Healing of Natalie Curtis by Jane Kirkpatrick

Young Llama Thoughts

• Adventurous
  

  
• Christian Friendly
  

  
• Easy Reading
  

  
• Humerous
  

  
• Youth Appropriate
  

  

Overall

3.3 Llamas

Review

Hi, readers! This is Young Llama’s momma, The Turtle Reader. I read and am reviewing this great book for Young Llama.

This book was sent to me from Baker Book House, for my honest review.

This is the story, the TRUE story, of a young woman with a lot of pain in her life and her journey toward healing. The title is somewhat misleading, since this book is actually about Natalie Curtis and her mission to bring the Native American’s art and music to President Teddy Roosevelt’s attention.

Natalie spent several years traveling and collecting the music of several Native American tribes in order to preserve them during a time when it was actually ILLEGAL for them to sing their native songs.

This book is definitely not a kids’ book….but it is very educational and if you are at all interested in American history or the Native Americans, this is a great book to read!

 

Pros

• Very educational on the time period and the Native American dilemma during the Presidency of Theodore Roosevelt.
• Moving and inspiring.
• Pro-feminine strength and courage.

Cons

• Sad at times when discussing the plight of the Native Americans.
• Some dark/realistic topics are explored minimally.

Classically trained pianist and singer Natalie Curtis isolated herself for five years after a breakdown just before she was to debut with the New York Philharmonic. Guilt-ridden and songless, Natalie can’t seem to recapture the joy music once brought her. In 1902, her brother invites her to join him in the West to search for healing. What she finds are songs she’d never before encountered–the haunting melodies, rhythms, and stories of Native Americans.

But their music is under attack. The US government’s Code of Offenses prohibits American’s indigenous people from singing, dancing, or speaking their own languages as the powers that be insist on assimilation. Natalie makes it her mission not only to document these songs before they disappear but to appeal to President Teddy Roosevelt himself, who is the only man with the power to repeal the unjust law. Will she succeed and step into a new song . . . and a new future?

Award-winning author Jane Kirkpatrick weaves yet another lyrical tale based on a true story that will keep readers captivated to the very end.