Jim Thorpe’s Bright Path

By Joseph Bruchac, S. D. Nelson
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A biography of the legendary Native American Jim Thorpe (1888–1953), voted the Greatest Football Player and Greatest Athlete of the Half-Century by two AP polls, focusing on his early childhood and how school and sports shaped his future.

Front cover for The Story of All-Star Athlete Jim Thorpe by Joseph Bruchac and S. D. Nelson
This book is also available in English
The Story of All-Star Athlete Jim Thorpe
By Joseph Bruchac, S. D. Nelson

Description

From the day he was born, Jim Thorpe’s parents knew he was special. As the light shone on the road to the family’s cabin, his mother gave Jim another name – Wa-tho-huck – “Bright Path.”

Jim’s athletic skills were evident early on, as he played outdoors and hunted with his father and twin brother. When the boys were sent to Indian boarding school, Jim struggled in academics but excelled in sports. Jim moved from school to school over the years, overcoming family tragedies, until his athletic genius was recognized by Coach Pop Warner at the Carlisle Indian School.

From the award-winning team of Joseph Bruchac and S. D. Nelson comes an inspiring biography of the young person behind the world-renowned athlete. Thorpe’s story of determination and perseverance will resonate with every child who dreams of finding his or her own bright path.

About the Creators

Joseph Bruchac

Joseph Bruchac, a citizen of the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation, is the author of more than 100 books for children and teens, including multiple picture books published by Lee & Low Books, and the young adult Killer of Enemies trilogy, which received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews. A Rockefeller Fellow and an NEA Poetry Writing Fellow, Bruchac has received numerous recognitions and awards over his long-standing career. In addition to writing, Bruchac is an editor at Greenfield Review Press, a literary publishing house he co-founded with his wife. He lives in Greenfield Center, New York. To find out more about him, visit josephbruchac.com.

S. D. Nelson
S. D. Nelson

S.D. Nelson is an award-winning illustrator, whose work includes Lee & Low's Crazy Horse's Vision, Jim Thorpe's Bright Path, and Quiet Hero. He is also the author and illustrator of many picture book stories inspired by the traditions of his Lakota heritage--including Gift Horse, winner of the Parents' Choice Award, and The Star People, an Oppenheim Gold Award winner. A former middle school art teacher, Nelson is now a full-time artist whose paintings are held in both private and public collections. He is of Lakota (Sioux) descent and lives with his wife in Chandler, Arizona. Visit him online at sdnelson.net.

Awards

  • Carter G. Woodson Award

    National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS)

  • Teachers' Choices

    International Literacy Association (ILA)

  • CCBC Choices

    Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)

  • Best of the Best Books

    Chicago Public Library

Reviews

  • "The creators of Crazy Horse's Vision (2000) offer another inspiring American portrait, again focusing on their subject's youth and extraordinary accomplishments. . . Finished with a career recap, plus a discussion of the long effort to restore Thorpe's confiscated medals. . . young readers in need of a role model could hardly do better."

    - Kirkus Reviews
  • "Jim Thorpe's Bright Path does a masterful job of showing readers both the tough challenges and the persistent spirit of Jim Thorpe."

    - Mamiverse

Paperback

  • ISBN 9781600603402
  • Price $12.95
  • Publication Date Dec 04, 2004
  • Trim Size 10.25 × 9 × 1 in
  • Weight 0.4375 lbs
  • Page Count 40
  • Word Count 2387
  • Hardcover

  • ISBN 9781584301660
  • Price $18.95
  • Publication Date Dec 04, 2004
  • Trim Size N/A
  • Weight 1 lbs
  • Word Count 2387
  • Interests

  • Imprint Lee & Low Books
  • Audience Children
  • BISAC Category 1 JNF / Biography & Autobiography / Sports & Recreation
  • BISAC Category 2 JNF / People & Places / United States / Native American
  • BISAC Category 3 JNF / Sports & Recreation / Olympics
  • Themes Biography / Memoir, Childhood Experiences and Memories, Civil Rights Movement, Coping with Death, Courage, Discrimination, Dreams & Aspirations, Education, Friendship, History & Civics, Identity / Self Esteem / Confidence, Indigenous / First Nations / Native American, Informational / Expository Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Occupations, Overcoming Obstacles, Persistence / Grit, Pride, Self Control / Self Regulation, Siblings, Sports, Sports History, United States History
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 6 - 11
  • Grade Range Grades 1 - 6
  • Guided Reading T
  • ATOS Book Level 5.5
  • DRA 44
  • Interest Level Grades 1 - 6
  • Lexile Code AD
  • Lexile Level 870
  • Reading Level 4
  • SRC 5.2
  • Bebop Reading Fluent
  • This Book is Included in These Collections:

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