Product Description

In 1764, when Kaya and her family reunite with other Nez Percâe Indians to fish for the red salmon, she learns that bragging, even about her swift horse, can lead to trouble. Includes historical notes on the Nez Percâe Indians.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #266139 in Books
• Published on: 2002-09
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 80 pages

From Publishers Weekly
The American Girls Collection welcomes a new character: Kaya, a member of the Nez Perce tribe. Billed as the "first" American Girl, Kaya's story takes place in 1764, before European-Americans made their way to the Pacific Northwest. The series, written in consultation with the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee, includes six titles by Janet Shaw, illus. by Bill Farnsworth. The first, Meet Kaya, introduces Kaya as she and her horse take part in a dangerous bareback race and she leaves her twin brothers unattended. The boys wander off, and Kaya faces punishment by her people. Kaya's Escape!; Kaya's Hero; Kaya and Lone Dog; Kaya Shows the Way; and Changes for Kaya will be released simultaneously. Each contains a "Looking Back" section, with photographs, that provides historical details about the Nez Perce tribe.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Reviewed with Janet Shaw's Kaya's Escape!

Gr. 3-5. In 1764, nine-year-old Kaya lives in the traditional homeland of the Nez Perce tribe (present-day Idaho, Washington, and Oregon) with her parents, siblings, and Speaking Rain, a blind girl. In Meet Kaya, she neglects her duties and, when the other children find out, she wonders if she will ever live it down. In Kaya's Escape, Kaya and Speaking Rain are captured and taken to an enemy's camp. Determined to escape, Kaya struggles to make it home through the bitter winter weather without supplies. Nez Perce words are used throughout both stories, and a glossary is appended. A closing section in both titles provides cultural and historical information as well as pictures of the Nimiipuu, known today as the Nez Perce. The editorial staff of Pleasant Company worked with the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Council to create an advisory board that supervised all aspects of the project, including the decision to set the story before contact with white explorers and settlers. Both historically accurate and culturally sensitive, Kaya's stories are welcome additions to this publisher's output and a noteworthy result of a unique collaboration. Karen Hutt
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Customer Reviews

Good story, excellent illustrations
This is the first book in the American Girls series about Kaya'aton'my', a nine-year-old Native-American girl growing up among the Nez Perce people in 1764. In this book, we meet Kaya, who is so proud of her horse. However, when Kaya leaves her little brothers (whom she is supposed to be watching) to race, she lands all of the children in trouble. And now, having earned the nickname of Magpie (a thoughtless bird), she finds that she has a lot to learn. But, seeking to help those around her, Kaya sets out to be a better person.

My daughter loves Kaya, and really enjoyed this book. The story was good (if a little unfocused), and the illustrations excellent. Unlike most other American Girls, Kaya's religion is alive for her and part of her life, which makes me wonder why they didn't do this for the others. Anyway, my daughter and I bother liked this book, and highly recommend it to you.

Kaya Series
American Girl Series

Are you looking for a book that takes you on adventures? Well if you are, the American Girl series is a great place to start!
The books are about nine to eleven year old girls. They take you back in time as late as the 1700s. They let you learn about different cultures and about what a girl's life was like back then. If you are dieing for a great book, choose a book from the American Girl series.

Rebecca, 9
Cunniff Elementary School
Watertown, MA

Meeting Kaya
Kaya is a Nez Perce Native American girl growing up around Oregon. This book introduces you to her, and tells you about the way her people do things. There are also a few pages in the back of the book that tell you about the Nez Perce and show real photographs of Nez Perce people and their things. The best words to describe Kaya would be brave, adventurous, curious, and loving. Kaya is also a little cocky, but is learning to bite her tongue when she feels herself bragging. Actually, it is bragging that gets her into a mess and earns her a bothersome nickname. There isn't very much action in this book, but that's okay, because I love hearing about the Nez Perce people and their ways. The art in the book is very colorful, and the writing is very descriptive and makes Kaya's world easy to imagine.

I would recommend this book to you if you like American Girl, are learning about the Nez Perce, or want a good series to read about a Native American girl. I would not recommend this book to you if you are looking for a book about magic, or the typical school-story type of book.