TITLE: Wilma’s Way Home, the Life of Wilma Mankiller
AUTHOR: Doreen Rappaport
ILLUSTRATOR: Linda Kukuk
PUBLISHER: Disney/Hyperion, 2019
SYNOPSIS:
As a child in Oklahoma, Wilma Mankiller experienced the Cherokee practice of Gadugi, helping each other, even when times were hard for everyone. But in 1956, the federal government uprooted her family and moved them to California, wrenching them from their home, friends, and traditions. Separated from her community and everything she knew, Wilma felt utterly lost until she found refuge in the Indian Center in San Francisco. There, she worked to build and develop the local Native community and championed Native political activists. She took her two children to visit tribal communities in the state, and as she introduced them to the traditions of their heritage, she felt a longing for home.
Returning to Oklahoma with her daughters, Wilma took part in Cherokee government. Despite many obstacles, from resistance to female leadership to a life-threatening accident, Wilma’s courageous dedication to serving her people led to her election as the first female chief of the Cherokee Nation. As leader and advocate, she reinvigorated her constituency by empowering them to identify and solve community problems.
WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THIS BOOK : Being part Cherokee myself, I was aware that Wilma Mankiller was the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation for many years. What I didn’t know is how she rose to such a position of power. Author, Doreen Rappaport, writes a very compelling story about Wilma’s life growing up in Oklahoma all the way to being the head of an entire nation. She had many obstacles to overcome. From prejudices among strangers once her family was forced to move to California, to obstacles from others within the Cherokee Nation itself as she rose to power. Illustrator, Linda Kukuk, helps breathe life into Ms. Rappaport’s story with strong, visually appealing artwork. A great addition to any library!
RATING: *****5 Stars*****
RATING SYSTEM
1 star…probably not worth your time.
2 stars…there are some things to like but some elements could have been stronger.
3 stars…this story w5ill appeal to some readers, but others might find it lacking something.
4 stars…strong story, nice illustrations, and should grab the attention of many readers.
5 stars…superbly written story, stellar illustrations, a must addition to any book lovers’ collection!
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Fox is set to cook a nice meal until the main ingredient tries to escape! The chase is on as Fox and his friends scurry, hop, and lumber their way to catching those rumbly, tumbly taters. Friendship and teamwork go hand in hand during THE GREAT POTATO RACE!
Hybrid published author, Donna L Martin, has been writing since she was eight years old. She is a 4th Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo by day and a ‘ninja’ writer of flash fiction, children’s picture books, chapter books, young adult novels and inspirational essays by night. Donna offers occasional BOOK NOOK REVIEWS of great children’s books and offers WRITERLY WISDOM to new and established writers. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, Alliance of Independent Authors, and Children’s Book Insider. Donna loves dark chocolate, going to the beach and adding to her growing book collection.
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