NIGHT BIRD

In the Once Upon America series, the affecting story of a young Seminole in the 1830's when, in response to pressure from land-hungry whites and angry slaveowners whose runaways had been protected by them, many Seminoles were removed to Indian Territory (Oklahoma). Night Bird's grandmother is matriarch of the Otter clan, split by the government's offer of land and safety in Oklahoma. In the best interests of the clan, Night Bird makes the heartrending decision to stay in Florida with her grandmother and a few others, rather than accompany her parents and siblings to Oklahoma. A coming-of-age story, skillfully interwoven with depictions of Seminole life in the Everglades, including beliefs, ceremonies, and the crucial role of oral tradition in sustaining the community. Illustrations not seen. (Fiction. 8-11)