Sing Down the Moon, by Scott O’Dell
When spring waters flow into the river, and everything in Canyon de Chelly comes alive, Bright Morning wants to shout for joy. She restrains herself because such joyous emotions anger the gods. Her brother was killed by lightning because of his pride over killing a six-point buck.
With the return of the grass, Bright Morning and Running Bird take their sheep to graze on the mesa. One day, Bright Morning does a happy dance when she thinks for the ten ewes her mother gave her and the lambs that would be born. That same day, Spanish slavers kidnap Bright Morning and Running Bird. They travel four days to a settlement where the girls are sold to Senoritas as kitchen help.
Nehana, a Nez Perce, who tried to run away before, helps Bright Morning and Running Bird escape. The girls steal horses and travel home. The Spaniards and Tall Boy, a young warrior from Bright Morning’s tribe, find them at the same time. During Tall Boy’s fight with the Spaniards, he receives a serious wound to his shoulder and is maimed for life.
Soon after Bright Morning, Running Bird, and Tall Boy return home, the United States government sends Union soldiers to Canyon de Chelly to drive the Navajos from their land. They march them to Fort Sumner where there is not enough food, clothing, or shelter. Many Indians die of starvation and disease.
Tall Boy and Bright Morning quietly prepare to return home to Canyon de Chelly.
(Additional information: The trip to Fort Sumner became known as the Navajo Long Walk. Here’s a Wikipedia article entitled The Battle of Canyon de Chelly.)
