The Summer of the Bone Horses - by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Homesick at the thought of staying with his grandparents for the summer, Lakota Eddie quickly adjusts to life on the reservation, embracing new experiences and bonding with his family"--

Book Synopsis

A Lakota child spends a summer with grandparents at their home on the Rosebud Reservation in this young chapter book, illustrated in full-color

This charming chapter book follows a present-day Lakota child connecting with extended family, embracing new experiences, and growing up along the way.

When Eddie's parents drive from the Black Hills to the Dakota plains to drop him off with Grandpa and Grandma High Elk, Eddie aches all over at the thought of being away from Mom and Dad for the first time.

But quickly, Eddie's stay on the Rosebud Reservation becomes a summer that he'll never forget as he spends his days riding horses, fishing, helping Grandma in her garden, and playing with the toy bone horses that his grandfather gave him. When his grandfather is hurt and needs medical attention, Eddie steps up and helps him get the care he needs.

Review Quotes

***STARRED REVIEW***
"Inspired by family experiences, Driving Hawk Sneve (Sicangu Lakota) weaves a captivating tale about the healing power of community and familial bonds. Her narrative unfolds at a perfect pace, wringing joy from simple moments...Littlebird's (Oregon's Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde) bold, colorful, and textured images reflect Eddie's determined spirit...Infused with tenderness, this family story is simply lovely."--Kirkus Reviews

***STARRED REVIEW***
"Sneve (Rosebud Sioux) crafts a gentle chapter book tale of an Indigenous youth immersing himself in his heritage and learning from his elders. Seamlessly layered plotting builds to a captivating climax, and vivid colored pencil and digitally enhanced drawings with block print textures by Littlebird (Oregon Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde) inject warmth throughout."--Publishers Weekly

"Tender moments between the three characters, their loyal dog, and their lovable horse are interspersed with action-filled experiences. Littlebird's full-color illustrations are bright, engaging, and atmospheric. Young readers and their grownups are sure to delight in this tale that highlights the beauty of intergenerational relationships, Indigenous language, and life on the Rosebud reservation."--Booklist

About the Author

Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve is an award-winning author (whose accolades include the National Humanities Medal) and a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe (Sicangu Lakota) who was raised on the Rosebud Indian Reservation. She has published over 20 books on South Dakota history, indigenous American history, poetry, fiction, and nonfiction works for children. Her picture book The Christmas Coat: Memories of My Sioux Childhood was named a Smithsonian magazine's Best Children's Books of 2011. Driving Hawk Sneve taught in the public school system for a number of years. She lives in South Dakota. Steph Littlebird is an Indigenous artist, writer, curator, and a member of Oregon's Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. Her work combines traditional aesthetics with contemporary materials and subject matter to forge connections between our collective past and imminent future. Littlebird received national recognition as curator of This IS Kalapuyan Land (2020) an exhibition at the Five Oaks Museum in Portland, which was featured by ArtNews and PBS NewsHour. She currently lives in Las Vegas, NV.