When the Legends Die

By: Hal Borland

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Synopsis: When the Legends Die traces the life path of the novel's protagonist, Thomas Black Bull, a Native American Ute from Southwestern Colorado. As a young boy he lives in the mountains with his parents, in "the old way." After their deaths he's forced back onto the reservation and to go to the Indian school, where he's to learn English and a trade such as farming, sheep herding, woodworking, etc. His life journey takes him to a man who trains him to ride broncos and to run a scam, but eventually he becomes his own man and an expert rodeo bronco rider. He takes his bitterness and hatred out on the broncs, riding some of them to death. Eventually, after various experiences, he ends up back on the mountain, completing a circle, and finds his true self, pride iin his inheritance, and peace. This is number 46 (out of 150) on Publishers' Weekly list of best-selling children's books of all time (through the end of 2000). It's listed as a young-adult book, recommended for ages 13 - 17. It seems to be on recommended reading lists and/or required reqding in some school districts.