Tecumsah: Shooting Star of the Shawnee

 Author's Summary

Tecumseh, a Shawnee chief, had a steadfast goal: protecting Native American rights. After the American Revolution and up through the War of 1812, Shawnee warriors fought alongside the British against the Americans. As a respected leader, Tecumseh attempted to form a pact with other Native Americans to protect their land from United States westward expansion. He became a hero even to his enemies after rescuing American prisoners from massacre. Caught up in a struggle for power, this defiant leader proved that he was also a man of courage and mercy.

MWSA Review

MWSA 2010 Bronze Medal for Children, Young Adult

Intended for young readers, this is the story of Tecumseh (1768-1813), who rose to become the greatest Chief of the Shawnee. Tecumseh was the most effective Indian leader in regards to uniting other tribes in an effort to keep the United States from taking all of their land. A well thought of man even among whites he along with his brother Tenskwatawa (The Prophet) almost succeeded in their ambitions. Tecumseh was killed in the battle of the Thames in 1813; his British allies had run from the field of battle leaving him and his fellow warriors to continue the battle alone, an act typical of the relationship between Indian and non-Indian.

This textbook story brings out some of the issues that caused a majority of the violence and hatred between settlers and those indigenous to these lands.  Young readers will get a sense of the greatness that was Tecumseh, a leader of unbelievable skills in war and oratory.

This is worth reading to gain some insight into the times and goes further than most textbooks in describing both sides of a conflict that continues even today.

Reviewed by: jim greenwald (2010)