Indian Shoes: a modern-day NativeVoices snapshot

Indian Shoes is an award-winning, short chapter book (under 70 pages), written by Cynthia Leitich Smith and the cover art is by Sharon Irla and the interior illustrations are by Marybeth Timothy.  It's a must-have addition to any library or classroom collection.  Although it's slim in length, it's full of snapshots of life between a Ray Halfmoon, a Cherokee-Seminole boy and his Grampa, who is raising him.  Each chapter is a different time when Ray learns from and appreciates his Grampa.  Smith writes with humor while authentically conveying the values and beliefs of the characters.  

When reading this with others, I like to preview the chapter names to try to predict what they will be about.  By the time the chapter titled, "The Accident," came up, I had already fallen in love with the characters and wanted nothing bad to happen to the them!  Fortunately, my daughter reminded me that not all accidents were bad and that, perhaps, something positive will result from this chapter's mishap--which thankfully, it does!

Another interesting feature about this book are the detailed illustrations that enhance the stories.  Smith writes with impeccable detail and the pictures add to the comfortable feel of them.  Reading this book is like wrapping yourself up in a cozy blanket and allowing the caring relationship evoked in the story to encompass your mind.  That positive feeling goes beyond Ray and Grampa as they go out into their community and bring that spirit out into Chicago, which they call the steel and stone city, and to their homeland in Oklahoma.  Readers will connect with Ray's innocence, love for animals, sports, art and making his Grampa proud.

The title of the book, Indian Shoes, is the opening chapter and it is perfect to introduce the characters, their community, and what it means to be "Indian" by today's standards.  There is an important interaction with a librarian & as a librarian myself, I cheered for what resulted!  This provides an opportunity to discuss with readers the stereotyping that often goes with the portrayal of Native people and how we have the power to change that.

A readalike for this book is Cynthia Rylant's The Islander.  They are both short, yet impactful reads.  Both boys have lost their parents and live with their grandfathers who mean the world to them.  But Indian Shoes is realistic fiction while The Islander has fantasy involved.  Both of these are excellent read alouds and book club books for lower elementary grades and up.  There is much to discuss and love about them!

 

For more educational resources click on the picture below to go to Smith's website and download the activities.  I especially love the Reader's Theater script for "Don't Forget the Pants"!