She Sang Promise

She Sang Promise

Juvenile Herstory
"Think of the gigantic 'glades near the end of land.
A mama alligator floats babies on her back.
An itchy black bear takes a palm tree scratch, leaving soft fur tufts
that swamp mice fetch..."
In a poetic cadance reminiscent of the oral tradition, in She
Sang Promise, Jan Godown Annino brings younger readers the incredible
story of Betty Mae Jumper.
Jumper almost didn't live past five. Because her father was not
a tribe member the elders believed that he had bad spirits. A
delegation was sent to destroy her bad spirits by throwing her into
the swamp. Her great uncle was able to scare them off. But her
family had to move to a reservation to ensure her safety.
Growing up Jumper learned the traditional ways of her people.
When she was thirteen she began to learn about books and began to beg
to be able to go to school. She was able to achieve her basic
education in two years and go on to study nursing. She would have
been able to get a job anywhere in the Indian nation. But remembering
children, including her baby sister, dying of curable illnesses, she
returned home...
...where she would eventually be elected one of the first female
tribal leaders.
Readers will be inspired by this highly engaging narrative which
is beautifully illustrated with Lisa Desimini's paintings.
On a purrrsonal note, today was the one rainy day of the work week.
Since I had no work and my meeting on a group project was via zoom, I
stayed home with Tobago and didn't change out of my sock monkey
Christmas pajamas. The meeting went really well. We decided to use
my idea for the event we have to plan. Sierra and Chyenne had some
great tweaks. This is going to be so much fun!!! (Jules)
I had my Jules all day. (Tobago)
A great big shout out goes out to Sierra and Cheyenne. I am so glad
we're in the same group!
Tobago and Jules Hathaway





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