Tecumseh: Shawnee Rebel

School Library Journal

Gr 7 Up-- In this biography of an outstanding man and leader, the Shawnee chief (from roughly 1795 to 1813) comes across as a superhero: an effective political leader, a thoughtful counselor and arbitrator, and (yes) a military man. Tecumseh was admired by non-natives who knew him, and even though his defense of traditional lands failed, the text makes it clear that the failure was due to the actions of land-hungry, westward-moving whites, not to any of his shortcomings. The writing is admirable; it flows forward and carries readers with it, without puzzles to impede them. It is handsomely complemented by many black-and-white period prints and paintings, each of which seems chosen to give visual imagery to the words. These illustrations are accompanied by brief paragraphs of explanation on the action or subject depicted. --George Gleason, Department of English, Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield