Nuki Nuki Lover Boy (Nuki Nuki Lover Boy Book 4)

Sure, She has to walk a thousand miles, escape grizzly bears, hide from enemy tribes, wait out snowstorms, avoid being trampled by stampeding buffalo—no one said it would be easy—but, against all odds and through sheer force of will, she achieves what she set out to do. The point is, Naya Nuki wants what everyone else believes is impossible—and she gets it.

Naya Nuki's entire story serves as a reminder that it can be done. It might suck, it might be terrifying—but you can still get there, one step at a time.

American Indians in Children's Literature (AICL): Kenneth Thomasma's books

This is why I keep saying that Naya Nuki is the best children's book for little girls: That author Kenneth Thomasma is able to impart so many valuable lessons through just one character—an 11 year-old Native American girl, no less—is nothing short of incredible. And the fact that he wrote a novel about female empowerment, through a character who represents the most marginalized and forgotten group in this country? A good 40 years before "girl power" was a "thing" and feminism became cool again?

Is there some reason why this book hasn't been made into a movie? Every year there's some boring but wildly successful film about a grown man wandering around the wilderness on his own I'm looking at you, Sean Penn and Leonardo DiCaprio. Why can't we get the same thing for our kids, with a strong female lead? I mean, how hard is it? It seems like making movie out of one the best children's books ever written would be win-win—especially when it's the true story of a courageous Native American girl.

It might even erase that whole Pocahontas snafu we'd all like to forget. Screw Pocahontas , Cinderella, and all the princess stories, too. Just do your daughters, nieces, and other young women in your life a favor, and buy them a copy of Naya Nuki instead. A positive review from me, about a book I actually like love. You know I only gush for the ones that really deserve it. Shoshoni Girl Who Ran , this book more than deserves it.

Those long-lasting, positive effects on little girls that I mention above? I used to think I was born independent and naturally fearless—it never occurred to me to be afraid to move across the country, then across the world multiple times, totally alone. But now, I don't think I was born with anything at all. Courage, independence, and determination were something I learned I also used to think Chris McDougall's Born to Run was the reason I've been distance racing through mountains and forests every summer for the last 8 years.

I didn't try trail racing until I read McDougall's book. But reading Naya Nuki to my son a few years ago had me seeing things differently. These races begin as a group of several hundred people, but you inevitably end up running for several hours completely alone; races in the middle of nowhere, so remote that you can't quit, because there's nowhere to "quit to" —your only way out is to keep going until you reach the finish line; races where pain, exhaustion, and fear are replaced by an intense focus on staying on your feet; running through rivers and mud, up mountainsides, enduring intense downpours or oppressive heat, ignoring the scratches from poison oak and stings from swarming wasps and bees—where you just keep going no matter what, because there is no room for negative thoughts, and the only thing propelling you forward is your determination, and knowing that you'll make it through; and that indescribable feeling of freedom of running through all of that pain and rough terrain, with only moccasins for shoes McDougall's book was excellent.

But I no longer think McDougall's book is what led me to spending my summers racing through the wilderness—rather, McDougall's book awoke a dormant desire in me to do so Jul 23, Corinne Edwards rated it really liked it Shelves: In the fourth grade my elementary school had Kenneth Thomasma come to our school to do a talk on his new book: I bet I read it a half dozen times while in elementary school.

I was digging through my box of old books recently and when I found my co In the fourth grade my elementary school had Kenneth Thomasma come to our school to do a talk on his new book: I was digging through my box of old books recently and when I found my copy, I thought my kids would love it. I was absolutely right. Naya Nuki is a Shoshoni who is captured, along with her friend Sacajawea, and taken a thousand miles from home.

When she realizes that she will be a slave and possibly sold to the white men, Naya Nuki decides to escape and somehow rejoin her own people. Never will you meet a more resourceful 11 year old. When I asked my daughter about this book, she told me she liked it because Naya Nuki was "courageous. It's quite a lesson in Native American abilities and culture, as well as an nearly extinct way of life. My kids ate it up. The thing is, the writing is really just marginal, which is a shame.

If the book was written to engage adults, it probably would've gotten three stars. While the story itself is inspiring, the author is unbelievably repetitive and things dragged on to me, my kids didn't seem to mind. I feel like Naya Nuki could've been a beautifully illustrated picture book and I would've gotten as much out of it. I think, however, for Thomasma's intended audience, this book can expand kid's horizons and introduce them to an incredibly heroic character from real life.

View all 4 comments. May 04, Brittnee rated it it was amazing Shelves: I had this book packed away and I opened the cover and found my first book review!! I wrote "I got this book on This book took place in some of Yellowstone. I got this book on one of our vacations to Yellowstone National Park. Jul 25, Madeline rated it it was amazing Shelves: My absolute favorite book in 4th grade. I must have checked it out from the library at least fifteen times, and the result of this is that I still remember the plot of the story almost perfectly.

