by Scott O’Dell
First published 1970
Bright Morning's peaceful life in Canyon de Chelly is shattered when Spanish slavers raid her village. Forced to march with other Navajos to a distant fort, she faces hunger, sickness, and the constant threat of violence. As Bright Morning struggles to hold onto her identity, she witnesses the devastating effects of uprooting an entire people from their land. Through her eyes, we see the indomitable human spirit endure even in the face of profound loss.
Genres: historical-fiction, adventure, native-american, family-drama
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, thought-provoking
Tropes: resilience, survival
Setting: Canyon de Chelly, New Southwest
Period: 19th-century
144 pages · Hardcover · Houghton Mifflin Company
Content warnings: slavery, violence