Rutgers University Press The Indians of New Jersey: Dickon Among the Lenapes

My dad had this book when I was a kid back in the 70's and 80's and I read it several times back then. It was one of my favorites growing up, so I was happy to find it here on Amazon so I could read it again as an adult. The book has great drawings/illustrations and the story, though fictional, does a great job at incorporating so much of the culture and traditions of the Lenape, thanks to the research done by the author. Whether child or adult, I think anyone interested in Native American stories will really enjoy this book.

"The Indians of New Jersey" has a very intriguing story. It is a fiction story but could have actually happened. Also a lot of fun information about Indians and their traditions is found in the book. I loved reading about how the Lenape made axes, money out of shells, fires, and gardens. I used it in school for a study I was doing by myself about the Lenape Indians, but I also just read it for fun. At the end of the book there was a glossary of their language which is very fun because you can try to say things like "hey" which is hello or ay'kay'saa which is "shame on you". I think this is a really good book and you should read it.Mom's addendum: I loved this book as a kid and read it over and over. It's fiction and reads like fiction but has a wealth of historical/cultural content. Also great for any kid who likes the idea of surviving in the wilderness/off the land. I'm so glad I got it for him and that he has loved it as much as I did.

For those who might be interested in the customs and religion of the Lenape, I strongly recommend this book. It delivers the information in a creative non fiction format. I enjoyed it thoroughly.

The author creates a fictional story of a boy who lives among the Native Americans in the 1700's after a shipwreck. However, many of the foods, clothing, tools, language and customs are described with historical accuracy. This is a good book for kids or adults who enjoy children's literature. Might be good summer reading for students in grades 4-7.

I had lost my original copy, which I had obtained in the 1970's, and was glad to be able to get another one. This book is wonderful for showing the similarities and differences between people of different cultures. There are quite a few books about the Navaho, Hopi, Zuni and other western indians (Tony Hillerman and other authors), but there are very few on the market that explain the different eastern indian cultures. James Fenimore Cooper's books address some of the varied Iriquois lifestyles, but the indians of New Jersey and Pennsylvania were more likely to be Algonkian/Algonquin, and this book does a great job of bringing their stories to us.