Author: Michael Dorris
Genre: historical fiction
Awards: Scott O'Dell award for historical fiction
Grade level: 4-6 grade
Morning Girl tells the story of a native American family and their conflict. The narration alternates between Morning Girl and her brother Star Boy. The two experience fairly typical sibling rivalry, such as fighting over a new baby's gender, despite the historical setting. For most of the story, the two main characters are in disagreement. The conflict resolves and the story ends as foreign visitors (Americans) land on their beach.
In this short novel, there are no illustrations other than the cover, which features a young girl swimming in the ocean.
Although I found this story somewhat bland, I think older students may find the historical content interesting. Classes can compare and contrast Morning Girl's family with their own family. Students can also discuss the very end of the story, when the settlers come. It is important to see historical events from different perspectives. Classes can also discuss how they would feel if foreign settlers came to their home land.
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