Celebrate Native American Heritage by studying Joseph Bruchac, the Abenaki Indian author of Skeleton Man. Throughout Joseph Bruchac's short stories, poetry, picture books, and novels are echoes of the writer's Abenaki Indian heritage. In 2005, he was honored with the Virginia Hamilton Literary Award for his efforts to preserve Native American traditions, and bring to light issues of concern to contemporary Native cultures.
Start your author study by reading a short biography of Joseph Bruchac and reading his books. Then use the activities and lessons below to do an in-depth study of his most popular books. For more information about Bruchac and his books, visit Joseph Bruchac's Web site .
Then watch our June 2007 video interview . Here, Bruchac discusses his writing career. Learn how he got his start, where he finds inspiration, and how he researches and plans a new story. Bruchac also offers advice for young writers, and talks about his passions outside of writing.
Included Here:
- Articles (1)
- Collateral (14)
Articles
How To Choose The Best Multicultural Books
Get 50 great book recommendations, plus advice from top educators, writers, and illustrators on selecting multicultural literature.
Collateral
The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses Discussion Guide
"A [Native American] girl feels such kinship with the wild horses that she eventually becomes one of them. Both storytelling and art express the harmony with nature." – Horn Book.
Hidden Roots Booktalk
Nazi Germany wasn’t the only country to practice genetic purification, trying to wipe out an entire race of people.
Sacajawea Lesson Plan
Taken captive from her Shoshone people, married to a foreigner, and a mother by age 16, Sacajawea is chosen to join the Lewis and Clark expedition from the Mississippi to the Pacific Ocean.
Sacajawea Author's Note
Taken captive from her Shoshone people, married to a foreigner, and a mother by age 16, Sacajawea is chosen to join the Lewis and Clark expedition from the Mississippi to the Pacific Ocean.
Sacajawea Text Excerpt
Taken captive from her Shoshone people, married to a foreigner, and a mother by age 16, Sacajawea is chosen to join the Lewis and Clark expedition from the Mississippi to the Pacific Ocean.
The Journal of Jesse Smoke Text Excerpt
The terrors of the Trail of Tears are revealed through the fictionalized journals of Jesse Smoke, a Cherokee boy whose intelligence and diligence reflect the qualities of his people.
The Journal of Jesse Smoke Author's Note
The terrors of the Trail of Tears are revealed through the fictionalized journals of Jesse Smoke, a Cherokee boy whose intelligence and diligence reflect the qualities of his people.
Geronimo Booktalk
After years of standing against the U.S. government, the great warrior and spiritual leader Geronimo's life is coming to an end, as his grandson visits him where he is imprisoned, in Fort Sill, OK in 1908.
The Journal of Jesse Smoke Discussion Guide
The terrors of the Trail of Tears are revealed through the fictionalized journals of Jesse Smoke, a Cherokee boy whose intelligence and diligence reflect the qualities of his people
Joseph Bruchac Interview Transcript
The author Joseph Bruchac was interviewed by Scholastic students.
Code Talker Discussion Guide
After being taught in a boarding school run by whites that Navajo is a useless language, Ned Begay and other Navajo men are recruited by the Marines to become Code Talkers, sending messages during World War II in their native tongue.
Code Talker Extension Activity
After being taught in a boarding school run by whites that Navajo is a useless language, Ned Begay and other Navajo men are recruited by the Marines to become Code Talkers, sending messages during World War II in their native tongue.
Pocahontas Extension Activity
The experiences of Captain John Smith and eleven-year-old Pocahontas are contrasted in language that reflects the viewpoint of each speaker.
Pocahontas Discussion Guide
The experiences of Captain John Smith and eleven-year-old Pocahontas are contrasted in language that reflects the viewpoint of each speaker.
