Module 4 Book 3 American Indian Youth Literature Award

A. Bibliography
Medicine Crow, Joseph. 2006. Counting Coup: Becoming a chief on the reservation and beyond. Washington,DC:National Geographic Society. ISBN: 0792253914.

B.Plot Summary

Joseph Medicine Crow recounts his life as a modern day member of the Crow tribe,his childhood, and his exploits during World War II.

C. Critical Analysis ( Including cultural markers.)

"When I was born on October 27, 1913,there were no doctors or nurses around with their instruments, just a medicine woman, who specialized in child delivery. With incense of burning cedar and singing of sacred songs, I came into the world. I was singing too, but they probably thought I was wailing." So begans the utterly compelling journey of contemporary Crow chief,Joseph Medicine Crow,as he tells readers of his childhood, education, and recounts the four war deeds he performed to become chief.

Along the way , the reader is steeped in the specific culture of the Whistling Water Clan of the Crow Nation. Many celebrations are detailed including a meeting of the Sioux and the Crow in 1919. Medicine Crow also describes the special celebrations that he missed upon his return from World War II. His mother was to have spread a stack of new Pendleton blankets on the floor of the train depot. These blankets would have reached some 60 feet away to some singers that would accompany Joseph Medicine Crow in a dance.( In a wonderful story that clearly places the events within modern times, Medicine Crow misses his train and his ceremony because he is chowing down at Louie's Hamburgers.)

In addition to the celebrations, the names of the characters are prominent in the story. Joseph Medicine Crow mentions his grandparents, The Yellow Tails,as well as his great grandmother Bear That Stays by The Side of the River and his stepfather, White Man Runs Him. All his important relatives are named and in some cases, their names are explained.

Readers can see the physical attributes of the narrator while looking at the color photographs in the book. In the most recent photo, Medicine Crow is a contemporary, though elderly, chief who has on eye glasses while wearing his traditonal regalia at a recent Crow Fair. Historical pictures and postcards of his parents and his cousin Agnes Yellow Tail are also included. The older photos are shot in a very respectful way.

This is a fast-paced riveting autobiography that depicts an Indian living today, his family, his history, and his many adventures. The writing style is reminiscent of a grandfather telling his grandkids about his rollicking life and should prove to be very popular among young and older readers.

D. Review Excerpts



Junior Literary Guild Selection
2008 American Indian Youth Literature Award Winner

School Library Journal:"Using large printand short chapters, this informative yet entertaining read just might inspire children to interview their elders and write their stories."
Booklist:
Medicine Crow's straightforward style and gentle humor make his recollections easy to read and hard to forget, and they provide a cultural context and understanding that is rare in books about American Indians for middle readers.

E. Connections

Learn about other contemporary and historical Indian voices. Have the class read aloud from:
Singer, Beverly R. and Hirschfelder, Arlene B. Rising Voices :Writings of Young Native Americans. ISBN: 0684192071.
or
Sneve, Virginia Driving Hawk. Dancing Teepees:poems of American Indian Youth.Illustrated by Stephen Gammell. ISBN: 0823407241

Read other historical accounts of Indian childhoods in the book by
Gleason, Katherine, Native American Literature. ISBN: 079102477.