Gift Horse

Book excerpt: A Lakota boy comes of age and finds his courage in Gift Horse, a picture book from award-winning author and illustrator S. D. Nelson. When Flying Cloud’s father gives him a Gift Horse, marking the beginning of his journey to manhood, Flying Cloud names the horse Storm. The two become inseparable: They spend their days riding across the prairie, hunting deer, and roughhousing with the other boys and their horses. But as Flying Cloud becomes a man, his life takes a serious turn: He must now learn the ways of his people and what it means to be a Lakota warrior. So when enemies of the Lakota steal many of the tribe’s horses—including Storm—Flying Cloud must join the rescue party. Will he prove he has the courage to become a true warrior? The bold, full-color illustrations bring to life this exciting coming-of-age tale from S. D. Nelson, award-winning creator and member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, and provide a unique look into the lives of the Lakota during the 19th century. Backmatter includes a brief summary of the Lakota history.