THE LAND GRAB

When his people are treated unfairly, a Lakota boy’s determination wins out.

In 1929, 11-year-old Alfred Sparrow lives on the Kul Wicasa Lakota Reservation in South Dakota with his mother, younger brother, and grandparents following the disappearance of his father, who left to find work in Wyoming and was never heard from again. The family treasures the tribal allotment land his grandfather has worked so long and hard to sustain. When Mr. O’Neil, the local government agency superintendent, and his cohorts try to swindle Alfred’s grandfather and other Lakota landowners out of their land, Alfred looks to his dreams, then shares what he learns with his friends. Together, they come up with a plan to defeat their enemy and save their homes. Lakota culture and traditions are incorporated throughout the story, for example when Alfred dreams of the golden eagle spirit helper. He remembers his grandfather telling him, “Grandchild, a golden eagle came to your mother when you were born. It will surely watch over you throughout your life.” Alfred later calls on this helper when he and his dog are attacked by wolves after getting too close to a den of wolf cubs. This series opener by Beartrack-Algeo (Lower Brule Lakota Nation) begins slowly, and the quantity of and dense approach to conveying historical information may deter the intended audience of reluctant readers. Things pick up toward the end of the book with several exciting action-packed scenes.

An informative Lakota historical novel heavy on exposition.