What do you think?
Rate this book
Thirteen Moons on Turtle's Back: A Native American Year of Moons
"Unusual and intelligent...An exemplary introduction to Native American culture with its emphasis on the importance of nature." � Publishers Weekly
In Native American legend, the thirteen scales on Old Turtle's back hold the key to the thirteen cycles of the moon and the changing seasons. These lyrical poems and striking paintings celebrate the wonder of the seasons, from the Northern Cheyenne's Moon of the Popping Trees to the Big Moon of the Abenaki.
"This book instills a spiritual respect for our land and an appreciation for the people who were its first caring guardians." � American Bookseller
A Notable Children's Trade Book in the Language Arts
An IRA Teacher's Choice Book
A Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social StudiesÌý
In Native American legend, the thirteen scales on Old Turtle's back hold the key to the thirteen cycles of the moon and the changing seasons. These lyrical poems and striking paintings celebrate the wonder of the seasons, from the Northern Cheyenne's Moon of the Popping Trees to the Big Moon of the Abenaki.
"This book instills a spiritual respect for our land and an appreciation for the people who were its first caring guardians." � American Bookseller
A Notable Children's Trade Book in the Language Arts
An IRA Teacher's Choice Book
A Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social StudiesÌý
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
12 people are currently reading
656 people want to read
About the author
Joseph Bruchac
264Ìýbooks574ÌýfollowersJoseph Bruchac lives with his wife, Carol, in the Adirondack mountain foothills town of Greenfield Center, New York, in the same house where his maternal grandparents raised him. Much of his writing draws on that land and his Abenaki ancestry. Although his American Indian heritage is only one part of an ethnic background that includes Slovak and English blood, those Native roots are the ones by which he has been most nourished. He, his younger sister Margaret, and his two grown sons, James and Jesse, continue to work extensively in projects involving the preservation of Abenaki culture, language and traditional Native skills, including performing traditional and contemporary Abenaki music with the Dawnland Singers.
He holds a B.A. from Cornell University, an M.A. in Literature and Creative Writing from Syracuse and a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the Union Institute of Ohio. His work as a educator includes eight years of directing a college program for Skidmore College inside a maximum security prison. With his wife, Carol, he is the founder and Co-Director of the Greenfield Review Literary Center and The Greenfield Review Press. He has edited a number of highly praised anthologies of contemporary poetry and fiction, including Songs from this Earth on Turtle's Back, Breaking Silence (winner of an American Book Award) and Returning the Gift. His poems, articles and stories have appeared in over 500 publications, from American Poetry Review, Cricket and Aboriginal Voices to National Geographic, Parabola and Smithsonian Magazine. He has authored more than 70 books for adults and children, including The First Strawberries, Keepers of the Earth (co-authored with Michael Caduto), Tell Me a Tale, When the Chenoo Howls (co-authored with his son, James), his autobiography Bowman's Store and such novels as Dawn Land, The Waters Between, Arrow Over the Door and The Heart of a Chief. Forthcoming titles include Squanto's Journey (Harcourt), a picture book, Sacajawea (Harcourt), an historical novel, Crazy Horse's Vision (Lee & Low), a picture book, and Pushing Up The Sky (Dial), a collection of plays for children. His honors include a Rockefeller Humanities fellowship, a National Endowment for the Arts Writing Fellowship for Poetry, the Cherokee Nation Prose Award, the Knickerbocker Award, the Hope S. Dean Award for Notable Achievement in Children's Literature and both the 1998 Writer of the Year Award and the 1998 Storyteller of the Year Award from the Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers. In 1999, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Native Writers Circle of the Americas.
As a professional teller of the traditional tales of the Adirondacks and the Native peoples of the Northeastern Woodlands, Joe Bruchac has performed widely in Europe and throughout the United States from Florida to Hawaii and has been featured at such events as the British Storytelling Festival and the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesboro, Tennessee. He has been a storyteller-in-residence for Native American organizations and schools throughout the continent, including the Institute of Alaska Native Arts and the Onondaga Nation School. He discusses Native culture and his books and does storytelling programs at dozens of elementary and secondary schools each year as a visiting author.
