The Young Healer

  The Young Healer by Frank N. McMillan, III

What starts out as just another day becomes anything but that for Feather Anderson. Her beloved grandfather, a traditional Lakota healer, pulls her out of class one snowy morning and takes her on a traditional vision quest in the heart of New York City in hopes to find the perfect Lakota medicine. It becomes the most magical day of Feather's life as she saves her little brother's life and earns her newly-given secret Lakota name.

Discussion Questions:

1. Why do Feather and her grandfather go on their spirit quest?
2. What stops do they make along the way?
3. Who helps them during their quest?
4. Feather and her grandfather have several encounters that seem magical or out of this world. What are they?
5. What is Feather’s mom’s reaction to the spirit quest?
6. How does Feather help her brother?
7. What does her mom think at the end?
8. Her grandfather tells her they are going to find her story. What is Feather’s story?

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