This book broke my heart in a lot of ways, but I think it was one that has to be read, has to be told so people don't forget. It's shameful what happened to these people. This isn't my favorite book in the series, but it was good and had me tearing up at parts. I would recommend to anyone. 4 out of 5 stars. ( )

Like many of the books in the My Name Is America series I enjoyed the learning about the Cherokee and the history of the Trail of Tears. Growing up in public school in Vermont it amazes me how little I learned about any indigenous group suffering that make up the United States (it's seemed more focused on the immigrants and slavery - all are important but doesn't help to fully understand racism and prejudism in the nation).

I liked how this book mentions that the Cherokee were slave owners of African-Americans and side with the Confederate States; I think too many times this is ignored or not taught. However, despite they're favorable opinion of slavery (at the time) it also focuses on the fact the Cherokee were on of the most developed tribes east of the Mississippi. The book also doesn't shy away with the fact that Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren were no friends to the natives and John Quincy Adams actually apposed the idea of the removal. ( )

For a kid’s book, this is pretty heavy reading. That might be because I’m reading it with an adult’s eyes, a lot more aware of the world and what it contains. I actually had a hard time reading large chunks at a time once they got place in the internment camp, due to the heaviness of the conditions and suffering.
Everything in the book is worth reading, down to the historical information and acknowledgements in the back. The author’s deep respect and care for the telling of the story is quite evident, it’s really well done. I’m looking forward to having my middle-schooler read it and discussing with her. ( )

This is the diary of Jesse Smoke, who travelled the Trail of Tears with his family. Within the pages of his journal, Jesse weaves together the incredible stories and history of his people with the tragedy of their journey as they walk the long miles toward their new lands.

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