Sing Down the Moon
by Scott O’Dell

Scott O’Dell is well known for his contributions to the historical fiction genre. Though the books are written for a younger audience, readers of all ages will be moved by images and emotions that his writing provokes. Sing Down the Moon is no exception to this rule.

Sing Down the Moon follows the story of Bright Morning a young Navajo girl living in the Canyon de Chelly in Arizona during the mid 1860’s. During these times Native Americans faced many trials and tribulations from all fronts. From the Spanish slavers who captured any and all Indian girls they could find to sell into slavery, to the United States soldiers who were bound and determined to strip them of their land. Scott O’Dell does a marvelous job of capturing the feel of the era and drawing the readers into the story. The story is told from a first person narrative which only helps to draw the reader in deeper and gives the reader a sense of truly being there.

Scott O’Dell also took clear advantage of the abilities of a first person narrative by delving deeper into the culture of the Navajo. An example of this is the detail and attention that O’Dell, through Bright Morning, is able to pay to the coming of age ceremony known as a Kin-nadl-dah. Although I had, had this ceremony explained to me before I did not quite grasp all of the purposes and history behind each part of it. Reading and experiencing the Kin-nadl-dah through Bright Morning’s perspective allowed me to fully grasp the significance of the ceremony and to appreciate it better. This is something that woud have been much harder to do had the story not been told in the first person perspective.

Besides getting a feel for how the time and the way of life was for Bright Morning and her people, Scott O’Dell does a remarkable job of passing on a bit of history while at the same time bringing the characters to life. In most books and textbooks Native Americans, particularly the Navajo and Apache, are dehumanized and villianized. O’Dell’s style of writing, depiction of realistic events, and portrayal of characters and culture do a remarkable job weave a truthful tale that both moves and captivates the reader. As you see Bright Morning and her people forced to endure The Long Walk you will be hard pressed not to feel their pain and suffering and righteous anger at the atrocities dealt to these people.

History exists so that we may learn from it and the goal is not to repeat it. Scott O’Dell’s Sing Down the Moon is an excellent piece to read and learn from. A true gem to the Historical Fiction genre.

Joana’s review: