BAMBOO PEOPLE: A NOVEL by Mitali Perkins

Bibliography
Perkins, Mitali. 2010. Bamboo People: A Novel. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge.

Plot Summary
Chiko is a Burmese teenager whose father has been taken to prison under suspicion of being a traitor to the government. It is not long after that Chiko is kidnapped by the Burmese government to fight in the army against the native Karenni people. Tu Reh is a Karenni refugee living on the Thailand border. Although the boys are on opposite sides of the fight, their lives converge unexpectedly.

Critical Analysis
Perkins tells a powerful story about the crisis in Burma by providing two sides of a story, that of a Burmese boy forced by corrupt military officials to fight in the army as well as the story of a Karenni boy willfully joining in the fight against the Burmese to resist the government’s taking of their land, homes, and other civil rights. The story is told in two parts, in which the first part develops Chiko’s story and the second is Tu Reh’s. Chiko’s character is developed wonderfully, and it seems as if Tu Reh’s character is not developed as well as Chiko’s although the intention is to make readers sympathetic to both. However, both characters achieve significant emotional growth throughout the novel. Chiko learns the true meaning of friendship by putting his own life in danger in place of another. Tu Reh comes to realize that the enemy is also a human being with family, fears, and kindnesses just like everyone else. These lessons are universal although the setting of a modern war torn Burma with child soldiers is extremely foreign to the average American.

The whole set-up of this story is specific to two Burmese cultures, the Burmese and Karenni people. In an author’s note, the author explains that she lived in Thailand and has first-hand experience with Karenni refugees as well as Burmese teens. Perkins showcases this knowledge in her overall story and also in smaller details throughout the story. For example, characters address each other in accordance to relationship, respect, and age. Chiko’s mother respectfully addresses her next-door neighbor as Ah-Ma, meaning older sister. Foods specific to the Burmese culture are also included in the text. For instance, Chiko’s mother fixes a meal of ngapi (shrimp paste), rice, and curry. However, when researching the culture, I found information explaining that ngapi is actually fish paste in the Burmese culture (Encyclopædia Britannica Online 2012). The shrimp paste is found in Thailand, and curry is a common Thai food as well (Encyclopædia Britannica Online 2012). I wonder how much of the culture is assumed, true, or even researched based on this. The religion seems accurate from what I have been able to find on the culture with mentioning of Buddhists and Christians (Central Intelligence Agency 2012). However, I am an outsider unfamiliar with the culture, and many things in the book may prove true and not easily found in a reference resource.

Despite the possible inaccuracies I have uncovered, I enjoyed this book and its message. I am appalled at the horrors that the people in Burma are currently facing, and my heart goes out to them. I am curious as to how people from within these cultures feel about the book’s cultural authenticity or if the message it sends is more important than anything.

Awards Won & Review Excerpts

• Asian Pacific American Award for Literature, 2010 and 2011 Honor Book 
• Booklist: "Though occasionally didactic and a bit preachy, this is nevertheless a story that invites discussion of the realities of warfare rooted in long-standing antagonism and unreasoning hatred of 'the other.'" 
• Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices: "Mitali Perkins sheds light on the current political oppression in Burma (Myanmar) in this eye-opening story." 
• Kirkus Reviews: "While Perkins doesn't sugarcoat her subject—coming of age in a brutal, fascistic society—this is a gentle story with a lot of heart, suitable for younger readers than the subject matter might suggest." 
• The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books: "Most problematic, though, is the improbable tidying of loose ends, in which all outcomes are far too rosy for even the most optimistic readers to expect in a war story."

Connections

• The Central Intelligence Agency’s World Factbook contains information about Burma: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bm.html.
• Try reading this fictional book about Burma as well:

          Smith, Roland. Elephant Run. ISBN 9781423104025

• Other books by Mitali Perkins:

          The Not-So-Star-Spangled Life of Sunita Sen: A Novel. ISBN 0316699438
          Rickshaw Girl. ISBN 9781580893091

References

Central Intelligence Agency. 2012. “The World Factbook: East & Southeast Asia :: Burma.”  Central Intelligence Agency. Accessed November 21. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bm.html.

