BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bruchac, Joseph. 2001. Skeleton Man. New York: Scholastic, Inc. ISBN 0-439-43961-2
PLOT SUMMARY
Skeleton Man tells the story of Molly, a sixth grade Native American girl who's parents have disappeared. They went out one Saturday night and never returned home. Many days pass, and still there is no sign of them. But suddenly, a strange man shows up, claiming to be Molly's long lost uncle, and declares that Molly shall now live with him.
Instantly, Molly knows something is wrong. The way her uncle won't show her his face, the way he locks her in her room each night, and the way he always sneaks off to the shed in the backyard all lead Molly to believe that this is no ordinary man, and certainly not her uncle.
Molly's dreams begin to give her clues to what is happening. Her current situation is shockingly similar to a spine-tingling Mohawk legend her father used to tell her, involving a greedy skeleton man. As Molly starts to put the pieces together, the horrifying truth is revealed. Will Molly be reunited with her parents? Or will they all meet a tragic demise at the hands of the Skeleton Man?
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Joseph Bruchac has created a creepy story based on an old Mohawk legend. The result is a book that will terrify you, yet you won't be able to put it down. Molly is a believable character who is trapped in a situation that many middle grade children fear - what would happen to you if your parents disappeared? The plot is engaging and fast paced. While there are some intense scenes, this is also a story of bravery, with a little bit of humor sprinkled in.
This novel contains many authentic aspects of Native American culture. The Mohawk legend plays a huge role. Molly believes that the rabbit in her dreams is trying to guide her safely through the events that are taking place. This aligns with the fact that dreams are considered symbolic in many Native American cultures and are not to be dismissed. Perhaps most significant, though, is that Molly is portrayed as a modern, 21st century sixth grader. She does not wear feathers in her hair or live in a tipi. More contemporary Native American characters are needed in children's literature today, to demonstrate to others that this is not a culture that is "extinct."
Joseph Bruchac is a prolific author who has delivered a quality of piece of literature in Skeleton Man.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
ALA Notable Children's Book
2005 Nutmeg Book Award Winner
From PUBLISHERS WEEKLY - "The mix of traditional and contemporary cultural references adds to the story's haunting appeal, and the quick pace and suspense, particularly in the last few chapters, will likely hold the interest of young readers."
From SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - "The suspense draws readers in and keeps them engaged. In the classic horror tradition, Bruchac offers a timely tale that will make hearts beat and brows sweat, and it has the bonus of a resourceful heroine to put the world right again."
From author R.L. STINE - "The legend is chilling—and the terror builds on every page. This book gave ME nightmares!"
CONNECTIONS
Molly is back in the much awaited sequel, The Return of Skeleton Man. Have your students read this book to find out what happens next to Molly and her family.
- Bruchac, Joseph. The Return of Skeleton Man. ISBN 9780060580926.
Joseph Bruchac has written numerous picture books and novels. If your students enjoyed his writing, have them choose another of Bruchac's books to read. You can access his catalog of titles by clicking this link.
Have your students work with iMovie or another video production program to create a book trailer for Skeleton Man. Have them use their creativity to make it scary and engaging.
Have a discussion with your students about Molly's dreams. What did they mean? Do they think dreams have meaning?
Joseph Bruchac does school visits, where he combines storytelling, Native American music, and information on his own writing. Depending on the budget of your school or your school's PTA, look into scheduling a visit with him. Students will be in for an incredible experience. For more information on Bruchac's school visits, visit his website http://www.josephbruchac.com
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