Waterless Mountain facts for kids
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| Author | Laura Adams Armer |
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| Illustrator | Sidney Armer, Laura Adams Armer |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's novel |
| Publisher | Longmans, Green |
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Publication date
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1931 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
Waterless Mountain is a special book written by Laura Adams Armer. It won the Newbery Medal in 1932, which is a big award for the best children's book in the United States. This story is about a young boy's journey to learn about his culture.
What's the Story About?
The story follows a Navajo boy named Younger Brother. He lives in Arizona during the 1920s. Younger Brother dreams of becoming a medicine man, just like his uncle. A medicine man is a very important person in the Navajo community. They know ancient songs, stories, and healing practices.
To become a medicine man, Younger Brother must train for many years. This training is very hard. He needs to learn all the old songs and traditions of his ancestors. His journey includes a trip all the way to the Pacific Ocean. He also takes part in special traditional ceremonies. He even climbs the nearby Waterless Mountain. Throughout his training, his Uncle shares many legends from their culture.
Meet the Characters
Younger Brother
Younger Brother is the main character of the book. His real name is Dawn Boy. However, this name can only be said during special times. So, most people call him Younger Brother or Little Singer. He wants to become a medicine man. He often shows great understanding about many things. This makes his Uncle believe he is meant to be a medicine man. The book covers the time from when Younger Brother is eight years old until he is a young teenager.
Uncle
The Uncle is Younger Brother's mother's brother. He is the medicine man for their local community. Because of this, he is highly respected by everyone. He becomes Younger Brother's teacher and guide. He helps Younger Brother learn all the ceremonies and stories needed for his future role.
Big Man
Big Man is a white man who owns the local trading post. He is very interested in Navajo culture. He also respects it deeply. He often helps the community whenever he can. Big Man and Younger Brother care a lot about each other. They even call each other "Grandfather" and "Grandson."