Encyclopædia Britannica Online. "Myanmar." Accessed November 21. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/400119/Myanmar.

Encyclopædia Britannica Online. "Thailand." Accessed November 21. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/589625/Thailand.

TEA WITH MILK by Allen Say

Bibliography
Say, Allen. 1999. Tea with Milk. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 0395904951

Plot Summary
A young Japanese American woman has to move to Japan with her parents after graduating from high school. She misses her old home while trying to adjust to the Japanese culture. Independence is found when she takes a job in Osaka.

Critical Analysis
Tea with Milk is the story of the author’s mother, May, and how she came to meet his father, Joseph. It chronicles the adjustment May had to make as a young woman when she had to move from the San Francisco area all the way to Japan, the home of May’s parents. This picture book shows the struggle between being American and of the Japanese culture, and this struggle is depicted clearly in the text as well as illustrations.

The illustrations clearly show May’s unhappy emotions of feeling like a foreigner in her parents’ home country. May is shown as being lonely at her school in Japan or sad when wearing a kimono. The illustrations show just how different American clothes for women are compared to the Japanese way of dressing. Cultural differences are also indicated in the text. May loves milk in her tea, but the Japanese drink plain green tea. Masako is May’s given name and is what her parents and those in Japan call her. She misses being called May, which is what she was always called in America. Lucky for May, she meets Joseph. Like May, Joseph is of Japanese heritage, but Japan is foreign to him as well. His parents are English, and he likes milk and sugar in his tea.

The illustrations and text also show the varying ways of living in Japan. The town where May’s parents return to is very traditional. Women are expected to marry and wear kimonos. The houses have paper windows. However, the city of Osaka is a noisy and bustling city with lots of cars and tall buildings with glass windows. Osaka feels like America to May.

I think this is a sweet story. However, although it is a picture book, it may not interest preschoolers. The meaning of the story may be difficult for them to understand. Elementary students will appreciate the message that one can make a home and find happiness anywhere. At some time and place in all of our lives, we have all experienced the uneasiness of feeling like an outsider. I like how this theme is told with a simple story about the author’s mother and father.

Awards Won & Review Excerpts

• Best Children's Books of the Year, 2000; Bank Street College of Education
• Notable Children's Books, 2000; ALSC American Library Association
• Smithsonian Magazine's Notable Books for Children, 1999
• Booklist: "Both an 'ugly duckling' romance and a universal story of leaving home, this is a picture book that will have intense appeal for older readers."
• Kirkus Reviews: "In describing how his parents met, Say continues to explore the ways that differing cultures can harmonize . . ."
• The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books: "Say has a gift for descriptive prose that effectively communicates the emotional nuances of his family stories; that gift lifts his stories above nostalgia and invites young listeners and readers to an understanding of the passage of time, the impact of distance."

Connections

• Other books by Allen Say:

          The Boy in the Garden. ISBN 9780547214108
          Kamishibai Man. ISBN 9780618479542
          Music for Alice. ISBN 0618311181

• Find out more about Allen Say on the Reading Rockets website: http://www.readingrockets.org/books/interviews/say/.

• Other Japanese fiction books:

          Meehan, Kierin. Hannah's Winter. ISBN 1933605987
          Preus, Margi. Heart of a Samurai: Based on the True Story of Nakahama 
          Manjiro. ISBN 9780810989818
          Uehashi, Nahoko. Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit. ISBN 9780545005425

WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE MOON by Grace Lin

Bibliography
Lin, Grace. 2009. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. New York: Little, Brown and Company. ISBN 9780316052603

Plot Summary
Minli and her parents are poor. They live in a village where Fruitless Mountain and the Jade River meet. It is hard to grow anything on the land near the village and so they live a life of hard work with meager reward. In the evenings, Minli loves to hear stories told by her father. Minli becomes inspired to find good fortune for her family from one of her father’s stories about the Old Man of the Moon who can answer any question. Thus, an adventure begins when Minli steals away from home to seek an answer from the Old Man of the Moon on how to bring fortune to her family.

Critical Analysis
Grace Lin explains at the end of her book how the story of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon came about. The text mends together Chinese folktales and fairy-tales which were her inspiration for embracing her culture. Visits to Hong Kong, Taiwan, and China gave her the inspiration for many of her illustrations. A little imagination and some embellishments give us a wonderful story filled with love, adventure, and even a lesson learned at the end.

