Dear Miss Karana - by Eric Elliott (Paperback)

About the Book

First written in Chamtéela and developed in accordance with fourth grade Common Core State Standards, Dear Miss Karana tells a compelling story of family, determination, and cultural perseverance.

Book Synopsis

First written in Chamtéela and developed in accordance with fourth grade Common Core State Standards, Dear Miss Karana tells a compelling story of family, determination, and cultural perseverance.

While reading Island of the Blue Dolphins at school and learning about the real woman stranded on San Nicolás Island, ten-year-old Tíshmal begins writing emails to "Miss Karana" in hopes of talking to her spirit. When she arrived on the mainland of Southern California, Miss Karana spoke a language that no one could understand even back then, and all that remains is a recording of the song she sang when she was found on the island. Tíshmal realizes that some of the words sound very similar to Chamtéela (Luiseño), the language spoken on her reservation.

As she writes to Miss Karana, Tíshmal becomes more and more resolved to understand the lone woman's song. The only person able to help her is a grouchy great uncle, Wéh Powéeya ("two tongues"), the last living person fluent in the language of their ancestors from the belly button of the ocean: the islands including San Nicolás. Together, Tíshmal and Wéh Powéeya must discover what the lone woman said long ago in order to help her spirit finish the journey West.

Review Quotes

Silver Medal, 2017 Independent Publishers Book Award (Multicultural Fiction-Juvenile/YA)

Finalist, 2016 Foreword INDIES

About the Author

Villiana Hyde 'angáayi 1987nga potéelay Eric Elliott poşúnnga nivénnax. Raymond Basquez, Nax., po'ohó'vani 'angáayi 2001nga Elliott poşúnnga nivénnax. 'ivím wéhchum 'á'wolum şumil 'iví' 'áa'alvish 'amáayum pomkwáan popúuchi poróv'orax, şóo'mokwichi yámminik Elliott pomáangay. Elliottup húu'unikat. Pokí' şé'q móomat poháylonga néshkin, Poşúuyinga néshkin.

(Villiana Hyde began teaching the Chamtéela language to Eric Elliott in 1987. In 2001, Raymond Basquez Sr. began sharing his faith with Elliott. It was these two elders who planted the seeds that have since blossomed into Elliott's present venture into children's literature. Elliott is a teacher. He lives near the coast, in the San Diego area.)