Racing the Sun

by Paul Pitts

Being an American Indian wasn't something twelve-year-old Brandon Rogers liked to advertise. His father had left his Indian heritage behind when he went to college and Brandon had grown up in suburbia-just a regular kid. Who needed embarrassing mumbo-jumbo to make you look different? But then Brandon's Navajo grandfather moved off the reservation and into the lower bunk in Brandon's room!

It wasn't easy having a roommate who chanted himself to sleep and got you out of bed before sunrise to race the sun. But now Brandon's learning lessons he'll never forget. Like how to take on the old ways without giving up the new. And how to grow up proud and strong ... with a heritage as real as an old man's love.

Genres: Fiction, Childrens, Cultural, Middle Grade, Family, Young Adult, Read For School

Paperback

First published August 1, 1988

Reviews

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nice pre-teen or early-teen read. The main character is Brandon, a middle school boy who is Navajo. His parents grew up on the reservation, but his father left as soon as he could and embraced the "white-man" life, becoming a university professor and living in the suburbs. Brandon's knowledge of his Native American heritage is limited to brief family trips to the reservation every summer. As a result, he barely knows his grandfather, but that changes when the old man is taken ill and must come and live with them. Brandon is curious, and a little embarrassed, by his grandfather's ways, which include chanting, singing and insisting that the boy wakes up before dawn and goes outside to "race the sun"--jogging into the east to greet the sunrise each morning. But quickly Brandon learns to appreciate his grandpa's ways, and his "Shinali" is eager to pass along his wisdom and traditions to the boy. They bond over the morning run, and by planting a garden together. Together, they may even help the dad to realize that it is possible to embrace your heritage and keep it in your heart, even as you look forward to a modern future.

It helped me to appreciate this little story by knowing that the author actually lived on a Navajo reservation for 13 years as a teacher, and he includes a brief glossary of the Navajo terms that are used in the story. The story is a little "dated"; it was published in 1988 (pre-cell phones!), but the message of family and traditions is always a good one to read.

[Eli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this book when I was a kid and I think that it's an important book for children to read. It teaches a valuable lesson that's rarely touched upon in childrens' books: the importance of embracing and appreciating your mother culture. I grew up in a very Americanized household, even though my mother is Chechnian and I was born in Chechnia. I didn't know anything about my culture until I was in my teens. Although I could speak Russian and even a little bit of Chechnian, I was unaware the beautiful culture of my homeland.
Children who are born to parents of different ethnicity are very lucky, in my opinion. They grow up with a more broad, culturally diverse outlook on life. It's really quite sad when feels that he or she must be ashamed of their ethnicity, race, or culture. I think that this book teaches children the importance of embracing who they are and that they should take the time to understand other cultures rather than just disregard them as being silly.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remembering reading this book in elementary school and absolutely adoring it. I have had the great fortune of having the author, Paul Pitts, as an instructor in the Elementary Education program. He is an amazing speaker, writer, and teacher. His love for literature jumps off the pages of this book. This story is a message for children and adults. It is important to learn about our ancestors' history because how else are we to learn? The main character in this book is taught the ways of his ancestors and learns to love and respect his families' past. There is nothing I love more than re-reading a book I read while I was in elementary school. I can tell it is a good book if I remember the plot line, the characters, and the way the book made me feel when I read it just by looking at the cover. This is definitely a book I will have in my classroom for my students to read.

[Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a great book for kids to read. My grade level reading group read this.

I think Paul portrays what some children face in our country - Americanization vs. Ethnic Traditions. I'm an example as I grew up very Americanized. I don't know any Chinese except a handful of words. The way I grew up and the way I live are different from how many Asian ohanas live. As a child, you see things so differently. But when you're an adult and have kids of your own...it changes.

I found it really interesting to see the fostering and development of Brandon's awareness and respect for his Navajo heritage.

[Kaija · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had to give it 5 stars, due to my father being the author!!!
It's a neat book and it teaches the reader a little bit about American Indian culture. It's interesting to see the relationship grow between the grandfather and the grandson.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite book when I was a kid. I just finished it again recently... just as I loved it then I love it now! I'm saving my copy for my daughter to read.

I would definitely recommend this for all Native Youth to read!

AHO!

[Ana Bourasseau · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is just too cheesy to be taken seriously. I understand that the main audience is supposed to be young readers, but it has some serious flaws. To summarize the story, the main character is 13 year old Brandon who lives in the suburbs in a modern "white-washed" American family, while the rest of his family live in a Navajo reservation. His grandfather who previously lived in the reservation, moved in with him and his mom and dad because he has pancreatic cancer and needs round the clock care. This could have been a good premise, but unfortunately the novel has some akward phrasing and dialogue that just feels forced, in particular some of the ways the main character expresses himself and thinks. In addition, my biggest issue with the story is when Brandon goes to buy a bus ticket to bring back his grandfather to the reservation without his parents' knowledge, he takes the money out of his college funds without needing his father's signature. Seriously?! A 13 year old just goes to a bank and cashes out part of his college education? It's just not realistic. Racing The Sun has some good themes such as the importance of culture and family, but could have used better mechanics and dialogue to construct a more compelling narrative.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paul Pitts was my elementary school teacher some 50 years ago, even before he spent all those years living and teaching on the reservation. He was such an amazing teacher, even as a very young man, and the lessons I learned from him, both character- and academic-based, have lasted me a lifetime. I found myself remembering him recently and Googled him to find that he had become an author (and married one of his co-teachers from back in the day as a second marriage!) and that he had passed away not long ago. I ordered this book to see what sort of writer he had been. Honestly I had some trepidation because he was not Native and there were many chances for things to go wrong. By today’s sensibilities perhaps some things might have been written a bit differently but I was genuinely moved by the book’s gentleness and deep understanding of children and how they think. That was the Mr. Pitts I remember from all those years ago. I don’t read a lot of YA literature anymore but I appreciated this story. There is love and humor and grace in this story. The world needs more of those things and more people like Paul Pitts. May he rest in peace.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

