Sees Behind Trees

Ragina Shearer
5653 Multicultural Children’s and Young Adult Literature
Book Review – Native American Literature

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Dorris, Michael. 1996. SEES BEHIND TREES. New York, NY. ISBN 10: 0-7868-1357-1.

2. PLOT SUMMARY
A young boy goes out with his mother each morning to learn to shoot the bow and arrow as she throws moss into the air. Walnut (the main character’s name as a boy) cannot seem to learn simply because he cannot see past the length of his arm. His mother discovers that he however has incredible listening/awareness skills. As Walnut’s mother blindfold him and ask him to describe the place by looking with his ears, “…the longer we didn’t talk, the more separate parts announced themselves: the hush of a brook just behind me and, farther beyond that, the rush of a river. The buzz of a beehive on a tree not far over to my right.” his abilities were revealed. He can tell who is coming before they can even be seen and he can find lost things simply by thinking about them.

On the day of the bow and arrow test, the boys are first tested to see if they can see what is beyond their site. Walnut is the only one who was able, he is given his new (grown up) name Sees Behind Trees and is exempt from the shooting test.

An elder ask Sees Behind Trees to show him the way to a beautiful place he saw years before but has never found since. “Gray Fire put his hand upon my shoulder. His skin was dry and feathery as an abandoned wasps’ nest, but there was a bony strength in his fingers that pulled me into his memory.” He takes the older man, Gray Feet, there by using his instinct. Gray Fire mysteriously disappears and Sees Behind Trees has to find his way back alone. Along the way he finds and rescues an abandoned infant he had met earlier with the child’s parents and Gray Fire.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS (INCLUDING CULTURAL MARKERS)
This is an excellent book for grades 3-6, to be used as a read-aloud or individual reading. It would be great for a teacher to read-aloud when addressing issues of children with handicaps.

In this book a young boy overcomes his disability of not being able to see well by focusing on the other strengths that he possessed. In the beginning of the book the boy, Walnut, is revealing his fears to his uncle Brings the Deer, he mentions the golden corn cakes his mother makes for breakfast and how delicious they were, but even they did not help him to see the moss his mother through. This Powhatan Indian boy is wrought with worry over not being able to learn to shoot due to his poor vision when his mother helps him to focus not on his sight but on his other inner strengths. He proves himself successful in the eyes of his people with his acute senses of hearing, smelling and intuition that earn him the name Sees Behind Trees.

Set in the 16th century, the woodlands are described by Walnut as his mother is helping him to realize the strength of his other senses. It is the time in Walnut’s life just as in the lives of all the other boys of the tribe, to earn their adult names. The boys must prove their shooting skill as they shoot a piece of moss from the sky as their mothers throw it. Walnut knows he will not be able to do this because he cannot see it, but he is troubled because he does not want to disappoint either of his parents. Neither he nor his mother speak of his problem, which is customary of his tribe not to reveal inabilities, but she helps train him to use his other senses. “’When a boy passes the test he is no longer a boy,’ the weroance answered. ‘He no longer wears a boy’s name.’ Everyone stopped what they were doing to hear what she would say next…’Sees Behind Trees,’ the weroance pronounced, ‘Is now a young man.’”

Sees Behind Trees is then asked by an elder Gray Fire to lead him to a place he had seen years ago. During this trip he becomes aware he is worthy of his new name and he can overcome his handicap.

This book is a great resource for any student trying to overcome a personal handicap. It is also an awesome glimpse into the lives of this Powhatan tribe and their respect and admiration for one another.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT (S)
PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY: “Dorris's (Morning Girl) eloquent, beautifully crafted coming-of-age tale centers on Walnut, a near-sighted Native American boy whose uncanny ability to use his other senses earns him the adult name Sees Behind Trees.”
CHILDREN’S LITERATURE: “Dorris' portrayal of the humor, warmth, and wisdom through experience of Native American life vividly shows a different era and way of being.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “8This compelling coming-of-age story set in pre-Columbian America is rich in imagery and chock-full of wisdom.”

5. CONNECTIONS
This book can be used to compare and contrast different cultures coming of age traditions. ELL students as well as others will love relating their own customs to those of the story.

Other Native American books about children upper elementary to middle school age.

Dorris, Michel. GUESTS. ISBN 10: 0-7868-1356-3
Erdrich, Louise. THE BIRCHBARK HOUSE. ISBN 10: 0-7868-1454-3
Bruchac, Joseph. CHILDREN OF THE LONGHOUSE. ISBN 10: 0-14-038504-5