Beardance

This book has won the ALA Best Book for Young Adults award in 1994. The author tells a story of Cloyd, a Ute Indian, who sets out on a life-changing mission to save two grizzly cubs. He knows that if he can protect them until the time of hibernation, they will be safe. All the while, he knows that

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if he stays with the bears too long, he may not be able to get off the mountains before winter. This book reaches into the deep spiritual world of the Native Americans, and the kinship they feel to animals. Cloyd remembers his grandmother describing a time when a Spirit could go between animal forms and human forms. Cloyd brings this spiritual idea to life as he becomes the cubs’ mother. The other important lesson young adults learn during this story is the idea of perseverance when encountering a task that may seem impossible.
Librarians can use this book in several ways. The relationship between animal, spirit and Native American could be researched by middle school students and then an animal could be picked that they could relate to. The author tells of a Native American bear dance using growler sticks. Students could learn more about the topic of dance and music in Native American rituals and even demonstrate some examples.

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