A friend at work handed me this book and suggested this to be my next read.
"Being an American Indian wasn't something that 12-year-old Brandon Rogers liked to advertise. His father had left his Indian heritage behind when he went to college and Brandon had grown up in suburbia-just a regular kid.
But then Brandon's Navajo grandfather moved off the reservation and into the lower bunk in Brandon's room!
First-off; It wasn't easy having a roommate. But then, his grandfather is singing and chanting himself to sleep. Now he wants Brandon to get out of bed before sunrise to race the sun.
Brandon's is now learning life lessons he'll never forget. Like how to take on the old ways without giving up the new. And how to grow up proud and strong ... with a heritage as real as an old man's love."
This book was a delightful read, it is one that will tear at your heart. I am very glad I read it.

[Jeannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If there is an award for worst cover ever, this book would certainly win. It's taken me 18 years to finally read this one, and I regret not reading and sharing it with students sooner, but I'd look at the cover and just couldn't. It turns out that it is a sweet, tender story with a lot of delightful laugh-out-loud humor. For anyone that has ever been embarrassed by a grandparent (or other family member) in their teenage years, this book is very relatable whether or not that grandparent is living a different cultural experience. I saw myself as a child, my children growing up, and my grandchildren in this delightful book as we all relate to generations that, for better or worse, had paved the way before us.

[Annelise Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfectly written book by someone who has taught among the Navajo people for many years. I have read this book in college, with my Navajo students, and with students of many cultures many times over the last 20 years. I read it again with my students this year. Every time we read it, we learn that understanding one’s culture is so important to that person’s connection with themselves and their family. Tears and humor are embedded throughout this story. This is very underappreciated story and author among children’s literature.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book my dad gave to me when I was about 9 or 10 years old — a long time ago. I kept it all these years I just finished reading it to my daughter, who is now 9. It’s a good book and story but I think for me it has a deeper sentimental vitality. It reminds me of my dad in his many unique ways that he lived.

[Nevaeh · Rating 4 out of 5]

idk

[Avery Vance · Rating 1 out of 5]

no

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read aloud with my son. Good book that teaches the importance of family and heritage. A few mild language issues.

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the problem makes for a great plot. A Navajo boy's world is turned upside down when his traditional grandfather comes to live with him. The main character is a bit too compliant and understanding. He seems more adult than middle-school for me. But the problem is something I imagine a number of Native Americans can relate to as more and more kids live away from their tribes, either intentionally or due to circumstance. What does this do to family relationships, to self-identity? How do people integrate the parts of themselves into a coherent and satisfying life story?

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished reading this book with my 5th grade summer school students. It is a beautifully written story about the relationship between a boy and his grandfather and the connection we all have to one another. It showed that we cannot deny where we came from because we will always carry our past with us to become who we will be. The message hit home with my Native American students. I hope they will always carry this lesson with them.

[Paris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was actually a really good book. You can tell it was because I read this book almost four years ago and I still remembered it and everything. I like this book a lot it was a little sad and it made you think about who you are and embracing it. I would definitely recommend this book this book has stayed with me for all these years it was very well written.

[Bella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many people would say that this is a good children's book read. I agree. But this was an in class book . I think that maybe I would have enjoyed this book more if I wasn't bombarded with worksheets on it. Don't get me wrong the message in this book was very good on the other hand If u are forced to read a book u don't tend to enjoy it as much as u could.

[nimrodiel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet look at finding one's heritage and self.

It's a book I wish I had encountered as a child. I'm glad I got to read it now though.

See where this book travels next: http://bookcrossing.com/journal/4739790

[Steve · Rating 2 out of 5]

good message, but came across really preachy. the 12 year old's sounded like adults trying to act like 12 year old's. (what kid refers to a teenager as a "young man"? or starts lecturing his father about teaching him things? things like that made the story less believable.)

[Atreya]

I didn't like this book at all. I found it slow paced and pointless. I don't see how getting up in the morning and running is interesting. But, it was well written, even though I don't think the topic was the best.

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember bits and pieces of the book. I liked it. It had a sad ending. It made me want to run in the morning.

[Aditi · Rating 1 out of 5]

about the navajo culture

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not like it.

[Brenda Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Native American culture, meeting family and saying goodbye in a shirt amount of time equals learning of oneself and experiencing loss.

[alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think it's a good book for book clubs. It explains the meaning of Indian. Paul did a very good job.

[Princess Mithila · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was niceee

[Shellie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Juvy Fiction and good. It's about a Navajo boy and his grandfather.

[Stormy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had to read it in 7th grade...... it was...