The Middle Five: Indian Boys at School

The Middle Five: Indian Boys at School by Francis La Flesche provides a unique and insightful look into the lives of Native American children as they navigate education in the late 19th century. The story follows five young Indian boys from different tribal backgrounds as they attend a government-run boarding school in the United States. La Flesche offers readers an exploration of the cultural social and personal challenges these boys face as they adapt to the expectations of Western-style education. The narrative delves into the boys' personal stories their experiences with both their Native American traditions and the pressures of assimilation into Western culture. The book explores the tension between cultural identity family and adaptation as these boys attempt to find their place in an unfamiliar educational environment.