About This Book
Spirit of the West tells the story of Jessie, a ten-year-old Nez Perce girl in 1911 who moves with her family from the reservation to work on a large Oregon ranch. Eager to impress her new friends and assimilate, Jessie initially tries to distance herself from her cultural upbringing. However, when a valuable Appaloosa foal gets lost and is threatened by a cougar, Jessie realizes that her traditional Nez Perce skills are exactly what's needed to find and protect it. This chapter book explores themes of cultural identity, self-acceptance, family loyalty, and bravery, all set against the backdrop of historical ranch life and the natural wilderness.
In 1911, when her family leaves the reservation to live and work on a large Oregon ranch, ten-year-old Jessie decides to forget her Nez Percé upbringing only to realize its value when she relies on traditional skills to find a lost Appaloosa foal and protect it from being attacked by a cougar.
Concepts
peril_danger
animal_harm
Discussion Prompts
1
Why do you think Jessie wanted to forget her Nez Perce upbringing at first? Have you ever felt like you needed to hide a part of yourself to fit in?
2
What traditional Nez Perce skills did Jessie use to find the foal? How did these skills prove valuable?
3
How did Jessie's actions impact her family and her father's job? What does this tell you about responsibility?
4
What does 'Spirit of the West' mean to you after reading Jessie's story? How does it connect to her cultural identity?
5
How did Jessie show bravery in this story? What does bravery mean to you?
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