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The Summer of the Bone Horses

Eddie had never been away from his mom and dad, so he was understandably anxious about spending several weeks living with his grandparents at the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota during the summer. Away from the comforts of the city, Eddie began to learn how his grandparents managed the farm and the surrounding land. After his grandpa gifted him a set of “bone horses,” he started to appreciate the rhythm of rural life with his Indigenous elders. He began to understand the stories his grandparents shared. Although they primarily spoke English, they also knew the Dakota language. Each task on the farm felt like a ceremony: from caring for Grandpa’s beloved horse, Buck, to gathering worms for fishing bait.

In the chapter book The Summer of the Bone Horses, Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve tells the story of her brother’s summer away from home in 1944, when he lived with their maternal grandparents on a reservation. Through a collaboration with Indigenous artist Steph Littlebird, the book vividly captures his journey from isolation to appreciation for his grandparents’ quiet, self-sufficient, and dignified way of life. Affirming Native identity and culture, the story encourages young readers of all backgrounds to respect and preserve Indigenous traditions and their deep connection to the land.

Editor's Note: This review was originally published in Los Angeles Book Review.

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