Like any traditional children’s tale, the plot involves a journey. Little Minli goes out alone to seek the Man of the Moon to find out how to bring fortune to her family. She meets many characters on her way including monkeys, a dragon, goldfish, twins, a king, and a goddess. The characters are all simple and easily understood. Yet, they are interesting and aid Minli in some way in finding the Old Man of the Moon. Throughout Minli’s journey, there is always a story to be told that explains a situation or how something came to be. For example, “The Story of Fruitless Mountain” explains why the village and the mountain are so barren. These stories come up throughout the chapters and in the end, one finds that they all connect together seamlessly.

I did a disservice to myself by reading this book on my Kindle. A book trailer from Lin’s website reveals beautifully colored illustrations that I was not able to experience on my black and white Kindle screen! Rich hues of red, blue, green, yellow, and purple bring the simple sketches to life. All characters are in traditional Chinese dress with long, straight black hair pinned up. This, with the rural settings, truly takes readers into a faraway land where anything can happen. It all reveals the beauty and imagination of the Chinese culture.

Although some may argue that the mystical setting and embellishments may take away from the authenticity of the book, the book is a fairy-tale. Until now, I have had no exposure to Chinese fairy-tales, and I find this one to be even more enjoyable than the European tales I grew up with. Unlike European fairy-tales, there is not much about good winning over evil. Lin’s tale focuses on being happy with what you have and the journey to get there. I feel that this focus alone is what makes this book so authentic to the Chinese culture.

Awards Won & Review Excerpts

• Cybil Award, 2009 Finalist Middle Grade Fantasy & Science Fiction
• John Newbery Medal, 2010 Honor Book
• Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children's Literature, 2010 Winner
• Booklist: "With beautiful language, Lin creates a strong, memorable heroine and a mystical land. Stories, drawn from a rich history of Chinese folktales, weave throughout her narrative, deepening the sense of both the characters and the setting and smoothly furthering the plot. Children will embrace this accessible, timeless story about the evil of greed and the joy of gratitude."
• Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices: "Grace Lin deftly inserts a series of tales inspired by traditional Chinese folktales into the larger tapestry of Minli’s extraordinary journey that is full of adventure and trials. Gorgeous book design augments this fast-paced fantasy, including occasional full-page color illustrations, chapter heading decorations, and a typeface treatment that visually distinguishes the folktale segments from the overarching story of Minli’s quest."
• The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books: "While the conclusion is somewhat contrived, readers will enjoy following the feisty heroine as she travels through this lush, mythical world; the episodic structure also lends itself easily to reading aloud, and listeners will be eager to share tales of their own journeys."

Connections

• Grace Lin has a wonderful website at http://www.gracelin.com/. There is background information and activities for Where the Mountain Meets the Moon there. Try some of the book related activities: http://www.gracelin.com/content.php?page=wherethemountainmeetsthemoon&display=activities.
• Other books by Grace Lin:

          The Year of the Dog: A Novel. ISBN 9780316060028
          The Year of the Rat: A Novel. ISBN 031611426X

•  More Chinese Fairy-Tales:

          Bedard, Michael. The Painted Wall and Other Strange Tales. ISBN 0887766528
          Napoli, Donna Jo. Bound. ISBN 0689861753
          Yep, Laurence. Dragon Prince: A Chinese Beauty & the Beast Tale. ISBN
          0060243813

CROSSING BOK CHITTO: A CHOCTAW TALE OF FRIENDSHIP & FREEDOM by Tim Tingle, Ill. by Jeanne Rorex Bridges

Bibliography
Tingle, Tim. 2006. Crossing Bok Chitto: A Choctaw Tale of Friendship & Freedom. Ill. by Jeanne Rorex Bridges. El Paso, TX: Cinco Puntos Press. ISBN 9780938317777

Plot Summary
Martha Tom, a Choctaw girl, disobeys her mother, in a search for blackberries, by crossing the Bok Chitto River over to the side where there are plantations. There, she meets a slave boy, Little Mo, and forms a friendship with him. When Little Mo finds out that his mother is being sold to another plantation, he convinces his family to escape across the Bok Chitto because any slave who crosses that river becomes free by law. Brave Martha Tom and her people devise their own plan to help Little Mo and his family across Bok Chitto.