He holds a B.A. from Cornell University, an M.A. in Literature and Creative Writing from Syracuse and a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the Union Institute of Ohio. His work as a educator includes eight years of directing a college program for Skidmore College inside a maximum security prison. With his wife, Carol, he is the founder and Co-Director of the Greenfield Review Literary Center and The Greenfield Review Press. He has edited a number of highly praised anthologies of contemporary poetry and fiction, including Songs from this Earth on Turtle's Back, Breaking Silence (winner of an American Book Award) and Returning the Gift. His poems, articles and stories have appeared in over 500 publications, from American Poetry Review, Cricket and Aboriginal Voices to National Geographic, Parabola and Smithsonian Magazine. He has authored more than 70 books for adults and children, including The First Strawberries, Keepers of the Earth (co-authored with Michael Caduto), Tell Me a Tale, When the Chenoo Howls (co-authored with his son, James), his autobiography Bowman's Store and such novels as Dawn Land, The Waters Between, Arrow Over the Door and The Heart of a Chief. Forthcoming titles include Squanto's Journey (Harcourt), a picture book, Sacajawea (Harcourt), an historical novel, Crazy Horse's Vision (Lee & Low), a picture book, and Pushing Up The Sky (Dial), a collection of plays for children. His honors include a Rockefeller Humanities fellowship, a National Endowment for the Arts Writing Fellowship for Poetry, the Cherokee Nation Prose Award, the Knickerbocker Award, the Hope S. Dean Award for Notable Achievement in Children's Literature and both the 1998 Writer of the Year Award and the 1998 Storyteller of the Year Award from the Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers. In 1999, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Native Writers Circle of the Americas.
As a professional teller of the traditional tales of the Adirondacks and the Native peoples of the Northeastern Woodlands, Joe Bruchac has performed widely in Europe and throughout the United States from Florida to Hawaii and has been featured at such events as the British Storytelling Festival and the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesboro, Tennessee. He has been a storyteller-in-residence for Native American organizations and schools throughout the continent, including the Institute of Alaska Native Arts and the Onondaga Nation School. He discusses Native culture and his books and does storytelling programs at dozens of elementary and secondary schools each year as a visiting author.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
October 23, 2020
One beautiful moon story from each of thirteen Native American tribal nations throughout the continent that shows us to appreciate many things about Native American people traditions, culture, and their love and respect for Nature.
December 3, 2012
The reason I wanted to read this book was because it is a primary example of local literature. My copy of "Thirteen Moons on Turtles Back" was personally signed by Mr. Bruchac to me back in 2005. One of the first things I noticed about this book was how easy to read it was. It all flowed together in individual tales and was a pleasure to read. This book is as informative as it is easy to read.It demonstrated a lot of Native American culture and their concepts and beliefs of the year and its seasons. Also the book is constructed of many different tribes over the north east for they all have their own stories to tell.
The Native tribes have always depended on nature for their survival. And they have tales for every aspect of the beautiful world around them. A way of determining their changing world around them they told the time by counting the 13 moons in a year. They can relate to this by counting the 13 "moons" on turtles back. The book is introduced by a child watching his grandfather carve a turtle. The grandfather then begins to explain the stories behind the turtle. This shows the importance of story telling to the children in the Native American life. The first of the stories explains the beginning of the chilling winter. When Frost Giant strikes the children have to stay " where the fire is bright". They learn from this why they must stay indoors during the raging winters. The next story teaches the relationship between man and the animals around us. this seems to take place in winter as a young girl is saved from certain death by a mother bear and becomes part of the pack. The third story taught more than was written. It was a tale in the spring time of a tribe who decided to just lay beneath the maple tree and simply let the sap pour into their mouthes. How ever the creator chastised them for their laziness and sent one of his helpers (a common theme) to correct them into making real maple syrup. The stories continued to teach valuable lessons and explain the world to he curious reader. One of my favorite stories was in the autumn when "The Creator" planted the first oak tree for the Pomo tribe to thrive off. Once a year the tree would fill with acorn nuts which fed the tribe as are their content took them. I think the author was clever by naming the time of year "when the sun shines the brightest". He uses imagery to better your understanding of the tale.
All in all, I found this book to be a wise and worth-wile read. The tales of creatures and past generations the Natives documented orally is phenomenal. All of these teach valuable lessons but in no way feel like a law book. It makes you appreciate the values and morals of the tribes and their non-violent and calming way to live. I would undoubtedly suggest this book to a friend.
