Synopsis
Spider is afraid to get up on stage in front of everybody for the school spelling bee, but after listening to his father's advice, he decides that he too will try to be as brave as his Shoshone ancestors.
Children's Literature
Spider is a young Indian boy who lives with his extended family on a reservation. Spider's teacher asks him to participate in the school's spelling bee, but Spider is afraid of being on stage. Spider's family encourages him to use the qualities of animals from his Indian heritage for strength. The bravery of a mountain lion, the cleverness of a coyote and the silence of a spider are qualities that Spider draws on to help him successfully compete in the spelling bee. It's a story that nicely portrays the importance of culture and family in a young child's life.