Critical Analysis
This story is a treat! Never before have I seen two cultures intermixed in a single historical setting with such authenticity. The story occurs among the Choctaws and African American slaves living on opposite sides of the Bok Chitto River in Mississippi. My family has a version of this story. We are from Louisiana and have Choctaw heritage mixed with our African American one, so we think. My mother and her sisters have always told a story about how we have an ancestor who escaped from slavery aided by the Choctaws. I never knew that there were such stories told by the Choctaws. I shared this story with my mother, and we both view it as a gift. We now know that there may be truth in the stories that have been passed down in our family. We value Tingle’s inclusion of a picture of Louisiana Choctaws in his notes at the end of the story. In Tingle’s notes at the end of the book, he chronicles how the idea for the story came about and includes a write-up about today’s Choctaws in Mississippi and Oklahoma.

I would like to discuss cultural authenticity on the part of all races presented in the story, Caucasian, Choctaw, and African American. The shades of various skin tones make it easy to spot the various races in the illustrations. The light brown skin of the Choctaws, the darker brown of the African Americans, and the paleness of the Caucasians cause an immediate connection as to what is being portrayed in the illustrations. However, variance in shades of skin tone would have been nice as well. Each person of a specific race is colored with the same shade although all races have skin tone variances. The clothing is another dominant cultural marker. The slave owners have fine garments that look clean and warm. The Choctaws in their strikingly white wedding ceremony dresses allow the reader to see why the slave owners thought they were seeing angels. The poor and drab clothing of the slaves depict the conditions they must have lived in. Hairstyles and hair textures are nicely done as well. The long dark hair of the Choctaws, the short curly hair of the African Americans, and the proper well-maintained hairstyles of the slave owners are all in accordance with the time period and cultures. These are all visuals, and so the illustrations truly enhance the story.

The emotions and mood the illustrations portray are touching. The close-ups of the father and mother crying when they find out mother will be sold are sorrowful. Martha Tom’s mother looks so caring when Little Mo runs to her for help. As mentioned before, the visual of the Choctaw women in their dresses is striking. With their candles, they do look like angels. Little Mo’s family resembles spirits when they escape, shrouded by fog, right under the watchful eyes of the guards.

This story will appeal to Native Americans as well as African Americans. Very few stories honor two cultures like this one. Thank you, Mr. Tingle, for sharing a story about your people. Tingle states that his culture trusts stories more if they are told amongst each other by word of mouth. My culture trusts things more in written form. By writing this story down and explaining how it came about, Mr. Tingle has probably shown many African Americans that this story they have passed down through word of mouth for so long as well has truth.

Awards Won & Review Excerpts

• American Indian Youth Literature Award, 2008
• Best Children's Books of the Year, 2007; Bank Street College of Education
• Notable Children's Books, 2007; ALSC American Library Association
• Oklahoma Book Award, 2007
• Booklist: "In a picture book that highlights rarely discussed intersections between Native Americans in the South and African Americans in bondage, a noted Choctaw storyteller and Cherokee artist join forces with stirring results."

Connections

• Other books by Tim Tingle:

          When Turtle Grew Feathers: A Folktale from the Choctaw Nation. ISBN
           0874837774
          Saltypie: A Choctaw Journey from Darkness into Light. ISBN 9781933693675

• Other books featuring Native Americans or their stories from North America:

          Bruchac, Joseph. Jim Thorpe's Bright Path. ISBN 9781584301660
          Erdrich, Lise. Bears Make Rock Soup and Other Stories. ISBN 0892391723
          Goble, Paul. Love Flute: Story and Illustrations. ISBN 0027362612
          McDermott, Gerald. Coyote: A Trickster Tale from the American Southwest. ISBN
          0152207244   

• Other books about escaping from slavery:

          Carbone, Elisa.Night Running: How James Escaped with the Help of his Faithful 
          Dog. ISBN 9780375822476
          Hegamin, Tonya Cherie. Most Loved in all the World. ISBN 0618419039
          McCully, Emily Arnold. The Escape of Oney Judge. ISBN 9780374322250
          Walter, Mildred Pitts. Alec's Primer. ISBN 9780916718206