July 5, 2017
This is a wonderful introduction to the various Native American names of the moons that can be found within a lunar month. Due to its subject matter and its presentation the book itself may be a very versatile work to be used for those interested in moon lore and/or Native American lore.
Upon first glance of the book I was confused as to I just saw the name of the moon but not the actual order or the Native American tribe. Fortunately it was through another perusal that I did find both pieces of information in the bottom corner where it seemed to be hidden.
Another complaint that I have is the fact that this is such an interesting topic to me that I would have loved for a series to have been done so we could have explored in depth the culture surrounding the various tribes in their seasons instead of having it strewn between so many. It would have been interesting to see the different listings then compare the books.
Otherwise I did enjoy the presentation format in the naming of the moon and a description of why the moon received its name in that "month". The illustrations were gorgeously done that they truly complemented the pages with their details while conveying the readers into a world that is hard to visit anymore.
All in all it is a wonderful book that allows your children and maybe yourself to learn more whether it is history, lore or even better to take the time to observe the world around you. And from there to see if you can expand upon that knowledge....
Upon first glance of the book I was confused as to I just saw the name of the moon but not the actual order or the Native American tribe. Fortunately it was through another perusal that I did find both pieces of information in the bottom corner where it seemed to be hidden.
Another complaint that I have is the fact that this is such an interesting topic to me that I would have loved for a series to have been done so we could have explored in depth the culture surrounding the various tribes in their seasons instead of having it strewn between so many. It would have been interesting to see the different listings then compare the books.
Otherwise I did enjoy the presentation format in the naming of the moon and a description of why the moon received its name in that "month". The illustrations were gorgeously done that they truly complemented the pages with their details while conveying the readers into a world that is hard to visit anymore.
All in all it is a wonderful book that allows your children and maybe yourself to learn more whether it is history, lore or even better to take the time to observe the world around you. And from there to see if you can expand upon that knowledge....
April 11, 2010
This story explains the Native American “year of moons.� A grandfather tells the story of the thirteen moons to his grandson. Each moon story has been chosen from each of the thirteen Native American tribal nations in different regions of the continent. I really enjoy how each story is told because it gives the reader a wider sense of the many things Native American people have been taught to notice in the world around them. The accompanying pictures are beautifully painted and will surely keep the attention of the students.
Instructional uses for Thirteen Moons on Turtle’s Back:
1. This is a fun story to read-aloud to young children to teach them about the changes in the seasons and what name the Native American’s gave to each month’s moon.
2. Activity ideas: Outline a giant turtle shape on the back bulletin board and have the students draw or paint their own moon season pictures for the turtles back.
3. Students can write their own moon season stories to go along with their pictures.
4. Discuss the differences and the similarities of the calendar year (comparing our calendar year with the Native American’s). Create a venn diagram showing the information.
Instructional uses for Thirteen Moons on Turtle’s Back:
1. This is a fun story to read-aloud to young children to teach them about the changes in the seasons and what name the Native American’s gave to each month’s moon.
2. Activity ideas: Outline a giant turtle shape on the back bulletin board and have the students draw or paint their own moon season pictures for the turtles back.
3. Students can write their own moon season stories to go along with their pictures.
4. Discuss the differences and the similarities of the calendar year (comparing our calendar year with the Native American’s). Create a venn diagram showing the information.
April 18, 2024
I love this book. Legends of Native Americans regarding the various moons of the year, with all the wonderful Native words and speech, very poetic and beautiful! Gorgeous illustrations by Thomas Locker. A wonderful addition to any young reader's library!
July 16, 2019
Beautiful poetry and gorgeous illustrations. I loved that each of the stories came from a different tribe, although I do wish the tribe names had been more obvious.
January 9, 2017
Bruchac and London relate myths from 13 different tribes relating to each of the 13 yearly full moons, using the 28 day moon cycle, not the months of the calendar. The grandfather telling the stories shows his grandson how this cycle is reproduced by the 13 divisions of the turtle's shell.
Turtle's back is where Earth was created and place by the Great Spirit according to many East Coast tribes. That's why North America is sometimes referred to as Turtle Island.
Thomas Locker's illustrations have the luminous quality he is known for, and are a perfect complement to the stories.
Each myth reinforces the Native American belief that humans are but a part of the natural world, not superior beings who should try to control they cycle of life. Always a worth while reminder.
Turtle's back is where Earth was created and place by the Great Spirit according to many East Coast tribes. That's why North America is sometimes referred to as Turtle Island.
Thomas Locker's illustrations have the luminous quality he is known for, and are a perfect complement to the stories.
Each myth reinforces the Native American belief that humans are but a part of the natural world, not superior beings who should try to control they cycle of life. Always a worth while reminder.
August 12, 2013
This book of thirteen poems tells the meaning of different moon cycles in several Native American tribes. The author explains that most tribes have several different names and reasons for a certain moon cycle, but only one was chosen to depict. The tribe that the poem originates from is listed at the bottom of each poem. The artwork is boldly detailed and held my attention more than the poetry.
January 24, 2016
This isn't a book I'd read for fun. I even found myself skipping lines as I got near the end of the book. I haven't read this to kids. Maybe I'd emphasize how people used to be so much more in tune to the natural world. Then we could look for evidence in each of the descriptions (poems?). A chart at the back comparing the names that different tribes used for each of the moons would have been a useful addition.
February 21, 2008
I was disappointed after what I had heard about is other book. The pacing, the gratuitous naughty etc. didn't work for me. Don't bother.
April 23, 2025
“Thirteen Moons on Turtle’s Back: A Native American Year of Moons� is a children’s nonfiction book focusing on highlighting the role of thirteen moons in Native American culture.
The book begins with a drawing of a turtle’s back with thirteen numbers drawn on its back. Following the turtle drawing, the reader is introduced to a grandfather and his grandson Sozap.
Grandfather explains to Sozap the importance of each special moon, how he learned about the moon stories from his grandfather, and hopes that Sozap will someday pass the same stories on to his grandchildren.
The thirteen moons consist of “Moon of Popping Trees,� Baby Bear Moon,� “Maple Sugar Moon,� “Frog Moon,� “Budding Moon,� “Strawberry Moon,� “Moon When Acorns Appear,� “Moon of Wild Rice,� “Moose-Calling Moon,� “Moon of Falling Leaves,� “Moon When the Deer Drop Their Horns,� “Moon When Wolves Run Together,� “Big Moon.�
Each of the moons highlighted in the book is described in poem form followed by artwork and the name of the specific Native American tribe that honors that specific moon.
As I finished this book, I was enlightened by the many different Native American cultures introduced through the stories as well was dazzled by the beautiful art created to further enhance the storytelling process. This book is informative as well as entertaining and provides a great opportunity for readers young and old to. Learn more about the close connection between Native American and their deep connection to the moon.
The book begins with a drawing of a turtle’s back with thirteen numbers drawn on its back. Following the turtle drawing, the reader is introduced to a grandfather and his grandson Sozap.
Grandfather explains to Sozap the importance of each special moon, how he learned about the moon stories from his grandfather, and hopes that Sozap will someday pass the same stories on to his grandchildren.
The thirteen moons consist of “Moon of Popping Trees,� Baby Bear Moon,� “Maple Sugar Moon,� “Frog Moon,� “Budding Moon,� “Strawberry Moon,� “Moon When Acorns Appear,� “Moon of Wild Rice,� “Moose-Calling Moon,� “Moon of Falling Leaves,� “Moon When the Deer Drop Their Horns,� “Moon When Wolves Run Together,� “Big Moon.�
Each of the moons highlighted in the book is described in poem form followed by artwork and the name of the specific Native American tribe that honors that specific moon.
As I finished this book, I was enlightened by the many different Native American cultures introduced through the stories as well was dazzled by the beautiful art created to further enhance the storytelling process. This book is informative as well as entertaining and provides a great opportunity for readers young and old to. Learn more about the close connection between Native American and their deep connection to the moon.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 6, 2017
A beautiful telling of the a turtles back as a moon calendar. Tribes may differ in the number of moons as the author notes at the end but this book covers 13 from several of North American native people. Intimate connections created with the seasons, animals and natural world. Gorgeous illustrations and a taste of many indigenous tribes bring ancient wisdom to little people today. An excellent resource for native history and seasonal connections. A demonstration of deep reverence and love of the earth.
