All Illustrations Copyright ©1996-2008 All Rights Reserved
GINA CAPALDI - Illustrator
A Boy Named Beckoning - The True Story of Carlos Montezuma, Native American Hero
This story reveals the remarkable life of a Native American boy named Wassaja, or "Beckoning," who was kidnapped from his Yavapai tribe and sold sold into slavery to the Pima tribe.
In 1871, "Beckoning" finds himself adopted by a kindly
Italian photographer who renames the boy Carlos Montezuma. The young boy travels throughout the American western frontier, bearing witness to the prejudice against and poor treatment of Native Americans.
Carlos' intelligence led him to excel in school and he eventually rose to became a respected doctor and leader for his people, calling out Native American humane and civil rights.
A Boy Called Beckoning is a colorfully illustrated true tale of Dr. Carlos Montezuma's adventures in the 19th century Southwest, brought to life with excerpts from own letters that describe his his both harrowing and wonderous childhood experiences. The culminating portrait provides an fascinating look back into history through the eyes of a Native American hero.
"The illustrations are stunning, with multiple perspectives and rich gold and brown tones... This title should be promoted for Native American, multicultural, and biography units."
--School Library Journal
"Gina Capaldi makes a substantial contribution with this book by raising children’s awareness of Dr. Carlos Montezuma’s long-term advocacy work for the rights of Native Americans in the United States....(This book is) a treasure chest of economics lessons about investing in human resources, the economics of education, jobs, work, discrimination, and land rights. "
--Rutgers University
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