CODE TALKER: A NOVEL ABOUT THE NAVAJO MARINES OF WORLD WAR TWO by Joseph Bruchac

Bibliography
Bruchac, Joseph. 2005. Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two. New York: Dial Books. ISBN 0803729219

Plot Summary
Ned Begay gets sent to boarding school where he is taught that all things Navajo must be forgotten, especially his language. However, World War II begins, and Ned joins the Marines where his sacred Navajo language is in dire need. He learns that his language is needed to send messages in code throughout the war, and his experiences as a code talker and fighting in the conflict with Japan are revealed.

Critical Analysis
Ned Begay recaps his story as a Navajo code talker in World War II to his grandchildren.  Although the account is fictional, it is a well-researched story that brings to life the racism the Navajos had to face in America at the time and the obstacles they had to overcome. These Marines were heroes, yet their story had to be kept secret for many years after World War II. The account rings true because the reader learns there is good and bad in everyone. Yes, the Navajos were treated badly in their own country. However, not all whites are portrayed as evil just like in real life there are good and bad people. Ned makes many Marine friends, Navajo and non-Navajo, whom he comes to love and respect and vice versa. Also, although America is fighting Japan, one realizes that the Japanese were not an evil people. Many wanted the war to be over. It was a select few who kept the war going which caused many lives to be lost, including a huge number of Japanese. Ned himself has a shocking revelation of realizing how much the Japanese resemble his people. He realizes that they are people just like him as the war progresses, and the tragedies of Hiroshima and Nagasaki move him deeply.

Any good work of historical fiction is thoroughly researched, and Bruchac did his research for this novel. An author’s note explains how he had conversations with his own relatives who served in the war. Since Bruchac is not of Navajo heritage, he consulted Navajos on their culture, especially actual Navajo code talkers. Recommendations for further reading about the Navajos, World War II, and code talkers are also given.

I like how Bruchac incorporates the Navajo culture throughout the book. Navajo words are used, and their meanings can be gathered from the surrounding text. When an important code is revealed, it is shown first in Navajo and then in English. Although seeing it written out in Navajo interrupts the flow of reading, I like how it signals that something crucially important to the war effort is being revealed. Bruchac also incorporates Navajo ceremonies that would naturally occur. Ned goes through the Blessingway ceremony before enlisting in the Marines so that he would be kept safe from harm throughout the war. Another element that I love is the respect and love for family within the Navajo culture. Ned enlists in the Marines only after asking his parents for permission. This novel is wonderful and will give any Navajo a sense of pride for the sacrifices their ancestors have made for America.

Awards Won & Review Excerpts

• Best Children's Books of the Year, 2005; Bank Street College of Education

• Booklist Top 10 Historical Fiction for Youth, 2005

• Notable Children's Books, 2006; ALSC American Library Association

• Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 2006; National Council for the Social Studies NCSS

• YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, 2006; American Library Association

• Booklist: "Readers who choose the book for the attraction of Navajo code talking and the heat of battle will come away with more than they ever expected to find."

• Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choices: The horrors of discrimination and the harrows of battle are never minced in Bruchac’s honest novel.

• Kirkus Reviews: "With its multicultural themes and well-told WWII history, this will appeal to a wide audience."

• The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books: " . . .this is a book about victory, not victimization; the focus is firmly on the resiliency and grace of Native America in the most trying of times."

Connections

• Bruchac offers a bibliography of resources that can help one learn more about the Navajos, World War II, and code talkers. Delve into a couple of these resources.

