Joseph Bruchac Joseph Bruchac is a man of many talents: storyteller, musician, editor, researcher, director, and writer. His writing takes on many forms, including poetry, prose, songs, and plays. Throughout everything he writes, Bruchac’s love of storytelling captivates his audience. Bruchac grew up with his maternal grandparents in New York. His grandmother was an avid reader and a law school graduate. From her, Bruchac developed his love of reading and stories. His grandfather was of Abenaki Indian decent and could barely read or write. From him, Bruchac developed his love of the outdoors and his ancestry. While working with his grandparents at their general store, Bruchac listened to stories told by farmers and lumberjacks. As he grew older, Bruchac began to research more stories from the Adirondacks and Northeastern Woodlands. He talked to “Native elders,” learning stories passed from generation to generation. Bruchac’s desire to share these stories with his own children inspired him to write them down. Since then, he has published over 70 picturebooks, novels, anthologies, and short stories. From an early age, Bruchac considered himself a writer, and he developed that skill throughout his education. Even as he began to view writing as his profession, Bruchac continued to read and listen to stories. In fact, this notion of listening to others is one of the central themes Bruchac identifies in his writing. Bruchac claims that the themes in his work are simple. They are “that we have to listen to each other and to the earth, that we have to respect each other and the earth, that we never know anyone until we know what they have in their heart” (see Scholastic link below). Throughout his body of work, Bruchac does just that – he inspires readers to listen to and respect people and to get to know people for what they have in their hearts. Mr. Bruchac currently lives in the same house where his grandparents raised him, in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains. He has collaborated with his son, James, on several books. He performs with both sons, James and Jesse, and his sister in a musical group called Dawn Land Singers. Selected Bibliography

Heart of a Chief (1999). Sixth grader Chris Nicola quickly finds himself in a leadership role, despite his concern that he will not fit in at his new school. Instead, he debates the use of Indian names for teams and mascots. He also is in the thick of a debate at home: should a casino be built on the reservation? As Nicola fights these battles, he stands up for what he believes in and continues shape his identity. Bruchac stays true to his themes of listening to and respecting each other, as well as the earth.

Crazy Horse’s Vision (2000). Even as a young boy, Curly was brave, very brave. He was able to hunt massive buffalo and tame wild horses. When he saw Chief Conquering Bear wounded in a battle with white settlers, he knew he had to do something. In search of a vision to help the Lakota Indians, Curly ran away, going against tradition. Three years later, the journey and the vision turned Curly into a strong and brave warrior, earning him a new name, Crazy Horse. S.D. Nelson’s vivid illustrations were inspired by the style of the Plains Indians.

Pushing Up the Sky (2000). Bruchac adapted seven traditional Native American tales for young children to act out. These dramatic and comedic tales are filled with heroes and tricksters. As readers prepare for their roles, Bruchac suggests props, scenery, and costumes along with introductory information before each tale. Paired with Teresa Flavin’s illustrations, young readers will be captivated as they learn more about traditions from the seven Native nations.

Awards

• Jane Addams Book Honor for The Heart of a Chief (1999) • Cherokee Nation Prose Award • Hope S. Dean Award for Notable Achievement in Children’s Literature • Virginia Hamilton Literary Award (2005) • Native Writers Circle of the Americas - Lifetime Achievement Award (1999), Writer of the

Year Award (1998), Storyteller of the Year Award (1998) • Wordcraft Circle - Writer of the Year Award (1998), Storyteller of the Year Award (1998)

Links of Interest

• http://josephbruchac.com/index.html Joseph Bruchac’s Website – biography, poetry performance, and musical performances

• http://josephbruchac546.blogspot.com Joseph Bruchac’s Blog

• http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/contributor/joseph-bruchac Scholastic Biography with Joseph Bruchac

• http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/joseph-bruchac-interview-transcript Scholastic Interview with Joseph Bruchac

• http://www.josephbruchac.com/honorsongs.html Information about the Dawnland Singers

Joseph Bruchac is a member of USBBY. Why not join him?

This featured author profile was prepared by Bettie Parsons Barger, October 2014.