Long March (Cloth)

This deeply moving work quietly and effectively underscores the drama and pathos of a little-known historical episode. In 1847 the Choctaw, themselves impoverished, raised $170 (the equivalent of more than $5000 today) to aid the Irish, then in the throes of the great potato famine. The inspiration for the Choctaw's gift is eloquently explained by Choona, an elderly Choctaw who flashes back to his 14th year, when the gift was made. When the people of Choona's tribe hear that Choctaw leaders have asked everyone to contribute, some wonder why they should help the Nahullo (Europeans), who drove them from their homelands in the Southeast only 16 years earlier. Then Choona's great-grandmother speaks, describing the arduous 500-mile march to the New Lands (now Oklahoma), during which starvation and fever decimated the tribe (""Half our people were gone--All the old ones. All the small children. Gone""). Her commanding conclusion wins over the tribe: ""We have walked the trail of tears. The Irish people walk it now. We can help them as we could not help ourselves."" Fitzgerald, an Irish children's book author and artist, illustrates the story with sharply detailed black-and-white drawings that incorporate period ornaments and clothing. The book design, which superimposes unattractive yellow text blocks over the drawings, does not match the sophistication of the storytelling. Ages 7-12. (May) FYI: A portion of the proceeds from this title will benefit Celts & American Indians Together, an Irish/Choctaw organization dedicated to world famine relief.