Geronimo

By Joseph Bruchac

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Geronimo is described as “suitable for ages 12 and up.” As I fit into the “and up” part, I find myself wondering how such a moving, beautifully written, and thoroughly researched historical ends up ghettoized in Young Adult. The true story of this famous Apache fighter is no longer well known, although every kid threatening a cannonball knows how effective at clearing the pool yelling his name is. There is a reason for that, as Geronimo was a brilliant strategist who frequently caught his better armed enemies flat-footed. This story, however, begins after the fighting, while the Chiricahua Apache are captives of the U.S. Government, taking a long train ride into exile. The narrator is a grandson of the celebrated old man, who shares his family story while enduring the long and painful diaspora to “camps” in Florida and Alabama. Joseph Bruchac, author of 70 books and of Abenaki descent, is eminently qualified to help us see these events through Native eyes. The extensive bibliography would be useful to any writer interested in learning more about the Apache and the American government’s Indian Policy.