except Ahyoka thinks that her father Sequoyah is wasting his time trying to create an alphabet for Cherokee language. Ahyoka determined to help him succeed.

Interesting, quick read.

[Elizabeth McDowell]

Awesome story for elementary aged kids

Great book to read in November for Native American Heritage month . Easy to read , dialogue was nice but not too dense . 8-13yr old would be my target age for this reading solo but aloud you could do segments in pre k -K

[Faith]

This is one of my favorite books from when I was a kid. I decided to read it because I was thinking about it for a while. it's definitely for kids, but I love the story and it gives more to the imagination of the Cherokee language becoming a written language. I will read this and if I take care of kids ever, let them read it.

[Caleb]

I would especially suggest this book to parents with young children, they will absolutely love it!

[Sara Tiede]

Good grade level reading for the topic, and dramatically engaging for the target age. Well written fictionalized account of the creation of the Cherokee alphabet.

[Cws]

JEAR3-Roo

[Roger]

It's historical fiction about how Sequoyah and his daughter created a written Cherokee language. Surprised to learn that Oklahoma was almost named Sequoyah in honor of him. At least he got majestic redwoods (sequoias) and the Sequoyah National Park.