This book is appropriate for kindergarten-2nd grade. This book is about a grandfather and grandson sharing Native American traditions. I thought this book was very sweet and educational on the Native American culture. It could be problematic if it's the only book about Native American culture because it's a little outdated, but I think it could still be okay to have in the classroom library. ( )

In this book a grandfather is telling his grandson the story of his birth. He uses traditional counting rope to help him recall the order of events. While this book does have Native American people displayed I would say that this is not the best book for diverse representation. It portrays Natives as stereotypes and is not very up to date. If someone where to read this in a classroom it would need to be followed by discussion. ( )

A beautifully illustrated story about the importance of oral stories and tradition in the life of a Native American boy. ( )

Great story to fill your kid's imagination while showing history of the American Indians. ( )

This is a book about a young boy, and his journey to reading about his grandfathers adventures and life. The book is coming from the boys point of view, and is portraying him as a young person who is wondering about his family history and his grandfathers life. The book would be great for middle and late primary school, and could be used to share about different tribes but also about the different ways of life. ( )

This book about a grandfather sharing his story to a young boy is very special and meaningful. This is a book that students can relate to and learn from sicne there are a ton of lessons told in this book. This book is meant for intermediate elementary school. ( )

I had mixed feelings about this book after reading it. I enjoyed reading the book but can see how some students may have a difficult time becoming invested in it. The story is about a young boy asking his grandfather to retell him the story of his own birth and becoming. What I liked about this book is how the authors Bill Martin Jr. & John Archambault create such a loving relationship between the grandfather and grandson. I know that I, myself was connecting to book, so many students could also connect while reading. One thing I did not particularly enjoy while reading was the fast switching point of views. At times a had to reread portions to make sure I was following if it was the grandfather speaking or the boy. I am not sure if that was the authors goal to really solidify the story and show that the grandfather is passing down the story for the boy to tell. This book shows the importance of relationship with grandparents and passing down of stories from generations to generations. ( )

His grandfather was telling the story of the main characters birth. he loves to hear the story from his grandfather. It shows the importance of a grandfather and grandmothers love within a child's life. I really loved this book because i am very close with my grand parents. So putting the importance of the elderly in the book really connects to me. ( )

I liked the storytelling within the book. I liked how the book talks about passing stories through traditions and down from generation to generation. The grandson wants his grandfather to share the story of when he was born and other moments in the Boy's life. The knots represent these moments and how the boy will eventually be able to tell the story on his own. The rope with knots also represents time passing and the grandfather no longer being around to help the by tell his story. I also thought it was good that the boy overcame an obstacle and was able to accomplish the tasks. ( )

A grandfather and his blind grandson, Boy-Strength-of-Blue-Horses, reminisce about the young boy's birth, his first horse, and an exciting horse race.

This book could be used in social studies when discussing Native Americans. ( )

I found this book to be really slow paced and it took a while to to get to the main point of the passage. I also felt that it would take some to time realize that the little boy was in fact blind for younger readers. I do not believe that this book would be able to keep the interest of the readers. Although I can appreciate how the author allowed us to see the world through the boys eyes. ( )

I had mixed feelings about the book after reading it. The story is about a grandfather telling his grandson of the night he was born and how he got his name. When the boy was born, he was ill, and his parents weren't sure if he was going to make it. The grandfather brought him outside where two blue horse stopped. The little boy stuck out his hand towards the horses, and the horses gave him the courage to see in the dark. Throughout the story, it is revealed that the little boy was born blind. The knots on the counting rope symbolize the boy's courage for overcoming his disability. I enjoyed this book because I like how the wisdom and courage where being passed down from one generation to the next throughout the book. Every page you could tell how much the little boy loved and looked up to his grandfather. Secondly, I enjoyed this book because organizing of the plot and how the story unfolds. As the story begins readers are unaware of the little boy's disability but, through reading the book it is revealed. One reason I did not enjoy this book was that I believe it did not represent native American people correctly. Overall, this book promotes self-confidence and to believe in yourself. ( )

I can't help it. It makes me cry every time. "And the wind cried Boy-eee!" And "with the strength of Blue Horses." I just look at the cover and ball like a baby! ( )

This book was very heartwarming for a number of reasons including the writing style, the illustrations, and the way the book pushes readers. This story is a tale of a young boy in an Indian tribe finding his own confidence in his blindness. His grandfather often retells the story of the young boy's birth and growth which encourages the young boy. He uses a counting rope as a metaphor for time and the emerging confidence the boy has with each knot in the rope. The writing style of this book was very organized in the way that it flowed. The text was set up in a stanza form, appropriating the dialogue style of the grandfather telling the story. The illustrations were wonderful paintings that appropriated the mood of the story. The story was based around a campfire, so the illustrations were very dark, but they were also very enchanting and bright which matched the scenery of the overall Indian land. I liked how this book pushes readers to believe that they can do anything, no matter the exceptionality or obstacle. "I wasn't afraid, Grandfather. I could see through the dark every turn of the race." I believe the overall message of this story is finding confidence in yourself. ( )

This is such a well written book. The plot is engaging and really makes you pay attention to what is happening. There is also the plot twist of the boy being blind and counting roped serving as a reminder of the boys story of how he got his name. The illustrations are very realistic and engaging, as well. ( )

The counting rope is a metaphor for the passage of time and for a boy's emerging confidence in facing his blindness.

