"She Sang Promise" is the lyrical biographical story of Betty Mae Tiger Jumper, a Seminole woman, born in 1923, who grows up in the Everglades. She walks the line of an outsider since her mother is native and her father is white, and the tribe cannot fully accept her at first. Growing up poor and isolated, she doesn't learn to read until age 14 when she discovers there's such a thing as writing. Her determination makes her succeed. She returns from school to be a nurse to her people at a time when many wouldn't accept any treatment except from the medicine man. Betty Mae wrestles alligators for tourists to raise money to support her family when her husband is sick. And ultimately she becomes the first Native American woman elected tribal leader in North America.

 

This book was recognised by the Florida Book Award.

There are 48 pages in this book. This book was published 2010 by National Geographic Society .

J. G. Annino is a journalist and writer, whose previous books include Florida's Famous Animals and Scenic Driving Florida. She lives in Tallahassee, FL. Lisa Desimini studied at the School of Visual Arts in New York. She has written and illustrated numerous children's books. She lives in New York, NY. Lisa Desimini is an award-winning illustrator of over thirty books for children and the author-illustrator of eight books, including My House, a New York Times Best Illustrated Book of the Year, and Dot the Fire Dog. Lisa and her husband live in Topanga, California. Visit lisadesimini. com.