Weber, EdNah New Rider 1919(?)–

PERSONAL: Born c. 1919, in NM. Ethnicity: "Native American."

ADDRESSES: Home—Tucson, AZ. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Lee & Low, 95 Madison Ave., Ste. 1205, New York, NY 10016.

CAREER: Writer.

AWARDS, HONORS: Spur Award for Best Western Juvenile Nonfiction, 2005, for Rattlesnake Mesa: Stories from a Native American Childhood.

WRITINGS:

Rattlesnake Mesa: Stories from a Native American Childhood, photographs by Richela Renkun, Lee & Low (New York, NY), 2004.

SIDELIGHTS: EdNah New Rider Weber, a member of the Pawnee Nation, recalls what it was like to grow up as a Native American during the early 1900s in her autobiographical book Rattlesnake Mesa: Stories from a Native American Childhood. After the death of her grandmother, seven-year-old Weber moved with her father to the Crown Point Indian Reservation in New Mexico, where she spent the summer with relatives and met two new friends. In the fall, Weber's life changed when she was sent off to the Phoenix Indian boarding school, where her father had also been educated. There Weber faced strict discipline and some adversity, all the while retaining her positive spirit.

Describing Weber's affectionate reflects on her childhood, Horn Book reviewer Kathleen Isaccs wrote that the woman's "clear memory of things that amuse or frighten eight-year-olds and her love for the Southwestern landscape make this an unusually compelling memoir." Gillian Engberg stated in Booklist that young readers "will easily connect with Weber's universal memories, especially those of her strong friendships and the empowering … humor" unique to younger children. The woman's "memories of the ridiculous teachers and underground games are expressed in a conversational voice that begs to be read aloud," concluded Nina Lindsay in School Library Journal.

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

BOOKS

Weber, EdNah New Rider, Rattlesnake Mesa: Stories from a Native American Childhood, Lee & Low (New York, NY), 2004.

PERIODICALS

Booklist, December 15, 2004, Gillian Engberg, review of Rattlesnake Mesa, p. 733.

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, February, 2005, Karen Coats, review of Rattlesnake Mesa, p. 269.

Horn Book, January-February, Kathleen Isaccs, review of Rattlesnake Mesa, p. 118.

School Library Journal, December, 2004, Nina Lindsay, review of Rattlesnake Mesa, p. 170.

ONLINE

Lee & Low Books Web site, http://www.leeandlow.com/ (January 30, 2006), "Booktalk with EdNah New Rider Weber and Richela Renkun."

Westernwriters Web site, http://www.westernwriters.org/ (January 30, 2006), "2005 Spur Awards Honor Best Westerns."