Home to Medicine Mountain

By Chiori Santiago, Judith Lowry
Paperback: $12.95

Two young Maidu Indian brothers sent to live at a government-run Indian residential school in California in the 1930s find a way to escape and return home for the summer.

Description

Two young brothers are separated from their family and sent to live in a government-run Indian residential school in the 1930s-an experience shared by generations of Native American children throughout North America. At these schools, children were forbidden to speak their Indian languages and made to unlearn their Indian ways. Sadly, they were often not able to go home to their families for summer vacation.

Native American artist Judith Lowry based this story on the experiences of her father and her Uncle Stanley. Judith and author Chiori Santiago tenderly relate how Stanley and Benny Len found their way home by train one summer. Inspired by their dreams of home and the memories of their grandmother’s stories, the boys embark on an adventurous journey from the harsh residential school to their triumphant welcome home at Susanville, California, in the shadow of Yo-Tim Yamne (Medicine Mountain).

About the Creators

Chiori Santiago

Chiori Santiago was an accomplished journalist who wrote for national magazines about the art, music and family life of people from many parts of the world. Always active in community affairs, she was also an arts and music commentator for public television and radio. Chiori died in 2007.

Judith Lowry black and white headshot. Judith has a blunt bob with bangs, hoop earrings, and a turtleneck shirt.
Judith Lowry

Judith Lowry is a nationally exhibited painter of Mountain Maidu, Hamawi Pit-River, and Australian descent. Considered one of California’s premiere contemporary Native American artists, she is inspired by the stories passed down in her family. Judith lives in Nevada City, California.

Awards

  • American Book Award

    Before Columbus Foundation

Reviews

  • "The artist and author have brought a little-known chapter of history to children's attention, and have done so in an appealing way. The colorful paintings and intelligent text tell a loving story. . . A welcome title."

    - School Library Journal

  • "Poetic drawings illustrate both the excitement of the adventure and the spiritual side of the boys' life, as the elements of their culture call to them. Winning readers' sympathies from the outset is the comparison of the clocks, classrooms, and uniforms of boarding school with indigenous customs. . . The ending is perfect."

    - Kirkus Reviews

Paperback

  • ISBN 9780892391769
  • Price $12.95
  • Publication Date Apr 01, 2013
  • Trim Size 8.5 × 9.75 in
  • Weight 0.3125 lbs
  • Page Count 32
  • Word Count 2216

    • Interests

  • Imprint Children's Book Press
  • Audience Children
  • BISAC Category 1 JUV / People & Places / United States / Native American
  • BISAC Category 2 JUV / Historical / United States / 20th Century
  • BISAC Category 3 JUV / School & Education
  • Themes Childhood Experiences and Memories, Collaboration, Conflict resolution, Courage, Discrimination, Dreams & Aspirations, Education, Environment / Nature, Families, Fiction, Friendship, Grandparents, Heroism, History & Civics, Home, Identity / Self Esteem / Confidence, Indigenous / First Nations / Native American, Overcoming Obstacles, People In Motion, Persistence / Grit, Pride, Protest, Responsibility, Self Control / Self Regulation, Siblings, Social & Emotional Learning, United States History

    • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 8 - 10
  • Grade Range Grades 3 - 5
  • Guided Reading P
  • ATOS Book Level 4.1
  • DRA 38
  • Interest Level Grades 3 - 5
  • Lexile Level 620
  • Reading Level Grades 3 - 4
  • SRC 3.5
  • Bebop Reading Fluent

    • Resources

    Home to Medicine Mountain Teacher’s Guide
    Home to Medicine Mountain Teacher’s Guide

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