Eleven-year-old Naya Nuki and her friend Sacajawea year-old Madeline: Naya decides that's not cool, and after her friend gets sold to French traders she starts making plans to blow that popsicle stand and find her trib My absolute favorite book in 4th grade. Naya decides that's not cool, and after her friend gets sold to French traders she starts making plans to blow that popsicle stand and find her tribe again. She steals supplies, hides them, and waits for a stormy night so she can get away without being tracked.

Over the course of her journey she kills stuff, evades enemy scouts, escapes a bear attack, cures herself when she gets sick I could go on. Honestly, there is not one thing this girl does that isn't unbelievably badass. I sort of worshipped this book as a kid. In case that wasn't clear. Sep 27, Jill rated it really liked it. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

I read this aloud to my daughters as this book had been one of my favorites in fourth grade. For the information and journey this book get five stars. Detailed survival and planning tactics for how Naya Nuki survived her capture, life as a slave, escape, and return home make this an invaluable book to read aloud to the age group.

The writing is not as compelling as I remember it being, but the pace is still pleasant.

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We read a chapter or two a day over several weeks and it was easy to remembe I read this aloud to my daughters as this book had been one of my favorites in fourth grade. We read a chapter or two a day over several weeks and it was easy to remember what had happened previously even if we had missed a day or four.

So four stars to bridge the gap between the two ends of my response to the book. The illustrations are suited to the style of the book and the character of Naya Nuki. Sep 21, Kane Fedde rated it liked it. I have a tough time enjoying books that are protagonist against the world. I read this as a kid and loved all his books, and I still liked it. But having only one character leaves a lot of room for stumbling and repeating yourself, which this book suffers from.

It also feels like it wasn't long enough and he stuffed pointless paragraphs in here or there. But besides that, it was a fun adventure. Feb 01, Jackie rated it it was amazing. I bought this book in fourth grade and loved it. All these years later I am reading it with my fourth grader and enjoying just as much! Jun 24, Melissa rated it liked it. I forgot all about this book! Kenneth Thomasma came to my school in the second grade with a giant buffalo skin. When he asked for volunteers to come get wrapped up in it, somehow I ended up on stage.

He gave me an autographed copy for my troubles; wouldn't you know it, but I can't remember what he wrote. Now every time a copy comes my way at work, I check the inside to see if it's min I forgot all about this book! Now every time a copy comes my way at work, I check the inside to see if it's mine. May 15, Jeff rated it it was ok. Sep 30, Jenn rated it really liked it. Mar 16, Michele Fortier rated it it was amazing. I read this book when I was very young, probably 9 or 10, so I can't comment on the quality of the writing.

It could be great, or it could be bad, I don't remember.

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But man, did I love this story as a little girl. Naya Nuki gets captured by while folks to be sold as a slave, but she is extremely brave and resourceful and escapes and goes on a journey to find her people. I was completely enthralled with this story. I spent countless hours playing pretend as Naya Nuki in my backyard, exploring the I read this book when I was very young, probably 9 or 10, so I can't comment on the quality of the writing. I spent countless hours playing pretend as Naya Nuki in my backyard, exploring the woods and hiding from bad people and being brave. She was such a hero to me as a little girl.

There was such a dearth of strong girls to look up to, so when I found one, I latched onto her. I'll have to revisit this story one day, but until then, I'm gonna treasure all my imaginary adventures that Naya Nuki inspired in my nine year old brain. Oct 22, Lisa rated it liked it Recommended to Lisa by: Based on a true story, Naya Nuki and Sacajawea, two young Shoshoni girls, are taken captive and enslaved in by a band of Minnetare Indians. Naya Nuki escapes and after many days, during which she is stalked by a grizzly bear, becomes gravely ill, and endures harsh winter weather, she finds her way back to her family and tribe in Montana.

Sacajawea, in the meantime, is sold to a a white man and eventually ends up married to a French man and helps lead Lewis and Clark on their famous expediti Based on a true story, Naya Nuki and Sacajawea, two young Shoshoni girls, are taken captive and enslaved in by a band of Minnetare Indians. Sacajawea, in the meantime, is sold to a a white man and eventually ends up married to a French man and helps lead Lewis and Clark on their famous expedition to the Pacific Ocean.

A thrilling story for young children. Oct 24, Margaret rated it really liked it. I read this book to my 6 year old daughter. It is a true story based on the Native American girl, Nayi Nuki. She ran away from her kidnappers and travel 1, miles back to her family all by herself. The amount of bravery, intelligence , and endurance she had was astounding for an 11 year old girl. Aug 14, Nancye rated it it was amazing. This might be the story of the bravest woman ever. Toward the end I started checking google maps to see where she was and found myself in awe of her route.

