Naya Nuki: Shoshoni Girl Who Ran

Title: Naya Nuki: Shoshoni Girl Who Ran
Author: Kenneth Thomasma
Series: Amazing Indian Children
Major Themes: Indians, Montana, Sacajawea, Shoshoni, Survival
Synopsis: After being captured by an enemy tribe, an 11-year-old girl makes an incredible journey of hundreds of miles to try to return to her people.

I believe we have read four of the books in the Amazing Indian Children series. All of them have really captured the imagination of my children, and they have loved these adventure stories! We just finished reading Naya Nuki together, and everyone was enthralled with this account, based on a true story, of an 11-year-old who made an incredible journey.

Naya Nuki and her best friend, Sacajawea, were preparing for the day’s journey as their band of Shoshoni moved toward the buffalo hunting area to stock up on food and hides for the winter. Suddenly, enemy warriors swooped down on the camp, and even though the girls hid they were found and captured. As they were taken to the village of their captors, a journey of nearly a month, Naya Nuki studied the landmarks, hoping that she would find a chance to escape. After arriving at their destination, she secretly stockpiled food and tools that would help her, and watched for an opportunity to run.

After leaving the enemy village, Naya Nuki had to find her way along the Missouri River. She had to find food and hiding places in which to rest, and remain alert at all times for enemy warriors, as well as bears and other natural dangers. The journey back to her people seemed impossible at times, but she was determined. Would she make it back to her people before winter made travel impossible?

Anyone who is interested in Indian stories, or tales of survival in the wilderness, will love this book. Even though the main character is a girl, the story will appeal to boys as well. It is written in fairly simple language, but there is so much action that even reluctant readers may enjoy it.

WARNING: In chapter 3, page 42, a mention is made of people gashing their legs in grief.

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