Thirteen Moons on Turtle's Back by Joseph Bruchac

Thirteen Moons on Turtles Back: A Native American Year of Moons

by Joseph Bruchac and Jonathan London  Illustrated by Thomas Locker

Image Credit: Thirteen Moons on Turtles Back at https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com

1. Bibliography

Bruchac, Joseph and Jonathan London.  Illustrated by Thomas Locker.  Thirteen Moons on Turtles Back.  New York: Putnam Berkley Group, 1997. ISBN 0698115848

2. Plot Summary

To many Native Americans, the 13 cycles of the moon represent the changing seasons and the passage of time. Each moon has its own special name that, while varying among the tribal nations, is consistent with the legend that the 13 scales on Old Turtle's back hold the key to these moons. The authors present 13 poems that take readers through the year, from the ``Moon of Popping Trees''--when the ``cottonwoods crack with frost''--to the ``Big Moon'' of the Abenakis. (Summary Credit: Thirteen Moons on Turtles Back at publishersweekly.com)

3. Critical Analysis

The main characters of the story are Sozap and his Grandfather.  While Sozap’s Grandfather is carving a turtle, Sozap asks about how many scales are on the turtle’s back.  The Grandfather explains that the thirteen scales relate to the number of moons in a year.  What follows are various tribes retelling about how each moon received its name. The characters in the various stories (e.g., Frost Giant, Moose, Coyote, Old Man Winter, and Thunder Eagle) are only roughly drawn to advance the tale.  The setting locations are mostly told through the illustrations.  The setting is mostly devoid of human characters and shows mostly a natural setting through various seasons.

There are many ties to the different tribal cultures.  Grandfather explanation of the turtle's ties to the thirteen moons, is one such example.  The author explains that storytelling and respect for nature are hallmarks of Native American culture and are prevalent throughout the book.  Each tale is identified by which tribe from which the tale came.  Tribal tales are included from Abenaki, Northern Cheyenne, Potawatomi, Anishinabe, Cree, Huron, Seneca, Pomo, Menominee, Micmac, Cherokee, Winnebago, Lakota Sioux, and Abenaki tribes.  There is mention of the way the different cultures live in the stories.  The tales mention buffalo robes, snowshoes, maple sugar making, lodges, and canoes.  Different tribal language terms are used throughout, some are interpreted and some are not.  The primary is the naming of the moons.  These are listed in English.  They are moon of popping trees, baby bear moon, maple sugar moon, frog moon, budding moon, strawberry moon, moon when acorns appear, moon of wild rice, moose calling moon, moon of falling leaves, moon when deer drop their horns, moon when wolves run together, and big moon).  Other words used include kway, kina, manabozho, jogeoh, shunk manitu tanka, pehtonbagok, and kitchee keesos).  The characters in the tales have Native American names such as Amik, Omakaki, Juskeha, Glooskap, Nanabush, and Ohzeehozo which are not interpreted. And, a few names that are interpreted such as Wisakedjak (Trickster).  The Creator is mentioned in a few tales and the name of the creator is given in either English or the tribal language.  Creators mentioned include Git-chee Manitou, Earth Elder, Good Mystery, and Earth Maker.  Some of the foods eaten are mentioned such as hunting for game, strawberries, maple syrup, corn, and wild rice.  And, one celebration instrument is brought up, the birch bark horn.

            The illustrations are mostly of nature scenes which include much of the wildlife including wolves, moose, beaver, frog, owl, bear, raccoon, and deer.  The few scenes that show humans in their environment show Cheyenne teepees, a Huron lodge, Winnebago Medicine lodge, and Seneca canoes.  There are only 5 pictures that illustrate actual people and 2 of these are from a distance you can’t make out (people in canoes on the river).  Those you can actually see people show people in animal skins, with moccasins and black hair with headbands or pigtails or ponytails. Overall, this book shows a non-stereotypical depiction of Native American.  Because it does not include the entire culture into one set and allows the telling of different moon stories from the perspective of different tribes, it celebrates the diversity within the Native American culture.

4. Review Experts

A Notable Children's Trade Book in the Language Arts
An IRA Teacher's Choice Book
A Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies 

~Publishers Weekly: The book's effective design consists of verses in vertical columns at the left of each spread, with the remainder occupied by Locker's (Family Farm; Catskill Eagle) typically lush artwork. His oil paintings are eye-catching in their depth of color reflecting dramatic seasonal changes. Trees, skies and woodland creatures are rendered in vivid hues that combine to produce an enthralling vision. This unusual and intelligent book is an exemplary introduction to Native American culture with its emphasis on the importance of nature.

~American Bookseller: This book instills a spiritual respect for our land and an appreciation for the people who were its first caring guardians.

5. Connections

~Science – Use the book to discuss the appearance of the moon over time.

~Social Studies – Compare the Gregorian calendar with the Lakota calendar.

~Include in reading set about the Native American culture.  Include other quality picture books such as:

            Marks, Johnny and Hans Chester. Shanyaak’utlaax: Salmon Boy. ISBN 194601902X

            Gonzalez, Xenlena. All Around Us. ISBN 1941026761

            Flett, Julie. Black Bear Red Fox. ISBN 1554765218

Vandever, Daniel W. Fall in Line, Holden! ISBN 1893354504

Gleeson-Lyall, Melaney. I Am Dreaming of…Animals of the Native Northwest. ISBN 1554765226

Herrington, John. Mission to Space. ISBN 1935684477

~Other possible Joseph Bruchac books to read:

            Code Talker. ISBN 0142405965

            Wolf Mark. ISBN 160060661X

            Killer of Enemies. ISBN 1620142767

            Native American Tales of Terror. ISBN 0802775764