Dancing with the Indians (1991) by Angela Shelf Medearis has a note from the author on the last page. "My great-grandfather, John Davis, escaped from slavery around 1862. He traveled to Okehema, Oklahoma . . . The Seminoles . . . accepted my great-grandfather as a member of their tribe." Medearis goes on to say that her grandfather and his family traveled to Okehema twice a year to take part in a week-long Indian powwow. This book is inspired by her ancestors' experience. Her text is in rhyme and reads easily: "Seminoles rescued Grandpa, making him their friend, calling him blood brother, Black and Indian. Each year we go to visit, honoring those he knew, joining in the dancing, watching what they do." Readers get a glimpse of the Ribbon Dance, rattlesnake dancing, and the Indian Stomp Dance. Samuel Byrd's illustrations fill many pages with people dancing from a variety of perspectives. A feeling of energy, excitement, and power emanates from this book.