• Other books by Joseph Bruchac about Native Americans:

          Geronimo. ISBN 0439353602
          Our Stories Remember: American Indian History, Culture, & Values Through 
          Storytelling. ISBN 1555911293

• Other books with different viewpoints on World War II:

          Bass, Karen. Summer of Fire. ISBN 9781550504156
          Ruby, Lois. Shanghai Shadows. ISBN 9780823419609
          Zusak, Markus. The Book Thief. ISBN 0375831002

RAIN IS NOT MY INDIAN NAME by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Bibliography

Smith, Cynthia Leitich. 2001. Rain is not my Indian Name. New York: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 0688173977

 Plot Summary

Rain loses her best friend, Galen. They have been friends since early childhood, and he is gone at the age of thirteen. The story covers Rain’s journey from the night of her best friend’s death through her recovery of dealing with his death. In addition, Rain must deal with life in general which includes political controversy around a Native American summer camp, growing up without a mother and with a father who works overseas, an older brother dealing with an unexpected pregnancy, and losing the friendship of the only other person besides Galen that she trusts with her secrets.

Critical Analysis

This story is about loss and dealing with death. Rain goes on an emotional journey throughout the story of learning how to live without her best friend. Other issues are explored in addition to loss such as living in a small town prone to gossip, being in love for the first time with your best friend, handling others’ perceptions of a mixed race heritage, being Native American in a town that is majority white, and living in a non-traditional household. Rain deals with all these issues one day at a time, and although full resolution is not achieved at the story’s end, there is the promise that Rain will get through her troubles just fine.

Cultural markers abound in this story. Rain is of mixed race; she is Muscogee Creek-Cherokee and Scots-Irish from her mother and Irish-German-Ojibway from her father. Those who do not know her usually assume that she is white. However, Rain tans fairly quickly. The story is full of insights about Rain’s Native American culture that may make readers curious to learn more. For example, Rain hesitates in buying a dreamcatcher because they are a fad with so many inauthentic ones out there. She groups them with being associated with fakelore. However, when she sees how beautifully handcrafted the one that Dmitri’s mother made is, she changes her mind and purchases it. Another culturally authentic moment that stands out to me is when Rain’s Aunt Georgia is being interviewed by the Flash for the newspaper. The Flash wants to know more about the wild-rice harvest, which is an Ojibway tradition. Aunt Georgia does not feel comfortable talking about another tribe’s traditions to an outsider and so politely tells the Flash to contact a tribal member if he wants more information about it. Rain explains that the harvest may have spiritual importance and this is Aunt Georgia’s way of telling him to not inquire. This moment also makes it apparent how each tribe is distinct with its own traditions and stories.   

As an avid reader of adventure tales, I find this story slow. However, I did find myself curious as to whether Rain would overcome her grief and was able to relate to many of the issues explored throughout the story. In fact, many readers will relate to the issues that Rain faces. I recognize that the goal of the story is not to entertain but to reveal certain aspects of everyday life. I can appreciate that, and I have to admit that this is the first book I have read about Native Americans in a modern context. This fact alone is refreshing!

Awards Won & Review Excerpts

• Oklahoma Book Award, 2002 Finalist Children/Young Adult

•  Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers & Storytellers Award, 2001

•  Kirkus Reviews: "Tender, funny, and full of sharp wordplay, Smith's first novel deals with a whole host of interconnecting issues . . ."

• The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books: "Unfortunately, Rain’s story does not come into focus quickly or clearly enough. Two short chapters introduce and then kill off Rain’s best friend/boyfriend; after that, the complexities of the local backstory make it difficult for the reader to put together the big picture, in which issues of friendship and family are explored through fragmented views of interrelated plots. Still, Rain’s observations are appealingly wry, and readers who stay with her until these themes are fully developed will find food for thought in this exploration of cultural identity."

•  VOYA: "A quick and easy read that will appeal to preteen and young teen girls, this novel is especially suited to ethnically mixed, Native American, or reluctant readers."

 Connections

• Cynthia Leitich Smith has a presence on the Web. Check out her website for more information about her, the books she’s written, as well as information about other authors and books at http://www.cynthialeitichsmith.com/.

• Rain is not my Indian Name is full of details about Rain’s heritage such as her mother’s tear dress and the Ojibway wild-rice harvest. Research some of the cultural elements mentioned throughout the story. There is so much to discover! To get you started, the following websites may be of interest.

          Wisconsin Historical Society. “Wild Rice Harvesting.” 

          http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/tp-025/.

          Cochran, Wendell. “The Cherokee Tear Dress Facts.” 

           http://www.yvwiiusdinvnohii.net/Cherokee/WendellCochran

          /WCochran0102TearDressFacts.htm.