The Legend of the White Buffalo Woman by Paul Goble

Book Genre: Legend/Myth

Publisher: National Geographic Children's Books; 1st edition, July 1, 1998

Summary:
This is a significant legend told by the Lakota people. The story begins with the extermination of mankind on earth. An Eagle of the Sky and a Woman of the Earth were married and bore children. Then from this process the Nation is born again. As time and years passed the Sadness of War took over. A mystifying and stunning Buffalo Woman came to share the power of the pipe. The Lakota people believe that the pipe is a person’s way to correspond with God.

Personal Rating, **Okay. I am partial to books that depict and enlighten readers on diverse cultures from around the world; however, this legend did not have an engaging grasp to pull readers in. My expectations were set extremely high for this book since it was part of the National Geographic Society. The text lacked a consist flow from beginning to end.

Reading Level: 4th grade (A.R. Level 4.6)

Interest Level: 3-6 grades

Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study:

Art/Social Studies: Create and construct peace gifts that the Lakota people would have shared. Make a class teepee with drawings from students of Native symbols. Reading/Writing: Do a character study on the White Buffalo Woman. Students will have to illustrate a picture of her and write three sentences about why she is important to the Lakota people.

Potential Problems or Difficulties: The story has some mature topics and some gruesome illustrations.