September 22, 2017
In many Native American cultures, each of the thirteen moons of the year is said to hold its own story, and each is powered by the turtle who is believed to contain the mystery of the moon in the shell of its back. I love any book the retells a Native American story, each one is truly very interesting. In each Native American legend, the natural world is a place of great power where story lives and helps humans understand the mysteries of the earth. This book is filled with poems about the thirteen moons.
January 30, 2022
It was an interesting collection of poetry, and the illustrations were nice. But over all it felt average. It was interesting that moon stories were chosen from various tribes, each moon a different tribe, and I liked that at the bottom it told you what the moon was and the tribe who's tales inspired the poem.
The poems are simple and short. I liked that it also included some background at the end.
The poems are simple and short. I liked that it also included some background at the end.
May 11, 2019
Short exploration of different moons of the year, with an exploration of the greater possibilities in the back (because while a year may only have thirteen moons, no moon has to be limited to a single name, even within one tribe).
The text is good, but Thomas Locker's illustrations are softly magical.
The text is good, but Thomas Locker's illustrations are softly magical.
Read
September 9, 2019Thirteen Moons on the Turtle's Back is a book of poems about a Native American legend that involves the moons on a turtle's back. It follows the cycle of a Native American year and the moons. Each poem is about a different part of their life, somehow relating to the moon that is associated with that season.
November 16, 2020
This book has beautiful illustrations and poetry that pay tribute to Native American Tribes from all over the United States. It follows their legends in relation to the moon cycle, nature, and the seasons.
This books is appropriate for any grade, k-6 and beyond. It would tie in especially well with a discussion on the phases of the moon.
This books is appropriate for any grade, k-6 and beyond. It would tie in especially well with a discussion on the phases of the moon.
September 22, 2022
The illustrations alone earned a 5-star rating from me. This is a beautiful book of poetry for children. The thirteen scales of a turtle’s back correspond to the thirteen moons throughout the year, according to Native American Legend. There is a poem for each moon, from a different Native American tribe, and each poem is a connection to nature. I am not the biggest poetry fan, but I loved this.
February 15, 2018
Overall I enjoyed this book due to it having a story in poem form of every moon. The illustrations also made me enjoy the book even more. I would recommend to someone looking for short and cool poetry.
June 3, 2018
Beautifully written and illustrated poems about Native American legend and heritage. Explore the natural world and the thirteen moons of the year through Bruchac's poetic language of a masterful storytelling.
July 25, 2018
This is the classic story by Joseph Bruchac that represents several native people of North America. An important book that has stood the test of time.
Perfect for introducing a study on the moon or as part of Poetry month in April.
Perfect for introducing a study on the moon or as part of Poetry month in April.
August 19, 2021
This children's book contains a legend about each of the thirteen moons in a year. They are drawn from different tribal nations. These legends explain nature. It is beautifullly illustrated by Thomas Locker. I bought this book at the gift store at Crazy Horse Monument in SD.
May 13, 2022
Joseph Bruchac beautifully tells 13 stories, one for each moon, drawing from 13 different Native American tribal nations. I loved the Moon When Wolves Run Together (Twelfth Moon) the best, because duh, wolves, but I also loved every one of these stories and am thankful to have heard this wisdom.
January 18, 2024
How ABSURD that this book is BANNED?! It is an interesting and culturally-significant Native American story with beautiful illustrations.
RACIST BOOK BANNING MUST END!
RACIST BOOK BANNING MUST END!
February 23, 2024
London Odyssey #100
There it is a century of London books.
45 days and 100 books by London and the 100th is a co-written book with Joseph Bruchac and it is filled with Native American Indian mythology and lore.
Some interest.
There it is a century of London books.
45 days and 100 books by London and the 100th is a co-written book with Joseph Bruchac and it is filled with Native American Indian mythology and lore.
Some interest.
February 4, 2018
This is one of my daughter's childhood books. She's kept perhaps a half dozen of those - this is one.
March 13, 2018
I like the wolf moon. And the strawberry moon.
March 13, 2018
I liked the wolf moon. I am playing a wolf game right now
May 15, 2018
This was a good short poem book. I thing that Moon of Popping Trees was my favorite. Id recommend this to anyone who wants some good short poetry.
October 10, 2018
Beautifully illustrated with traditional indigenous stories for each moon of the year.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.