I highly recommend this for anyone who wants to hear how one 11 year old girl found her way back across North Dakota and Montana to her people. Sep 16, Caitlin rated it liked it. Here's the review I wrote when I was 10 years old: Naya Nuki was only eleven when she was taken captive by a rival indian tribe. Finally, the opportunity to run away came. For a month her journey presents courage, danger, and survival skills.

Oct 15, Tonya rated it it was ok. I think I might have had to read this in elementary school. I can see it's value in educating kids around th grades on some of the survival practices of Native Americans. I would like to see it updated with labels like "Indian" and misspellings like "Shoshoni " corrected to be more politically correct.

May 24, Teri rated it really liked it Shelves: My kids loved this historical fiction novel! I found the writing style too simple and redundant, but the story is absolutely fascinating! Especially the epilogue with the historical account from lewis and clark. Oct 20, Nicci rated it it was amazing. This book is incredibly beautiful. I read this aloud to my 7 and 11 year old who both thoroughly enjoyed it.

They expressed hopes and wishes for Naya Nuki and found it amazing that it is based on a true story. I don't quite have words but I recommend it to everyone. Aug 02, Parker rated it it was amazing. Amazing story, highly recommended.

May 15, Carmen rated it really liked it. Feb 27, Sienna rated it it was amazing. May 18, Rainflight rated it it was amazing. I LOVE this book. The gut wrenching tale of a young Shoshone girl who is captured and longs to escape and be with her family. Nov 11, Natalie Sher rated it it was amazing Shelves: Nov 20, Rebekah Haas rated it it was ok. Honestly, it wasn't that interesting. Like, I got a little bored while reading it. The sentences began to run together, and there wasn't much interesting plot Aug 08, Anna rated it liked it Shelves: Mar 09, Jacob.

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C rated it liked it. It was a true story and indains told it around the camp fire. Her name Naya Nuki means girl how ran in shoshoni. The problem was she had to walk miles to go back to her people in the moutains. She survialed by stealing stuff from with her captures and she stole for type of things. She stole buffalo hide for a blanket to keep warm.

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She this story is about a girl who is a shoshoni girl who is taking by bad indains stole her and took her miles and escaped to go back miles on her own. She found a nife in a lake and she used it ever single day of her travel. She last took her self food to survie. I thought everthing sound to much given to her she really did not feel like she had to work. He gave a talk at our school about how to write well, and I still have his writing tips pasted on my bedroom door. What I remember about Thomasma and his books: Did I gain a lot of insight about Native Americans or their true lifestyles from reading his work?

But then again, I wasn't even 9 years old when I read most of them. Most kids that age are simply interested in a fun, adventerous story, whether true or not, whether realistic or not. I didn't even know what the word "Revolt" meant. I grew up in Etna, Wyoming, and I remember Thomasma's annual school assembly being a special treat.

His books were cherished because he spoke enthusiastically about writing. His talks sparked our creativity and made writing fiction seem fun and approachable. It's been over 20 years since I read any of his books. I guess it's not surprising that they have some questionable cultural content. Thank you for this critical look at these books form my childhood.

Speaking of which, it's a shame I haven't yet seen any posts from you, Debbie, on Yellowstone-and-Indian books. They'd be great to show that some tribes consider Yellowstone as a sacred place. I'm glad I looked for this. I adored the "Soun Tetoken" novel as a very little girl because of the bond the boy develops with his horse and wolf companions, and I'm sure I only picked it up for the animals on the cover. Growing up, I remembered it with growing horror.

It's also monstrous disability porn; the boy is mute and still "transcends" his disability to become a "treasure" of the tribe. It's too bad that schools still place these books on reading lists. Friday, May 25, Kenneth Thomasma's books. A casting call is making the rounds in Indian Country Too bad it is for the lead in a feature film based on Naya Nuki, one of the books in Thomasma's "Amazing Indian Children" series, which should more aptly be called "Amazing White Man's Indians.

Berkhofer's excellent book published in , The White Man's Indian: Images of the American Indian from Columbus to the Present. As you will read in Dovie Thomason's review essay below, Thomasma's books for children are quite a mess. And they're old, too, which should have been a heads-up to the film company. They're not classics or best sellers, but they do get put on lists such as the Accelerated Reader program by people who haven't read critically on bias and stereotyping. Too bad the film makers didn't do more research.

Ah, but I err. They're not into it for educational purposes, but for money. Naya Nuki is a Lewis and Clark story. The film makers missed the boat, I think, in the timing for this film, but I suspect they know it will get used again and again in classrooms. If enough people wrote to the casting company which is all the info we've got in terms of contacts , might the company drop the book and select another one? I think its worth a try. Write to Rene Haynes at nayanuki rhcasting.

Let's see what we can do. Read the review below to prep for your letter to Rene. The review is used by permission of its author and may not be published elsewhere without written consent. You can quote from it and cite this blog as your source. Even better, though, is to buy a copy of A Broken Flute: