Journeys with Florida's Indians
Kelley G. Weitzel
Journeys with Florida’s Indians launches readers in grades 4 through 8 on an adventure into Florida's past. Young readers will meet the Paleoindians and learn about their arrival in the Americas, then join a boy on his first mammoth hunt as he escapes stampedes and the flames of a fire drive. Next, readers move forward in time to meet Spanish explorers, the Timucua, the Calusa, and the Apalachee Indians–first through fact, then through fiction. They'll attend the first meeting between French explorers and the Timucua and learn how Europeans impacted Florida's Indians. Alternating factual chapters are filled with maps, historical engravings, and modern illustrations. Fictional chapters are narrated by Tenerife, a fictional Timucua Indian kidnapped by the Spanish as a child, whose tales about Florida's native cultures reflect his own escape and adventures on his journey home.
Weitzel's book fills several basic needs for Florida's young readers and educators. It is a valuable tool for school libraries serving students in state history classes at both upper elementary and middle school levels. It highlights native cultures in northeast, northwest, and south Florida, making it appropriate for public libraries, national parks, and bookstores throughout the state. Although there are multiple books on the Seminoles, this text is the only one for young readers on Florida’s many historic and prehistoric cultures. Fiction and fact are combined in an engaging introduction with solid, up-to-date history--in effect, two books in a single economical package.
Combining accessible archaeology and history, compelling fiction, and more than 50 illustrations, Journeys with Florida’s Indians will appeal to all young Florida readers and the teachers and librarians who work with them.
Kelley Weitzel is senior preserve naturalist at the Pelotes Island Nature Preserve. Her previous book The Timucua Indians – A Native American Detective Story (UPF, 2000) received the Florida Historical Society’s Charlton Tebeau Book Award for the best general interest/youth oriented book on Florida history.
No Sample Chapter Available
Awards
Charlton Tebeau Book Award (Florida Historical Society) - 2003
Royal Palm Award for Children's Fiction - 2003
"Must Read" - Public News Service
--Public News Service
"While it is written for grade-school children, anyone interested in Indian culture and Florida's past will find this book enlightening." - Tampa Tribune
--Tampa Tribune
"A very strongly recommended addition to both school and community library Native American Studies collections for young readers." - Children's Bookwatch
--Children's Bookwatch
"Young readers in grades four through eight will enjoy reading about Florida's first Paleo-Indian tribes through Weitzel's fictional stories about a young boy on his first mammoth hunt… Filled with maps, illustrations, highlighted words and a glossary, this book is a good addition to the school library and classroom." - Florida Today
--Florida Today
"Combining accessible archaeology and history, compelling fiction, and more than 50 illustrations, the book teaches young readers what it took to survive in wild Florida and helps them actively participate in the daily life of Florida's Indians as each chapter unfolds." - Gainesville Sun
--Gainesville Sun
" takes the readers on an adventure into Florida's past in a complelling and educational manner"
--Florida Magazine
"A notable addition to children's literature (grade fourthrough eight) on Native American History." ; "The Archaeology is first-rate and the story compelling." ; "Journeys with Florida's Indians will spark the interest of young people everywhere and it's a powerful teaching tool for American schools."
--American Archaeology
"Skillfully written, with captivating story lines bringing Florida's Indians alive to its readers."
--Florida Historical Quarterly
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