About This Book
You would reach for this book when your child is beginning to ask complex questions about justice, history, and how people maintain their dignity when they have lost their freedom. Joseph Bruchac, a master storyteller of Indigenous history, uses the relationship between the legendary Apache leader Geronimo and his grandson to explore the weight of a difficult past and the hope for a future that honors one's roots. This is a story about the transition from warrior to prisoner, but it is primarily focused on the quiet strength of family and the importance of oral tradition. While the book touches on the harsh realities of the late 19th-century American West and the forced relocation of Indigenous peoples, it centers on the emotional resilience required to survive systemic change. It is an ideal choice for middle schoolers (ages 10 to 14) who are ready for historical truths delivered with nuance and cultural authenticity. Parents will appreciate how Bruchac avoids caricatures, instead offering a deeply human portrait of a grandfather passing his legacy to the next generation.
