Books by Kenneth Thomasma

Hello!

I don’t know why I haven’t discovered Kenneth Thomasma’s books before now, but for some reason I have missed them. Over the last few years, I have heard of this author from a parent or two, but I have just not been inclined to read even one of them. I have had a few children ask if we had any other books like Naya Nuki and were disappointed that we did not. Finally, a couple of weeks ago, a colleague came in and was just gushing over these books and ended saying that this particular title was the best children’s book she had ever read. Well, that brought me to attention. The BEST children’s book she’d ever read? She also said that she was ordering some for herself from the author, so I asked her to include the library in her order and get a set for us.

The books arrived last week and I began processing them. As I opened the cover of the first book, I realized that the books were autographed by Kenneth Thomasma. That was a lovely bonus. While working with the books, Naya Nuki was visible and a number of children commented through the afternoon as they walked by my desk how much they really liked that book. They were all from different grade levels and EVERY ONE OF THEM REALLY LIKED THE BOOK!

OK. I know when I am outnumbered. I will be reading the book.

If you aren’t already familiar with the story of Naya Nuki, it is about two young Shoshoni girls who were captured by a rival Indian tribe and forced to march 1000 miles from their home in Montana to North Dakota. Naya Nuki and her best friend, Sacajawea (Yes, THAT Sacajawea!) Sacajawea and Naya Nuki were separated and didn’t see very much of each other. Naya Nuki eventually escaped and traveled back to her home. Alone. For 1000 miles. What an amazing story!

Kenneth Thomasma has written other books as well. They are all about Native Americans and are historically accurate from what I’ve been told.

Thomasma’s titles are
1. Naya Nuki: Shoshoni Girl Who Ran
2. Om-kas-toe: Blackfeet Twin Captures an Elkdog
3. Soun Tetoken: Nez Perce Boy Tames a Stallion
4. Kunu: Winnebago Boy Escapes
5. Pathki Nana: Kootenai Girl Solves a Mystery
6. Moho Wat: Sheepeater Boy Attempts a Rescue
7. Amee-nah: Zuni boy runs the Race of His Life
8. Doe Sia: Bannock Girl and the handcart Pioneers
9. Takini: Lakota Boy Alerts Sitting Bull
10. The Truth About Sacajawea – an accurate paraphrase of the Lewis and Clark journal accounts of the remarkable Shoshoni teenager who spent twenty-one months with the Corps of Discovery. The United States Mint used this book when it developed the new Sacajawea Golden Dollar coin.

If you already have some or all of these books, it might be time to dust them off and read them. If you don’t, it might be a good time to add them to your library.

Well, off to read my book.

Audrey