A Boy Called Slow by Joseph Bruchac

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bruchac, Joseph.  1994. A BOY CALLED SLOW: THE TRUE STORY OF SITTING BULL. Ill. by Rocco Baviera.  New York:  Philomel Books.  ISBN 0399226923

PLOT SUMMARY

The Lakota Sioux band often gave their children names based on the way they acted.  A child born to the great warrior known as Returns Again to Strike the Enemy is given the name "Slow" because of his deliberate and precise movements; it often took him longer to complete tasks than the other children.  Wanting a stronger name, and to make his father proud, Slow becomes skilled in riding and hunting.  Slow finally proves his strength and bravery when he is the first to attack the enemy Crow tribe as it approaches Slow's homeland.  After the tribe's victory, Slow's bravery is recognized by tribal elders and he is given the new, powerful name "Sitting Bull."

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Joseph Bruchac  introduces young readers to "one of the greatest of all the Lakota warriors," Sitting Bull in the story A BOY CALLED SLOW, which celebrates the Hunkpapa band of the Lakota Sioux.  As readers turn the pages of this true story, the text reveals the link to the Lakota Sioux language when Bruchac uses several words and phrases throughout the story.  To help young readers distinguish what the words and phrases mean, Bruchac has the characters provide a brief translation in English.  For example, young readers learn that "tiyospaye" means tribal extended family, "wasicun"  stands for the white man, and  "Nihwa hwo?" means "Are you sleepy?"  These easy to understand descriptions allow readers to easily make the connection between the English and Sioux language used.

Other cultural markers used in Bruchac's story can be found in the names of the characters.  Slow's father is respected as the a great Sioux warrior, and has been given the name Returns Again to Strike the Enemy because of his fearlessness in combat against the Crow, the Sioux's enemy tribe.  Slow's uncle is given the name Four Horns, and he tells his young nephew how horses were brought to their tribe.   Bruchac also brings authenticity to Sitting Bull's story though the passage of time.  Whereas nowadays time is referred to in years, the Lakota Sioux mark time through the passage of winters.  As the story unfolds, Slow reaches his "seventh winter," Bruchac refers to events "two winters ago," and when Slow has seen "fourteen winters," he is ready to enter into battle alongside his father.   This reference to winter allows young readers to see how the change of seasons, specifically winter, was critical to the Lakota Sioux's livelihood.

The significance and reverence given to animals by the Lakota Sioux tribe is presented throughout the story.  Slow's uncle Four Horns tells how Wakan-Tanka, the Creator, brought the horse, known as Shoong-Ton'kah (The Spirit Dog) to the tribe to help "pull our travois and hunt buffalo" and are "as faithful as our dogs but able to pull our loads and carry us as quick as the whirlwind into the hunt."  Reverence to animals is also described as young readers learn of the Lakota Sioux's spirituality with nature: "Slow knew that many of his Lakota people could speak with the birds and animals, and hear their speech as clearly as human words; and the animals understood them, as well."  This is further emphasized in poignant scene in the story in which Slow's father speaks to a buffalo bull: "Returns again listens carefully as the buffalo spoke, for the words it spoke were names... They were powerful names."  Young readers later find out that this important event will provide Slow with the name "Sitting Bull" after he proves his bravery and strength to his tribe.  

Adding to the text's authenticity are Rocco Baviera's bold, dark acrylic oil painted illustrations.  Dark shades of black, purple, and navy blue are used to create mystical, outdoor night scenes in which the Lakota Sioux Indians speak with the birds and animals, tell great tales of the Spirit Dog's arrival, and speak with the great buffalo.  Baviera's adds splashes of burnt orange and neutral brown colors to bring the elements of Earth and nature into the story.  As young readers turn the pages, they see Slow's face illuminated by the flames of a small campfire, and the moon's light reflected in the Lakota Sioux warriors' headdresses adorned with white feathers.  These scenes help capture the spiritual significance of young Slow's journey into manhood.  Baviera does not add distinct facial features to any of the human or animal characters throughout the story, which allows young readers to imagine the scene in their own minds.  It isn't until the final page of book that the audience finally sees a clear image of Sitting Bull, "one of the greatest of all the Lakota warriors."

REVIEWS AND AWARDS:

PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY: "Bruchac's meaty yet cohesive narrative is richly complemented by Baviera's large, atmospheric paintings. Employing a somber palette marked by radiant bursts, the first-time children's illustrator evokes the solemnity and awe of ripening adulthood. Satisfying for its attention to historical and multicultural issues; stirring in its consummate storytelling."

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "The illustrations, oils that are rich and somber, convey details of traditional Lakota life, from the warm, close interiors of the family home to a pre-dawn assembly of warriors about to raid their Crow neighbors. The text creates an equally subtle portrayal of Plains Indian life."

BOOKLIST: "In brilliant counterpoint to the story's emotional timelessness is Baviera's vision of the Lakotas as spiritually and culturally distant from us. His dark acrylics punctuated by the unexpected pastels of diminished sunlight--purple snow, turquoise smoke, orange skies--is at once mythic and melancholy in its portrayal of a vanished culture."

CONNECTIONS

Have students read more about Sitting Bull and the Lakota Sioux tribe.

Trumbauer, Lisa.  SITTING BULL. ISBN 0736823719

Collier, James Lincoln.  THE SITTING BULL YOU NEVER KNEW.  ISBN 9780516243443

Shaughnessy, Diane.  SITTING BULL: COURAGEOUS SIOUX CHIEF.  ISBN 9780823951093