~ The Warriors ~

by Joseph Bruchac

Classification  Chapter Book

Elementary – 4th and up

The Warriors: A Summary

When Danny’s mother, a lawyer, gets a job in Washington, he must leave the Mohawk reservation where he has grown up and adjust to life in a new school. A skilled lacrosse player, Danny makes new friends, models respect for other religions, and uses his native American spiritual strength to help his coach and team deal with tragedy. This very short, but powerful book shows what real courage is.

The  Warriors Guiding Questions/Activities

Before reading

What sports do you play? Why do you think we play these sports?

After reading:

How was the Native American version of lacrosse different from the one played by Danny in school?

Should winning always be the goal of playing a game? The game Danny and his teammates played was for spiritual healing. What are some other reasons we play games?

 About the Author

Joseph Bruchac is of Native American descent and has written numerous books for children and young adults.

Visit Joseph Bruchac’s website at http://www.josephbruchac.com

Related reading;

Heart of a Chief by Joseph Bruchac

Eagle Song by Joseph Bruchac

Related activities

• Have students research the origins of other games and find out why they were first played.
• Hold a debate on the topic: Do team sports such as football, hockey, or lacrosse encourage violent behavior?
• For homework have students each watch a selected sports game and count the incidents of physical or verbal violence. Collect data and create a class graph. Compare the different sports.

Why do you think most sports emphasize winning at all costs?

We love to hear from you.