Read and enjoyed by my son.

Things I loved about this book: contemporary native american kid, being a contemporary kid. Sensitive depiction of the Reservation -- the safety and comfort it represents to residents vs what it looks like to outsiders. Chris' strength and articulate self-expression. The fearless tackling of large issues -- the use of Native American stereotypes for sports teams, the debates over what a casino brings to a community/takes from a community, the pain of alcoholism and how it affects entire families (this is not a Native American specific issue by any means, but it is handled very well here). The way community support really makes a difference in the lives of all of the kids depicted, from the families on the rez to the school staff. The beauty of Penacook rules for meetings and coming to consensus rather than majority rules.

lots. I loved lots of things about this book.
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I really enjoyed this novel. I am a big fan of Bruchac's books. The main character is such a great character with such a big heart. He could easily slip between the cracks, but he is a force of nature. With his family behind him, he faces many different issues. I think reservation life was portrayed very accurately. Gambling on reservations is a topic which is very relevant to Native Americans today.
I could easily use this book in my 6-8 literature classes. Also, if a teacher was doing an unit on reservations in social studies, this would make a great companion book. ( )

My personal response to the book: It is a good book. The book is deep with many underlying messages. An upper elementary student could read it although a middle school language arts class would delve into it on a much deeper level.
Curricular connections: The curricular connections include the study of Native Americans. The book could be used to compliment a unit on Native Americans and be used for teaching about Native Americans as a MT library standard.

Joseph Bruchac, a Native American of Abenaki descent, is one of my all-time favorite children's authors, and I am always amazed at the almost-comprehensive catalogue of genres he has mastered. From picture books to plays, folktale collections to nonfiction, as well as historical, contemporary, fantasy and horror fiction, his work is diverse in form, but consistent in both its quality, and its commitment to issues relevant to America's indigenous peoples.

Heart of a Chief is no exception. An engaging middle-grade novel, it follows the story of eleven-year-old Chris Nicola who, in addition to grappling with some very tough family issues, finds himself confronting the question of Indian mascots in his class at school, and the even thornier dilemma of gambling on his New Hampshire reservation. Bruchac handles these controversial subjects with sensitivity, particularly the issue of gambling, which has been very divisive among Native communities.

Although it does address some serious problems, Heart of a Chief is a fairly optimistic book, and young readers will appreciate Chris's fair-minded, tolerant approach to life, as well as Bruchac's message that children can have a positive effect upon the world around them. ( )