CHEROKEE SUMMER

An engaging look at the history, traditional culture, and current way of life of our second-largest Native American group, narrated by Bridget, a ten-year-old from northeastern Oklahoma. Beginning with the ``Trail of Tears'' (the removal of the Cherokees from their Eastern homelands), the book describes present-day tribal organization and introduces Bridget's family and the traditional skills practiced by her grandparents. There's an interesting discussion of the Cherokee language, with a display of its graceful syllabary and several Cherokee words, and a legend about a boastful possum; the author also highlights the stomp dance, an important ceremonial gathering. An excellent addition to this team's highly regarded series of photoessays on ethnic groups (Hoang Anh: A Vietnamese-American Boy, 1992). Many good color photos; map; glossary; index. (Nonfiction. 7-11)