Shoshone: Pine Nut Harvesters of the Great Basin FROM THE PUBLISHER
A Shoshone boy climbs to the top of a tall pinyon tree. He is covered with sticky, black pitch. He hangs on tightly and shakes the branches. Pinecones pour down to the ground. Girls waiting below scramble to fill their baskets with pinecones. They bring the filled baskets back to camp, where women cook the pine nuts in warm pits. The heat opens up the pinecones, revealing a tasty pine nut inside it. These pine nuts will keep the Shoshone from hunger during the cold winter.
FROM THE CRITICS
Children's Literature - Bruce Adelson, J.D.
The American Indians remain among our country's most forgotten peoples. Although they are true Native Americans, living here when European settlers first arrived, most of us know little about their history, customs and traditions. This book, one of the publisher's ten title series about Indians called "America's First Peoples," is an admirable attempt to address this knowledge gap. The book details the Shoshone Indians, who today live primarily in the Mountain West region of the United States, mostly in Nevada. The author focuses on the Shoshones' traditional pine nut harvest, where tribal members historically gathered in the fall to harvest nuts from the pinecones found in pinyon pine trees. Dancing and musical celebrations have also been a central part of this festival. There is much here to interest young readers—eye-catching graphics and sidebars, directions in how to play the Shoshone Hand and Stick Game, and instructions in how to make a child-friendly version of Shoshone beads. Although the author could have devoted more time to a wider discussion of Shoshone history and culture instead of spending so much time writing about the pine nut tradition, she has nevertheless crafted an excellent book that will be an ideal addition to any library. 2004, Blue Earth Books/Capstone Press, Ages 8 to 12.
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