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HALL OF FAME # 8-- THE CREATOR'S GAME: A STORY OF BAAGA'ADOWE/LACROSSE, by Art Coulson, Review by Michael, 17

Usually, when a teacher or librarian knows you like sports and they are trying to encourage you to read, they'll suggest books by Matt Christopher. Not until I looked him up did I realize the man had been dead for years and "the family continues to oversee productions of books by Matt Christopher created by various writers and illustrators, treating the name as a trademark." To be honest (no shade) that's how the books read.

That's why it was amazing when I came across Art Coulson's (Cherokee) great book, THE CREATOR'S GAME: A STORY OF BAAGA'ADOWE/LACROSSE!


Another subject I like to read is relationships between generations of Indigenous men. There aren't too many books like that. (I picked a very different one, HIDDEN ROOTS, by Joseph Bruchac for the HALL OF FAME before.) Of course, I'm glad to see a mom and grandma in this story too. Sixth grader Travis plays lacrosse, but he's not very good at it and he hates to practice and look like a fool. The other boys and Coach Deeley don't have much confidence in him.

When he gets home he tells his grandma something totally relatable-- "I did all my homework before practice. I just want to go to bed and read my comic books. I don't even want to think about stupid lacrosse."

His grandma replies:

Don't talk that way. Your grandpa, Nenookaasii, was a great lacrosse player. He was so fast and hard to catch, everyone at Leech Lake called him the Hummingbird. He was a strong, swift player. You will be, too. It's in your blood.
He goes to his bedroom, slams the door and lies on the bed to read The Sandman: Dream Country. His grandfather steps out of the shadows and asks him why he wants to quit lacrosse--"that game is in our blood as Anishinaabe people." Travis says, "I stink at it." Grandpa tells Travis that lacrosse is "the Creator's game--we play for his amusement."



Travis' mom doesn't believe that her son spoke to his grandfather's spirit but grandma does. Travis doesn't become an overnight great lacrosse player. Grandpa visits him again and teaches him more. He lets him know the difference between traditional and modern lacrosse sticks and balls and "every tribe has its own style." This information was really interesting to me. I had never read it anywhere else and it is woven perfectly into the story.

Coulson knows how real boys talk and interact with each other. I don't want to ruin all the surprises, like the story grandpa tells about the time animals played the Creator's game and if Travis finally succeeds at the big game. I hope others will read this book to find out. This is seriously one of the best books I have ever read. And when we talk about boys not reading (I have dyslexia so it's a real challenge for me) and replacing old anti-Native and racist books with new good ones, I think this is a book that should be well-known and widely available.

                                              Mr. Art with Native youth who play lacrosse

There is a Glossary of Ojibwe Words, more information about the game and recommended reading at the back of the book. The illustrations by Anishinaabe, Red Lake artist Robert DesJarlait go perfectly with the text.

This is my review of Art Coulson's biography of Jim Thorpe. @Ofglades hopes to see more books by Mr. Art soon--he is one of the best writing today!!!!


Thanks to Miss Ann for helping me with this review--and Alexis approved the final draft!

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