Sees Behind Trees

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Dorris, Michael. 1996. SEES BEHIND TREES. New York: Hyperion. ISBN 0786822155

2. PLOT SUMMARY
Sees Behind Trees is a coming-of-age story about a young Native American boy, Walnut, who must prove his readiness to move from boyhood to manhood by completing a skills test that requires shooting a bow and arrow. If Walnut passes the test, he will then earn his adult name. Walnut becomes frustrated because his poor vision hinders him from accurately shooting. Walnut’s uncle figures out the problem and relays it to his mom. Walnut’s mom then begins to work with him on seeing things without his eyes open. When the skills test begins all the boys are given a special test that requires them to see with their eyes shut. Walnut passes his test and is given his adult name “Sees Behind Trees.” Sees Behind Trees’ skills are put to the test when he goes on a journey with Gray Fire, who wants to find the “Land of Water”, which he found when he was little. During their journey Sees Behind Trees and Gray Fire come across strangers which are the first time Sees Behind Trees have ever seen any. The strangers offer them pieces of jerky and tea. After a little while the couple brings out a baby to show Sees Behind Trees and Gray Fire. The couple then invites them to stay the night. The next morning they set off on their journey. They finally reach their destination only to lose Gray Fire to death. When Sees Behind Trees begins the journey back alone he goes back to the stranger’s camp only to find it has been burned and the couple has been taken. Sees Behind Trees does find the couple’s baby and takes her and finds his way back home.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Michael Dorris has written Sees Behind Trees as a coming-of-age story that is in chronological order with several memory flashbacks sprinkled throughout. This story is written through the eyes and voice of Sees Behind Trees. The plot centers around Sees Behind Trees poor vision and the gift to use his senses to help Gray Fire find his “Land of Water,” which he has never been able to go back to. There are several underlying themes including, you can take your weakness and turn it into strength and overcoming problems are a big part of life. This story is intertwined with cultural markers all throughout. These markes include; when the boys of the tribe become men when they turn twelve by taking a skills test, their years are counted by the passing of the moons, when they pass the skills test they are given an adult name which signifies their ability such as Gray Fire and Brings’ the Deer; clothes and tools that were used by Native Americans such as, “I pulled a deerskin robe closer around my chest,” (48) and “I packed some flint, shell knife, a strong coiled rope of grapevine.” He hesitated. “Ashes from the cooking fire,” he added gruffly. “ To remind you where you live.”(50), There is also the mention of using medicine which Native Americans used to heal, an example is when Gray Fire explained how Otter wrapped his damaged foot in poultice (soft, moist mass of cloth, bread, meal, herbs applied hot as a medicament to the body) made of leaves. (43) Another cultural marker described Gray Fire with, “black hair was streaked with white and his face was brown and round as a chestnut. With so many cultural markers it helps to give authenticity to the story that will help readers to connect to the emotions that are presented and the knowledge that, it doesn’t matter what culture or century you grow up in, growing up has the same basic elements.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Publisher’s Weekly: “The authenticity of the characterizations and setting will ease readers toward acceptance of the quasi-mystical adventure that crowns the story. It's a thrilling read, with the pleasures compounding at every turn of the page.”
School Library Journal: “There's a timeless quality to this 15th-century adventure that will be meaningful and immediate for young people today.”

Kirkus Review: “The exquisitely crafted language remains so simple it can be enjoyed by middle-graders, while the brevity and adventure promise wide readership among less-skilled teenage readers.”

5. CONNECTION
Borris, Michael. MORNING GIRL. ISBN 9780786813582
Borris, Michael. GUEST. ISBN 9780786813568
Borris, Michael. THE WINDOW. ISBN 9780786813179