I loved this book in elementary school! I read it twice. ( )

Copy kept for sentimental reasons (childhood gift), but as an adult I now know this book is historically inaccurate and full of harmful stereotypes about indigenous peoples. Not a book to lend, trade, or donate. ( )

Nana Nuke is the main character. Nana Nuke is a girl and she is 11 years old. Nana Nuke is an indian, she is a part of the Shoshoni tribe. On a hot summer day, the Shoshoni tribe sent some of their warriors far head. Then a little later there was a sound that the enemy was close and the women hide and the men prepare for battle. Nana Nuke went to hid in some brush in a small river. Sacajawea, went to hide on a bush and then ran across the little river and got caught. Then, a little later an enemy saw Nana Nuke and pulled her up by her long black hair. Nana Nuke and nine or ten other people were tied to the back, and forced to walk along the harsh ground.

As Nana Nuke was forced to walk she was memorizing everything. Like mountains, trees, bushes, and much more. Then, the enemy made camp, the prisoners were forced to gather things like roots, wood, and what ever else the enemy needed. Nana Nuke was forced to take care of this old lady, and Nana Nuke was the best out of them all. Nana Nuke was planning to escape. Nana Nuke needed a buffalo hide, food, and a knife. Nana Nuke stole the food and the buffalo hide and hid it somewhere but, it was very hard. The only thing that Nana Nuke need was a knife. One day, when Nana Nuke was cleaning he feet, and went to dive in and cut her foot, and at the bottom was a knife, Nana Nuke retrieved it and hid it.

One night, it was poring and lightning really bad and Nana Nuke decided to escape. She had to sneak around everyone in the little house. So Nana Nuke did. Nana Nuke went to get her things that she hid so carefully. Then Nana Nuke started running, Nana Nuke had been running for five hours strait, without stopping. Many,many days went by and then Nana Nuke stumbled upon a dead body that was an indian retail, and she need some supplies, but did’ t take anything and backed away. Another couple days passed and then a bear saw her and tried to attack her, but didn’t succeed. Nana Nuke still continued her way home. Then, Nana Nuke saw a tribe in the distance, and tried to follow them, and it was hard. Then, a brave on horseback scoped Nana Nuke up and it just happened to be Cameahwait. Cameahwait and Nana Nucki rushed down to the Shoshoni tribe. Once they saw and heard the good news, Nana Nuke’s mother rushed forward and reunited with Nana Nuke. Nana Nuke told her great story, and then her name was changed to “the girl who ran,” because she did a courageous thing.

This book is about a young Shoshoni girl who was kidnapped from her tribe. She escapes and makes her way back to her people, having to over come many obstacles. It's a bravery and the strength to keep going even when it seems hopeless.
I love this book! I first came across this book then I was in the 3rd grade. Our class got to meet the author and he signed my book. It is one of my favorite books of all time!
In the classroom, the students could discuss the Native American culture. Also, they could discuss what they would've done in Naya Nuki's situation.

I read this book aloud to a fourth grade class during a social studies unit on Native Americans. It is action-packed and keeps your attention from the beginning. Every time I would stop reading, the class would beg for more, and I have to admit that I enjoyed it so much it was hard to ever say "no." In addition to being full of adventure, there is a lot of information about Native Americans inserted in the story, including comparing the cultures of different tribes, what they ate, their shelters, what they wore, etc. My students learned important facts without even realizing they were learning! ( )