Sneve, Virginia Driving Hawk. Enduring Wisdom, Sayings from Native Americans.
New York: Holiday House, 2003. ISBN 0-8234-1455-8 $16.95.
Enduring Wisdom is a collection of Native American quotes, sayings, and poetic
writings. The writings cover a wide range of natural, spiritual, historical, and other
thought-provoking themes. Native American wisdoms from prewritten history to modern
times are intermingled throughout the book to give the reader a varied view of the
American Indian culture. Many of the prewritten historical pieces have been translated
over time, and although they may not sound quite as melodious as the original verse, they
still convey the same significance.
The table of contents is divided into themes such as Mother Earth, War and Peace, and
Spirit Life. There is an author’s note explaining a little about Native American life and
the wisdom of time-honored sayings. The end notes contain works citations for almost
every page in the book. Each page is illustrated with bold, colorful patterns and pictures
depicting the illustrator’s view of Native American life.
Enduring Wisdom could easily be used in fourth or fifth grade language arts or social
studies classes. Younger children may miss some of the important poetic images and
allusions. This book would be excellent for a cross-curricular unit tying in poetry,
history, and our interdependence with nature.
Recommended
Possible SOL uses:
English (2002)
4.4 The student will read and demonstrate comprehension of fiction.
a) Explain the author’s purpose.
b) Describe how the choice of language, setting, and information contributes to
the author’s purpose.
e) Describe the relationship between text and previously read materials.
f) Identify sensory words.
English (2002)
4.7 The student will write effective narratives, poems, and explanations.
a) Focus on one aspect of a topic.
b) Develop a plan for writing.
c) Organize writing to convey a central idea.
f) Write rhymed, unrhymed, and patterned poetry.
History and Social Science (2001)
VS.1 The student will develop skills for historical and geographical analysis including
the ability to
d) draw conclusions and make generalizations;
e) make connections between past and present;
f) sequence events in Virginia history;
g) interpret ideas and events from different historical perspectives;
History and Social Science (2001)
VS.3 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the first permanent English settlement
in America by
g) describing the interactions between the English settlers and the Powhatan
people, including the contributions of the Powhatan to the survival of the settlers.
Science (2003)
4.5 The student will investigate and understand how plants and animals in an ecosystem
interact with one another and the nonliving environment. Key concepts include
f) influence of human activity on ecosystems.
English (2002)
5.4 The student will read fiction and nonfiction with fluency and accuracy.
a) Use context to clarify meaning of unfamiliar words.
b) Use knowledge of root words, prefixes, and suffixes.
c) Use dictionary, glossary, thesaurus, and other word-reference materials.
English (2002)
5.7 The student will demonstrate comprehension of information from a variety of print
resources.
a) Develop notes that include important concepts, summaries, and identification
of information sources.
b) Organize information on charts, maps, and graphs.
History and Social Science (2001)
USI.3 The student will demonstrate knowledge of how early cultures developed in North
America by
a) locating where the American Indians (First Americans) settled, with emphasis
on Arctic (Inuit), Northwest (Kwakiutl), Plains (Sioux), Southwest (Pueblo), and
Eastern Woodland (Iroquois);
b) describing how the American Indians (First Americans) used their environment
to obtain food, clothing, and shelter.
History and Social Science (2001)
USI.4 The student will demonstrate knowledge of European exploration in North
America and West Africa by
a) describing the motivations, obstacles, and accomplishments of the Spanish,
French, Portuguese, and English explorations;
b) describing cultural interactions between Europeans and American Indians
(First Americans) that led to cooperation and conflict;
Science (2003)
5.7 The student will investigate and understand how the Earth’s surface is constantly
changing. Key concepts include
f) human impact.
Reviewed by Dianna MacPherson, Fourth Grade Teacher, dmacpherson@hcps.us,
October 2006.
Sneve, Virginia Driving Hawk Enduring Wisdom: Sayings from American Indians.
Illustrated by Synthia Saint James. New York: Holiday House, Inc., 2003. ISBN:
08234144558. p32. $16.95.
“Enduring Wisdom: Sayings from American Indians” offers insightful quotations
from various Native American nations. Some of them are from historical people, such as
Cochise, Chief Joseph, and Pontiac and other quotations are from contemporary people.
Some of these quotes were passed down from generation to generation orally, either by
song or by conversation. The reader is often caught up in the wise but simplistic
quotation, “If all of us and all living things on the planet are to continue, we, who still
remember how we must live, must join together.” The boldly colored illustrations, which
are reminiscent of Jacob Lawrence, add to the understanding of the quotations.
This book should have great appeal to young readers because of the artwork as
well as the easy to read text, although, the book is recommended for ages five to eight,
the meanings of the quotes may escape the five or six year-old. The book is divided into
five major themes and the author has arranged the book so that only two or less quotes
appear on each page. The author gives credit to the speaker, as well as the nation that the
speaker belongs to, and the year that the words were spoken.
“Enduring Wisdom: Sayings from American Indians” is recommended but not
for the young readers of five to six year-olds but it may be appreciated by the ten to
twelve year- olds. The meanings of the quotations may not be easily understood by the
young reader.
This book is highly recommended for ten to twelve year-olds.
Possible SOL Connections:
English 4.1-Students will contribute to group discussions; and, seek ideas and opinions of
others.
English 4.2-Students will listen to information from others.
English 4.3-Students will explain words with multiple meanings.
English 4.4 and 5.5- Students will explain author’s purpose.
English 4.5 and 5.6-Students will draw conclusions, using information from text.
Reviewed by B. Ann Taylor, Social Studies Teacher (EDSL 503),
Skeeter3348@AOL.com, February 2005