This story is about a grandfather retelling a story to his grandson; the story is about his grandson and his life. Throughout the story we find the boy is blind, and how he perseveres throughout all his trials. Through the story the grandfather teaches him to trust in his abilities and reminds him some day he will be gone, and when that day comes he will be strong enough to continue. This story is very beautiful, it uses imagery and personification to explain colors and events to the blind grandson. The grandfather and grandson share a very special bond through the story, it shows the grandfathers care and belief in his grandson. The book also covers Native American culture well through its traditions (storytelling being one of them). I highly recommend this book. ( )

This is a good book to use for 1st or 2nd graders. I would use it as a read aloud though because of how long it is. The vocabulary isn't too difficult, but it is a rather long book and a little different since it is Native American. This can teach your students about their culture and some of the differences between theirs and ours.You can also talk about blindness. As you read, see if your students can figure out what the darkness is that they are talking about. You can have your students pay attention to how the main character gets over his challenges and continues to be successful and get stronger. You can have them think about the main events in the story and how they affect the characters and how the boy faces those events. Have the students identify words that suggest different feelings to show how the boy's feelings change throughout the book. You can read this story 2 times if your students have the attention span for it (probably do this with 2nd or 3rd). The first time you read, don't show the students any of the pictures and have them imagine the story as you read it and pay attention to the words. After you read it, explain to the students that you did that because the boy is blind and he can't see anything. You can then read the story 1 more time but this time show the pictures. You can then talk about how the pictures helped them better understand the book and which way they enjoyed reading it better. You can then explain to your students that the boy has to use his other senses more since he is not able to see. 1st grade standards: 2, 3, 4 2nd grade standards: 2, 3, 9

I really enjoyed reading this book. The first reason I liked reading this book was because of the characters. The main character, the grandson, was born blind and they did not know if he was going to survive. It was very interesting to watch him develop and mature, he even was able to participate in horse races because of the support that he had from his grandfather. Another reason I enjoyed this story was because of the writing. The story was written as dialogue between the grandfather and the grandson. This made the story more personal and as they talked about all the stuff the grandson accomplished together it made the story very inspiring. The main idea of this book is confidence and persistence. The grandson was born blind and they didn't even think he would survive but he learned how to live his life of his own and was even able to ride horses even though no one believed in him since he was blind and it took him a while to learn how. ( )

Knots on a Counting Rope was a favorite growing up, so I was excited to find a copy on clearance for $2.99 at Half-Price Books. The book tells the story of a blind boy and his grandfather, members of an unnamed Native American tribe that that context suggests is probably the Navajo Nation. The boy, Strength-of-Blue-Horses wants his grandfather to tell him the story of his birth. Each time he tells that story, the grandfather adds another knot to the counting rope, with the idea that once the rope is full of knots, the grandson will know the story well enough to tell it himself. An inspirational story of inter-generational relationships and one boy's will to flourish in spite of the odds.

For those who enjoy picture books with disabled protagonists, good illustrations, or quality storytelling. Highly recommended. ( )

Genre:Folk Tales
Age/ grade level: K-2

There was a Native American boy who was blind and his name was Boy-Strength-of-Blue-Horses and he begged his Grandfather to tell the stories of the night he was born. His grandpa talks about how he was named and the ceremony they had for him. This helped him grow strong and continue to grow stronger. He must have courage in his life facing his greatest challenge of having to always live through his darkness of being blind.

I really enjoyed this book because of the way the story was portrayed. The story shows us that is a grandfather with his grandson telling him about his birth. In details and illustrations the grandfather tells the tale of how his grandson was born. I really liked reading the two points of views from the grandfather and the grandson. The message of this book is that we all can overcome challenges in life and that the love of family can never be broken. ( )

This is a sweet story of the close relationship between an old grandfather and his young handicapped grandson. “Strength-of-Blue-Horses” is left blind after a difficult birth, but two blue horses give him the strength and will to survive. The boy and his horse learn how to run the trail and enter a race. They do not win, but his grandfather tells him he has “raced darkness and won.” The boy loves for his grandfather to tell the story of his birth, the blue horses, and the race. Each time he tells it, he ties a knot in the counting rope, which also signifies that he is growing older.

This book is valuable because it shows the close relationship between the grandfather and the boy. It is also a story of inclusion because the boy is never left out by the other boys, and of overcoming a handicap.

I liked this book for the illustrations and the language. The illustrations looked like paintings and followed the written text. For example when the grandson is remembering the day he learned how to ride a horse for the first time, and the illustrations matched the memory. The language is descriptive. For example "It was a dark night a strange night." It creates an image of what the night look liked without needing illustrations. The big idea of this story is to trust you instincts. ( )