SVK #44 - The Twins' Big Pow-Wow
In the book’s description, the ghostwriter refers to American Indians as both “Indians” and “Native Americans,” yet in the book, the ghostwriter has a big speech about how they prefer to be called “Native Americans”. I love getting history and cultural lessons from Sweet Valley.
It’s Thanksgiving, and the twins are all excited because the Wakefields are heading to the Mojave Desert to spend four days at an Indian reservation (this is before the “call-them-Native-Americans” speech). Jess and Liz are clearing the table at the same time and the ghostwriter gives us this gem:
Jessica and Elizabeth often did things at the same time. That was because Elizabeth and Jessica were identical twins.
And here I thought “identical” just meant they looked alike. I’m learning so much already!
They pack; Liz brings practical clothing, while Jessica just wants to shop and has packed her brand new party dress. Their parents are giving them $10 each to spend at the reservation, and Jess plans to buy a turquoise ring. “Turquoise” is defined, which is good because aren’t the twins’ eyes described as turquoise in later books?
Steven’s class has been studying early American history, so on the drive to the reservation, he gives the “Indians vs. Native Americans” speech. Everyone expects to see teepees and rain dances like the ones seen in old cowboys and Indians movies.
At the reservation, they eat a traditional Native American breakfast (“maize” is defined as “corn”) and meet people with names like Red Sand, Brave Wolf, and Grey Eagle. It is also explained that white people killed Native Americans.
Liz and Jess go to the stables, where they meet Ann “Don’t Call Me ‘Water Lily’”, who loves to ride horses but hates her Native American heritage. When Jess hears that Ann is Native American, she asks why Ann isn’t wearing any beads or turquoise; she’s dressed in regular clothes! Ann points out that “all Native Americans don’t wear that junk”.
Liz helps Ann groom the horses. Jess is bored and goes to the gift shop, where she buys a turquoise ring for $7. She debates what to buy with the remaining $3, but then Grey Eagle - the storyteller of the tribe - invites her to story hour instead, luring her through the “beaded curtain” with a “colorful feather” and promises of stories. No joke!
Grey Eagle tells the story of a girl named Falling Leaves. The story sucks. Basically, Falling Leaves finds out you shouldn’t be materialistic and goes on to marry a simple man and be happy. There’s also a badass (and by “badass”, I really just mean “bad”) picture drawn of people looking enthralled by the story. I guess it’s one of those stories that’s better in person.
Jess learns from the story that she doesn’t need material objects to be happy. She decides not to buy another gift and just be happy with her feather. How does the reservation expect to turn a profit when they’re encouraging people to not spend money at the gift shop??
Back to Liz in the stables. There’s talk of a riding competition that Liz wants to enter and hopes she’ll win, despite the fact that she’s never ridden a horse before. Since she’s Liz, we all know she’ll win, but Ann apparently didn’t get the memo that no one beats Liz and thinks she has a better chance because she’s been riding for months. Ann gives a whiny speech about how she thinks all this Indian stuff is dumb; Liz is embarrassed because Ann points out that all tourists expect her to sleep in a teepee and do rain dances. Liz should be embarrassed! They decide to become penpals. Liz tells her it’s a great idea because she loves to write.
After Liz’s riding lesson, Jessica arrives at the stables and shares her story experience with Grey Eagle. Liz agrees that the eagle feather Jess was given is the best souvenir. Turns out, Grey Eagle is Ann’s grandfather. Ann calls him “a stupid old man” because all he’s interested in is Indians. Bo-ring. Jess offers a counter viewpoint and tells Ann that she’s the one who’s stupid.
On Saturday, Liz takes two more riding lessons. She tries to say hi to Ann, but Ann won’t answer her. Grey Eagle comes in to the stables and asks Ann if she wants help; Ann’s a bitch to him. He then offers help to Liz, who takes his advice and is a much better rider for it. Ann pretends to ignore her grandfather. We also get the history of horses in North America. This book is so educational!!
Saturday night, there’s a pow-wow at the reservation. Ann is supposed to perform a dance with her family but throws a hissy fit about how she hates everyone, especially her grandpa. Liz and Jess know they need to do something to get Ann and Grey Eagle to be friends again.
The morning of the horse competition, Liz “knows” she won’t win. Grey Eagle gives Liz some last minute pointers. Ann doesn’t do too well and, I know this is a shocker, but Liz wins. Ann is mad and when she goes to confront Liz, Liz points out that she only won because Grey Eagle helped her. Jessica tells Ann, “Maybe Grey Eagle’s not as stupid as you think.” Ann says she knows that, but she’s been mean to her grandpa for so long and she doesn’t know if he’ll forgive her.
The last day on the reservation, Jess and Liz help Ann come up with how to apologize to Grey Eagle. At another story hour, Ann steps forward to share her story about a silly girl who didn’t honor her grandfather. Let’s quote the end: Two pale-headed visitors came from the west. They blew into the girl’s ears and helped her hear. After that, she loved her grandfather more than any other child on the reservation. This brings Ann and Grey Eagle to tears.
Jess and Liz are happy, mostly for themselves and their ability to meddle. The Wakefields get ready to leave and Liz reminds Ann that they’re penpals. Mrs. Wakefield says that their new friends can come visit in Sweet Valley. Ann shouts, “Yeah!” but her brother just says “All right.” I guess he’s heard about the way minorities are treated there.
A week later, Liz and Jess get a letter in the mail. Grey Eagle’s teaching Ann how to ride! They’re excited, and it’s noted that Ann signed the letter “Water Lily.” There’s also a P.S. that the horse says hi. Jess says that’s silly because horses can’t talk.
Oh, and there’s a wimpy cliffhanger of, will Liz ever ride a horse again? Find out in #45, Elizabeth’s Piano Lessons. WTF?