Native American Literature THE GREAT BALL GAME by: Joseph Bruchac

Bibliography: Bruchac, Joseph. 1994. THE GREAT BALL GAME Ill. Roth, Susan L. New York: Dial ISBN 0803715404

Summary

The animals and the birds are in disagreement over who is the best. The animals thought they were better because they have teeth and the birds thought they were better because they have wings. They decided to have a ballgame and the one to get the first goal would be considered the best. As teams were set up, neither side wanted the bat. The birds said he could not be on their side because he was so little, so he went back to the animals and they felt sorry for him and let him be on their side. As the game progressed and night approached it seemed as if the birds would win; however, in the end the animals won with the help of the bat who could see so well at night.

Critical Analysis

This Native American folktale (a Muskogee Story) is retold by Joseph Bruchac. An author’s note explains that this story is from the Muskogee (also known as the Creek) Indian Nation in an area we now know as Georgia. Many ball games were played throughout the centuries in the Americas. Stories of games between birds and animals are found throughout not only the southeast but the northeast and plains regions as well. This version is based on a story told to the author by Louis Littlecoon Oliver, an Oklahoma Muskogee elder. The game chosen for this tale is a game similar to a lacrosse-like sport using two rackets, one in each hand. Historically playing games are documented throughout the tribes of Native Americans. Lacrosse and stickball originated in the Native Nations of North America. Mr. Bruchac is a renowned author and student of Native American history. His origin is Abenaki Indian, English and Slovak.

Native Americans are known for their storytelling and this picture books retells the story of why the birds fly south in the winter. According to this story it is because they lost the game of stick ball that they played against the animals. The collaged illustrations in vibrant reds, blacks, browns and shades of gray and white are two paged spreads. The animals and birds do have the nose and mouth; however, the most prominent facial feature is the eyes which are typical of the illustrations in Native American books. The illustrations early on show the animals and birds arguing, and then their leaders the Crane and the Bear agreeing to have a ball game. As the game is played the animals and birds are shown with the two rackets, one in each hand.

Because this is a picture book it is difficult to find cultural markers, but the story itself is indicative of the stories that the Native Americans shared to explain forces in nature and the changing of the seasons.

Reviews

Horn Book Guide: The Birds and the Animals decide to settle a disagreement with a stickball game, and the first side to score sets the losers' penalty. Bat, originally excluded from both teams, flies at dusk to help the Animals win. The Birds' penalty? They must leave for half of each year, which explains why birds fly south each winter. Artful cut- and torn-paper collages feature creatures juxtaposed against brilliantly colored or patterned backgrounds.

Booklist: In this Muskogee Indian tale, the birds argue with the beasts about which are better--those with teeth or those with wings. When the quarrel escalates to the brink of war, both sides agree to settle their disagreement on the playing field. The first side to score a point will set the other's punishment. The bat, who has wings as well as teeth, is initially spurned by both sides, then permitted to join the beasts. He scores the goal and banishes the birds for half the year. "So it is that the Birds fly south each winter. . . . And every day at dusk Bat still comes flying to see if the Animals need him to play ball." Roth's dynamic collages combine cut papers of varied textures and hues to create a series of effective illustrations. Short and well told, this appealing pourquoi tale lends itself to reading aloud.

Connections:

This book could be used with a science unit on seasons.

Other books on Native American Folktales by Joseph and James Bruchac

THE GIRL WHO HELPED THUNDER AND OTHER NATIVE AMERICAN FOLKTALES (to be published in April 2008)

WHIRLWIND IS A SPIRIT DANCING: POEMS BASED ON TRADTIONAL AMERICAN INDIAN SONGS AND STORIES