Humboldt State University

                  
Knots on a Counting Rope
By Bill Martin Jr.
Ages 8-12
Pages 30
1966 & 1987 Henry Holt & Co., Inc.
Isbn: 0-8050-0571-4

Rating: Fair

Boy-Strength-of-Blue-Horses, with the help of his grandfather, is learning to tell his life story by hearing the details of his life. Each time the story is told a not is tied into his rope to count the number of times the story has been told, by the time there is no room left for a knot “Boy” should himself be able to tell the story.  Born blind and weak, “Boy”, has learned how he got his name, and the strengths in the things that he has already accomplished, training his colt, managing to navigate the trails surrounding his home with his horse, and finishing a horse race.  

More Resources

ITEPP-CRC book Review

Multicultural Connections through trade books
Curriculum

Activity Suggestion: Storytelling is one of the oldest forms of communication. Every culture has special stories that are handed down from generation to generation. Ask three volunteers to retell the story of KNOTS ON A COUNTING ROPE with the first telling the beginning, the second the middle and the third the ending. Review the story with the entire class to see if any part was left out.