Apache Rodeo

Children's Literature - Gisela Jernigan

Beautiful, full color photographs and a lively, first-person text combine to show us ten-year-old Felecita's life on the White River Apache Reservation in Arizona. The first part is filled with descriptions of Felecita and her extended family's everyday activities. She points out that her life is not that different from most modern U.S. kids, but is enriched by Apache traditions and preparation for the annual rodeo. Some information on Apache history and culture, including a recipe for acorn stew and a description of the important Sunrise Ceremony, also are presented. The last part shows and tells how Felecita and her family practice for and take part in the rodeo. A wonderful way to learn about rodeos and the Apache way of life.

Children's Literature - Jan Lieberman

Apache Rodeo introduces readers to Felicia LaRose, 10, and her family who live in Whiteriver, Arizona, an Apache Reservation. Felicia's interests are the same as other kids - she trades baseball cards, shoots hoops, is on the track team, but she also participates in traditional Apache activities. Her favorite is preparing for the annual summer rodeo. One noteworthy yearly event is the Sunrise Ceremony which echoes the value of women in Apache life. It marks the transition of girls from childhood to womanhood.

School Library Journal

Gr 3-6-This lively, colorful, cheerful book portrays the daily life of Felecita, 10, who lives on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation, and chronicles her family's participation in the White Mountain Apache Tribes' annual rodeo. Felecita practices barrel racing and takes part in goat tying, her father rides a bull, and her mother and grandmother are actively involved behind the scenes. Woven into the girl's first-person narrative of year-long practice and preparation are overviews of Apache history, culture, the Sunrise Ceremony, and reservation life today. The book is well illustrated with numerous full-color photographs, and the graphic layout is notably good. What makes this title somewhat unusual is that it rises above the ``nonfiction/sports'' genre to focus on the intergenerational family that respects and supports Felecita's efforts. This book will appeal to those interested in rodeo, young female athletes, Native Americans, and to those looking for stories that show how a family can work together.-Colleen McDougall, Kayenta Boarding School, AZ

Carolyn Phelan

The author/photographer team that profiled other Native American children and their cultures in "Cherokee Summer" (1993), "Pueblo Storyteller" (1991), and "Totem Pole" (1990) introduces Felicita, a White Mountain Apache girl. Written in the first person from Felicita's point of view, the text describes her home, her school, her family, her community, and the traditions of her people as practiced today. The last third of the book focuses on the rodeo held annually in her hometown, Whitewater, Arizona. The many full-color photographs that appear throughout make it easy for other children to see how Felicita's life is like and unlike their own. An appealing introduction to Apache life today.