A Boy Becomes a Man at Wounded Knee

In order to heal the wounds inflicted on them by the 1890 massacre of Chief Big Foot and 350 other Lakota Indians, contemporary Lakotas undertake a grueling 150-mile ride on its 100th anniversary. After preparing with his father for months, eight-year-old Wanbli joins them. Through the boy's voice and feelings the reader, too, is lashed by the subfreezing winds, thrown from Wanbli's spooked horse and reminded of the futility of war as the group passes nuclear missile sites. The book's first-rate prose--which nonetheless retains an eight-year-old's voice and sensibilities--emits stylistic elegance, and pride in this youngster's achievement. The color photographs, unfortunately, are small in size and scope, and fail to capture the majesty of the voyagers' route. Still, this singular story offers a gratifying blend of exciting, in-depth reading and learning rarely found in photo essays. All ages. (Sept.)