July 1, 2024
Gr 2-5-A picture book biography based on the life of Toypurina, an Indigenous Tongva medicine woman from a region of California. When Toypurina learned that members of her tribe were being mistreated by European missionaries-stripped of their native names and traditions, brutally beaten-she bravely recruited warriors from her own and neighboring tribes to fight the injustice. Despite knowing that the numbers were not in their favor, a group led by Toypurina descended upon the mission under cover of darkness in 1785; while most brought weapons, Toypurina only "carried the energy and spirit of her ancestors." The revolt ended almost as quickly as it started and led to her exile, but Toypurina's mettle in the face of dehumanizing treatment is a remarkable story worth being amplified. Stone, a member of the Paiute tribe and descendant of several medicine people, here with coauthor Armand, has succeeded in her desire to bring the life of an Indigenous heroine to the page. There is something pleasantly old-school about this book: the narrative and language are straightforward, the artwork realistic. Dorame, Tongva on her grandfather's side, acknowledges that no photographs exist of Toypurina, and her warm renderings of the woman and her surroundings are based on copious research. An afterword provides further information on a piece of American history that is unknown to many. VERDICT A standard telling of an anything-but-standard story, this biography of a courageous medicine woman would be especially valuable in a school collections.-Kate Newcombe
Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
October 1, 2024
Grades 1-3 Many books have been written about Pocahontas and Sacagawea, but this offering introduces a new role model in Toypurina, an Indigenous woman of the Tongva people. Toypurina, a medicine woman, led an ultimately unsuccessful uprising against Spanish missionaries in 1785, protesting the harsh mistreatment of Indigenous peoples as the missionaries encroached on tribal lands in California and sought to wipe out Native languages and ways of life. Despite her failed attempt, she's hailed as a hero and her story unfolds thoughtfully. Lovingly depicted childhood scenes show how her grandmother shared stories of Qua-o-ar, the Creator, to comfort children during natural events, taught her to weave with "juncus, deergrass, and sumac," and instilled deep respect for the land and natural resources. Toypurina became a respected leader in her community, and when she learned of harsh tactics of the missionaries, she united other local communities to join her brief rebellion. Detailed illustrations fill most pages, with the engaging story running alongside. Substantial back matter (an afterword, authors' and illustrator's notes, and bibliography) provide additional information. This makes for a great read-aloud and offers a fresh perspective on one Indigenous woman's leadership.
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July 1, 2024
In the Tongva village of Japchivit in California, a girl named Toypurina grows up to become a powerful medicine woman. When Spanish missionaries invade and oppress the villagers, Toypurina leads an unsuccessful rebellion and is exiled for life, but remains convinced of a brighter future for her people. Stone's (Paiute) generous narrative illuminates an important eighteenth-century Indigenous figure. Saturated, hand-painted illustrations rich with historical details bring the era to life. The vignette-dotted backmatter includes selected resources, authors' and illustrator's notes, and an afterword.
(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)