Age:
Middle School
Reading Level: 4.8
Chapter One
“Your idea is crazy, Sunflower,” said Tu’wu-da.
He used her English name rather than her Shoshoni Indian name, I’um-pi, which meant "sunflower."
“You are just scared, that’s all!” Sunflower said.
“Yeah, maybe a little,” he said.
“See, I told you, Tu’wu-da. The clan should name you different,” she said angrily.
Sunflower had used his Shoshoni name, meaning "black bear."
Normally, she called him Tommy Bear, but she wanted to make a point.
Chapter Two
They were the last of a handful of teenage Te-Mouk Shoshoni in that part of northern Nevada.
Their Shoshoni reservation had fewer than 200 people.
“A graveyard is not the place to go poking around,” Tommy Bear said to defend himself.
“Bears are fearsome, strong, and able to face all challenges. But you, you are...” Sunflower stopped speaking.
She realized her words were not entirely true. To continue would not be right.
Tommy Bear was her best friend.
She knew he was brave and strong.
Chapter Three
Outsiders called her people Native Americans.
However, there was no getting around the fact they were considered Indians.
Shoshoni Indians.
Sunflower liked that better.
Yes, they were Americans, but every Shoshoni knew they were treated differently.
Most Shoshoni understood the treatment disrespected them.
It hurt their pride.
“Scared!” Tommy Bear said. “Yes, Sunflower, scared."
His voice brought her back to the conversation.
