The Star People

By S.D. Nelson

Lost in a prairie fire, two siblings seek a way home under mysterious dancing stars.

4.3/5 Goodreads · 255 ratings

34 pages· 985 words· Est. 8 min read-aloud

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Bookroo's summary

Sister Girl and Young Wolf stray from their village into the vast prairie, only to face a raging fire. As they escape the flames, they find themselves lost in a desolate landscape. With nightfall approaching, the siblings must find their way back home. But why do the stars above seem to dance, and could they hold the key to their return? This tale, enriched by traditional Lakota ledger art, weaves a new legend of the Star People, where a grandmother's love transcends the earthly realm to guide her grandchildren through the darkness.

From the publisher

A grandmother’s love is forever in this story of remembrance and tradition from award-winning author and member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe S. D. Nelson Sister Girl and her brother Young Wolf wander away from their village and soon find themselves far out in the surrounding prairie. They sit down in the grass and watch the clouds passing above billow to form an eagle, horses, and other creatures. Suddenly, animals begin to race past the children on the ground–followed by a wall of fire! Fleeing along with the frightened beasts, Sister Girl and Young Wolf save themselves by tumbling into a shallow stream. The fire leaves behind ash and a barren, forbidding landscape. The children realize that they are hopelessly lost. Night is coming–how will they get home to their parents? And why are the evening stars dancing so? Drawing upon traditional Lakota ledger book art, S.D. Nelson’s illustrations bring to life a memorable new legend about the Star People. Backmatter includes an example and explanation of ledger book art.

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