Black Indians by William Loren Katz- ADVISABLE

Katz, William Loren.  Black Indians:  A Hidden Heritage, 272 pgs.  Atheneum Books for Young Readers; Updated edition, 2012.  $19.99. Violence- PG.  Sexual Content- G.  Language- G.  This is a revised edition of Black Indians: A Hidden Heritage that was originally printed in 1986.  This edition contains new chapters and photographs.  This is a fascinating historical novel about relations between Native Americans and African-Americans and focuses on the history of “Black Indians.”  A “Black Indian” indicates a person with African- American and Native American parentage.  Black Indians lived among the Indians and were very common in many states such as Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida.  White colonists feared that the “Black Indians” would be a threat to the slave system. This book details their lives, their struggles and their contribution to American History.  I found this book to be not only educational and informative, but a fascinating read.  I continually said to my family, “Did you know that…” and would repeatedly share with them my new insights and understandings.  I think that the book would draw more interest in high school rather than middle school age students.  Anyone who loves history will love this great book.  MS.  HS.  ADVISABLE.  Reviewer: SL.