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

A Boy Named Beckoning: The True Story of Dr. Carlos Montezuma, Native American Hero
Author/Illustrator: Gina Capaldi
Carolrhoda Books, 2008
32 Pages

Non-Fiction

I chose this book because it is rare that I run across books that thell success stories of Native Americans. The fact that this man was able make something of himself and return to help his people is wonderful.
Wassaja was sold as a slave after his village burned down. Fortunately, the man who bought him, Carlo Gentile, took him under his wing as a son instead of a slave. He was raised well and became a doctor. He went back to the reservations and fought for the Native Americans as long as he lived.
There are many earth tones used in the illustrating of this book. Very colorful pages fill the book and show each emotion. There are some photographs in the book, which were actually taken by Carlo Gentile, who was a photographer who traveled the United States.
I would choose this book for any grade above third-grade. This book is quite wordy, but has a great deal of very good information. It would be beyond the grasp of younger children.
This book would be perfect for students to study during a unit on Native Americans and the treatment they endured. It would be a refreshing read considering the very happy ending.
I have found no awards for this book.