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The Star People: A Lakota Story Hardcover – Picture Book, September 1, 2003

by S. D. Nelson (Author)
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 174 ratings
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A grandmother's love is forever in this story of remembrance and tradition from award-winning author and member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe S. D. Nelson

Sister Girl and her brother Young Wolf wander away from their village and soon find themselves far out in the surrounding prairie. They sit down in the grass and watch the clouds passing above billow to form an eagle, horses, and other creatures. Suddenly, animals begin to race past the children on the ground—followed by a wall of fire! Fleeing along with the frightened beasts, Sister Girl and Young Wolf save themselves by tumbling into a shallow stream.

The fire leaves behind ash and a barren, forbidding landscape. The children realize that they are hopelessly lost. Night is coming—how will they get home to their parents? And why are the evening stars dancing so?

Drawing upon traditional Lakota ledger book art, S.D. Nelson’s illustrations bring to life a memorable new legend about the Star People. Backmatter includes an example and explanation of ledger book art.

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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    1 - 8 years
  2. Print length
    40 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Preschool - 3
  5. Lexile measure
    580L
  6. Dimensions
    10.55 x 0.6 x 9.35 inches
  7. Publisher
    Abrams Books for Young Readers
  8. Publication date
    September 1, 2003
  9. ISBN-10
    0810945843
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0810945845
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4-A young Lakota Indian girl narrates the story of how she and her little brother, Young Wolf, survive a prairie fire. They had wandered away from their village, entranced by the changing cloud shapes created by the Cloud People. They fall into a river and are guided home by their deceased grandmother, one of the Star People, who are the spirits of the Old Ones. The acrylic illustrations are inspired by the Native American ledger-book art of the late 1800s, with figures in profile, vivid colors, and bold shapes. The art enhances the text by blending the supernatural world with that of the children's reality. When Sister Girl and Young Wolf are lost, they are depicted in a heavenly space whirling and swirling with star groups outlined to show animals like the eagle, wolf, elk, and horse. According to the author's note, the Lakota Indians refer to clouds and stars as "Cloud People" and "Star People." A solid addition to collections of Native American tales and an enjoyable read-aloud.
Linda M. Kenton, San Rafael Public Library, CA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 2. While exploring the land around their village, two young Plains Indians--Sister Girl and her little brother, Young Wolf--stray too far. After narrowly escaping a roaring prairie fire, the siblings find themselves lost and frightened in the dark, open land until the Star People, "the spirits of the Old Ones who once walked on the earth," offer comfort and guidance home. In clear, captivating language, Nelson, the creator of Gift Horse (2000) and a member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, tells a stirring, original story based on Lakota legend. An extensive author's note introduces Ledger Book Art, the nineteenth-century Plains Indian style of art that influenced Nelson's acrylic paintings. The graphic, stylized scenes tend to blur individual faces, but the swirling images of the celestial dance beautifully reflect the story's celebration and awe of the natural world. A fine choice for story hours, this will also find wide curricular use. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Abrams Books for Young Readers (September 1, 2003)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 40 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0810945843
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0810945845
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 1 - 8 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 580L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - 3
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.04 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10.55 x 0.6 x 9.35 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 174 ratings

About the author

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S. D. Nelson

S. D. Nelson

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S.D. Nelson is a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in the Dakotas. “My people are known as the Sioux or Lakota. During the 19th century they were renowned as the Horse People of the Great Plains. My ancestors were also the people of the Buffalo, for the Buffalo gave them most of their food, their warm robes, and the lodge skins of their tipis. My people followed great herds of them across the vast grasslands beneath an endless blue sky.” Nelson’s artwork appears on book jackets, greeting cards, and CD covers, and his paintings are held in both private and public collections. He has written and illustrated numerous award-winning children’s books.

Visit www.sdnelson.net

Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
174 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

cliff nail
5.0 out of 5 stars Great story for any age.
Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2021
Verified Purchase
This childrens book has a great story and fantastic art for any age. I'm 65 years old and bought it for myself after seeing it in a bookstore. I've read it to all my Grandchildern, they love it and I never get tired of reading it to them.
4 people found this helpful
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S.S.
5.0 out of 5 stars Love and connection
Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2021
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Our family loves this story! The illustrations are beautiful and it’s fit for all ages. Heart felt and full of connection to the web of life.
One person found this helpful
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5.0 out of 5 stars katie
Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2011
Verified Purchase
This is a beautiful native american tale of what ahppens to us after we die and the loving spirits who watch over us. I would like to add though that my 4yr old child had a ton of questions about death and what happens to us when we die after reading this, she wanted to know if we really go to live in the stars. If you like you can agree or simply use this book as a cultural tool to teach your child about some native amererican beliefs. Very beautiful art as well!
6 people found this helpful
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5.0 out of 5 stars Makes you smile
Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2018
Verified Purchase
My daughter’s Pre-K teachers said she loved this book so I bought it so she could have it at home. She absolutely does love it and it made me cry the first time I read it. We now read it nightly.
One person found this helpful
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Margie
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this story
Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2014
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Loved this story. As we have some Native American Heritage in our family, I try to incorporate some of the lore and traditions. A lot of the stories I get are Lakota despite the fact that we are from a different group that is not nearly as well represented in available literature. One day, I hope to find those stories as well, but this is a very nice book none the less.
4 people found this helpful
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Amy
5.0 out of 5 stars My students love the illustrations and the Lakota stories told in his ...
Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2017
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Elementary Librarian here. I am always looking for Native American literature that is an accurate depiction of their culture. I own many S.D. Nelson titles in my library and they are very popular. My students love the illustrations and the Lakota stories told in his books.
7 people found this helpful
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Christie S. Schultz
5.0 out of 5 stars Really enjoyed this. When I visited the Smithsonian Museum
Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2015
Verified Purchase
Really enjoyed this. When I visited the Smithsonian Museum, I found a semi animated version of this being played in a section of the Native American museum.... alas the caretakers were ignorant as to the source of the video. I finally found it. A lovely story, highly recommend it. Art is gorgeous.
5 people found this helpful
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laura sullivan
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and illustrations
Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2020
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Beautiful story and illustrations
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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misa
4.0 out of 5 stars joli
Reviewed in France on March 15, 2024
Verified Purchase
Un joli ouvrage mais un peu déçue par le contenu que je trouve trop léger
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Love this spirit book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 4, 2021
Verified Purchase
This book we shall treasure 🥰 so lovely, 5 year old now understands cloud and star people and that there are other things out there in the universe !
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