Oxford Reading Tree: Stages 15-16: TreeTops True Stories: Tomahawk Beckwourth

by Michael Cox (Author), Barbara Lofthouse (Contributor)

• Used

  Paperback
  2003

  $4.21

  TreeTops True Stories are exciting, motivating non-fiction books which will broaden your pupils' reading experience. They are part of a structured reading programme for juniors. In the plethora of imagery surrounding the American Wild West, we are used to the heroes of cowboy films and the stuff of legends like Dances with Wolves being portrayed exclusively as white colonisers. Here is a story of a real character who was half African-American, being born to a slave mother and white land-owning father. James Tomahawk Beckwourth has rightly been claimed as a black hero in America, and yet the first Hollywood movie about him saw him played by a white actor! He led a colourful and adventure-packed life, and this story is retold in the first person with photos and beautiful artwork of the flora and fauna of untamed America. Books contain inside cover notes to support children in their reading. Help with children's reading development also available at www.oxfordowl.co.uk. This book is also available as part of a mixed pack of 6 different books or a class pack of 36 books of the same Oxford Reading Tree level.

• Used

  Paperback
  2003

  $3.25

  TreeTops True Stories are exciting, motivating non-fiction books which will broaden your pupils' reading experience. They are part of a structured reading programme for juniors. This title takes even further some of the issues explored in I Runned Away to Sea. The setting is the Indian carpet-weaving trade in contemporary times. This compares favourably with the historical example in I Runned as it is very important for children to be aware that childhood slavery still occurs. It is the story of Sanjay, who is sold into bonded labour by his uncle. He befriends a small, helpless little boy called Bapi who carries a burning desire to see his mother again, but can only remember fragments about her. Sanjay and Bapi are eventually discovered and rescued, but the question is whether the tiny Bapi will be able to recall enough information to help in the search for his mother. It is a heart-rending story that does have a happy outcome, but contains some important lessons for children to learn about the injustices meted out to their peers in other countries. Books contain inside cover notes to support children in their reading. Help with childrens reading development also available at www.oxfordowl. co.uk. This book is also available as part of a mixed pack of 6 different books or a class pack of 36 books of the same Oxford Reading Tree level.