The Middle Five: Indian Boys at School

Name: The Middle Five: Indian Boys at School
Author: Francis La Flesche

By Francis La Flesche

Open in WeRead

Explore more books like this:

Biographies Children & Young Adult Reading History - American

About This Book

A series of sketches recounts the childhood and boarding-school experiences of Omaha boys, portraying classroom scenes, play, household life, and traditional tales through the narrator's memories. Episodes detail how school routines and uniforms interact with family customs and kinship ties, revealing moments of humor, homesickness, mischief, and moral instruction. Interwoven are legends and conversations that illustrate cultural continuity even as the boys adapt to English-language education. The collection emphasizes personal character, friendship, and the negotiation of two worlds rather than a single continuous plot.

About the Author

Francis La Flesche

Francis La Flesche was a prominent Native American ethnologist and writer, known for his work in documenting and preserving the culture and traditions of the Osage tribe. His notable book, "The Middle Five: Indian Boys at School," provides a unique perspective on the experiences of young Native American boys in a boarding school setting, highlighting the challenges they faced in balancing their cultural identity with the pressures of assimilation. La Flesche's contributions to the understanding of Native American life and his efforts to record the Osage child-naming rite reflect his commitment to cultural preservation and education.