The Girl Who Chased Away Sorrow

The Girl Who Chased Away Sorrow follows young Sarah Nita, a Navajo girl who documents her people's forced relocation by the U.S. government in 1864. Written in diary format as part of the Dear America series, the narrative chronicles the brutal 400-mile winter march known as the Long Walk from Navajo lands to Fort Sumner. The story begins as Sarah Nita records daily life with her family near their traditional homeland, capturing both their established routines and growing fears about encroaching white settlers. Through her entries, she documents her community's experiences before and during their displacement, preserving both personal and historical events. Through Sarah Nita's perspective, the book provides details about Navajo customs, family relationships, and the impact of government policies on Native American communities during the 1860s. The diary format allows readers to experience events through the immediate observations of a young witness. This historical novel addresses themes of cultural preservation, survival, and the importance of maintaining identity in the face of persecution. The narrative stands as a testament to the resilience of the Navajo people during a devastating chapter of American history.

Most readers find this diary-format historical novel educational about the Navajo Long Walk but note it can be heavy for young readers. Parents and teachers mention using it alongside other resources to teach this period of history. Readers appreciate: - Detailed historical research - Cultural authenticity - Personal perspective through a young girl's eyes - Inclusion of Navajo words and customs Common criticisms: - Pacing feels slow in parts - Some find the diary format limiting - Violence and hardship may be too intense for younger readers Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (436 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (31 ratings) Multiple reviewers note it works better as a teaching tool than recreational reading. One teacher wrote: "My students connected with the main character but needed guidance processing the darker historical events." Several Native American readers validated the cultural representation but suggested pairing it with nonfiction sources for context.

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🏃‍♀️ During the Long Walk of 1864, over 8,000 Navajo people were forced to march across New Mexico to Fort Sumner, with many not surviving the brutal 400-mile journey. 📚 Ann Turner has written over 50 books for young readers, often focusing on historical events from the perspective of children caught in challenging circumstances. 🏜️ The Navajo Nation today is the largest Native American reservation in the United States, spanning over 27,000 square miles across Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. 📖 The Dear America series, which includes this book, has sold more than 14 million copies and features fictional diaries of young girls during significant periods in American history. 🗣️ The Navajo language was instrumental in World War II, with Navajo code talkers using their native tongue to create an unbreakable code that helped win the war.