First published 1980
Young Younger Brother feels the pull of ancient traditions in his Navajo homeland. The desert landscape calls to him with voices his family recognizes as sacred. His uncle, a respected medicine man, sees the spiritual gifts awakening in the boy and begins his training. Younger Brother must learn the old songs, the healing ceremonies, and the ways of reading signs in nature. He struggles between the modern world pressing in around his people and the timeless path of the medicine man. The boy faces tests that will determine whether he can shoulder the responsibility of healing and spiritual guidance for his community. His journey reveals the depth of Navajo beliefs about harmony between humans and the natural world. This story captures a young person discovering his destiny while honoring the wisdom of his ancestors.
Genres: american-fiction, 20th-century, native-american
Vibes: intimate, lyrical, thought-provoking
Tropes: coming-of-age, found-family
Setting: Navajo Homeland, Desert
Period: 20th Century
Hardcover · Random House Children's Books