Hi Mr. T. My name is Sophia Kelly. I thought it was funny that you taught at Kelly Elementary. I go to Grant Elementary School. I have 2 Sisters and a mom and dad. I do dance and something called cat's cradle.

Thank you for writing your first book “Naya Nuki”. I loved the book. I really felt all the emotions that Naya Nuki had on her journey. I have never read a book like Naya Nuki before, so it was really interesting.

I learned a lot about Naya Nuki. I have actually heard of the book before but I wasn’t that interested in it (I basically judged the book by its cover). Thank you again for writing that book. It was very inspiring to me.

Sincerely, 

Sophia Kelly

Hi Mr. Thomasma I am Lauren Bundy I am a fourth grade student at Grant Elementary School in Redding California. I am 10 years old I have two sisters.  

In class we read your book Naya Nuki I have to say it was very good even though I am not amazing at reading I loved reading your book. Thank you for writing such an amazing book it was very fun to read and we learned a lot of facts about Naya Nuki.

It was very fascinating to read about how she was taken at such a young age and how she was like a slave. We also found out you climbed to the top of Naya Nuki peak and left six copies of the book.

Thank you again for writing such a fascinating book.

Sincerely, Lauren Bundy

 

I'm Owen Estabrook. I go to Grant School in Redding California. Here at Grant School we've been going full time, but have to wear a mask. It is a lot different, but we still can come up with fun activities to play. I really like to write too. I have an older brother and sister who like to write. We've been staying healthy, and have also been doing good. Hopefully you Also have been doing good.

Thank you so much for writing the book Naya Nuki. It was a really good book. It also helped us more about you. It was interesting that you left those books Naya Nuki Peek, and taught at Kelly Elementary. I thought that was really cool.

I also learned a lot just from reading the book Naya Nuki. I never knew that Naya Nuki was captured with her friend, and escaped, and returned home. I really enjoyed the part where the grizzly bear chased her up the tree. I also like the escape. This book taught us so much information about the Shosoni Indians.

Sincerely,

Owen

 My name is Rubi. I come from Redding CA and go to Grant Elementary school.Thank you for this wonderful book Naya Nuki. I have read the whole thing and very much like it. I would read it on and on and on. If I had to choose from a pot load of books I'd choose that book.

Every time I read a book I don’t really give it a chance, at first It wasn’t that interesting because I didn't give it a chance, but then I felt like I got into the book. It was wonderful. I wanted to be in Naya Nuki’s story. I wanted to feel what it would be like to be Naya Nuki’s character.

I’ve also learned a lot from the book, like when Naya Nuki got sick she thought she was going to die but she couldn’t give up. She knew she would make it home to her tribe. That taught me to never give up. Like she never did. It made me learn even more history to put in my mind. Again thank you for this wonderful book.

Sincerely, Rubi Forsht

 My name is Finn Bjarnason and I am a ten year old boy in fourth grade. I have four siblings and a dog. Some of my hobbies are swimming, camping, skiing and reading. Some of my favorite books are Harry Potter, A series of unfortunate events and of course Naya Nuki.

Thank you so much for writing Naya Nuki! If you wouldn't have written that book then I would not even know who Naya Nuki was. My sister Clare had to do a report on a person and she chose Sacagawea. I helped her with a little part of the report. But now I know that she is connected to Naya Nuki and how she had a baby boy. I also learned that Naya Nuki did such a long journey. I learned a lot of new places from the Naya Nuki book.

It was cool learning about you too. It was really cool when you hiked to the peak of Naya Nuki and you put six copies of Naya Nuki. You inspired me because now I want to be a writer like you. In third grade we read Amee-nah and that book was great! I am soon going to read more of your books.

Sincerely 

Finn,

I am Wyatt from Grant Elementary school. I am in fourth grade and I am loving it. I have a couple sisters, no brothers, a mom, and a dad. I also love the book you made.

Thank you for writing the book NAYA NUKI. It is super interesting and you never know what’s going to happen next. Another thing I love is how it is very touching how Naya Nuki wants to get back to her mother and family and the characters' personalities are amazing. 

Something I learned from NAYA NUKI is that no matter how hard life gets you should always persevere. Also I learned that planning and preparation are an important part of events. It is also crazy to know that the book you made actually is a real part of history!  

From,

Wyatt   

Hi. I’m Sam, I am in 4th grade and I’m glad I started to read this fascinating book! At first I thought that this book would just be like any other book, but no. You transformed this book into a history of a girl that ran more than 1000 miles. You stated things that made me think I was Naya Nuki, the way she escaped the bear! “Climbed up the rugged tree and scrapes and scratches everywhere on Naya Nuki’s legs.” The details were beyond my bealife! You made Naya Nuki’s journey more than just a plain old journey. You created it so she traveled in the most beautiful areas I could ever imagine actually existed in the world. And you made Naya Nuki’s most dangerous times so scary I thought it was real!!! But still, I love the style you write and I hope I can become as good as you someday! You determined me to write more and more and I hope that lasts longer than I can remember you.

You are an amazing author. I couldn’t agree more with you how brave and risky Naya Nuki was to travel more than 1000 miles! I could tell she wanted to get to her tribe as soon as possible! If I were captured from my family I would do the same as Naya Nuki. I believe that you deserve a gold metal for writing the amazement of this fantastic book! I love the relationships that Naya Nuki and Sacajawea had together throughout the entire book.

I learned more from this book than I learned history at my school last year! The way she was cold and freezing, you described it more than you needed to! I was truly glad you made this amazing book of history, and the past, and even what the world needs! I thought this book was more than amazing. I wish I could be as good as you Mr. Thomasma! I’m glad I wrote something for you so you can read what I thought about your fantastic book. Merry Christmas!! 

Sincerely, Sam

Hello sir, my name is Sydney Wheeler from Grant Elementary CA. I was reading your first book “Naya Nuki” from late September to early December. And I was really enjoying it. I am Native American myself and I found that book really fascinating and really factuall. You made the book seem like I was Naya Nuki running in the wilderness. You described her cuts, scratches, hiding spots, and you described the animals so well I felt like I was the one running from them. Thank you so much for that. I would buy the book for $100,000. 10/10 would recommend no errors. I love it soooo much you're my favorite writer rite now thank you for that great experience i really enjoyed it I love your writing skills and your image on books.

Sincerely, Sydney Wheeler.  

Hello my name is Olivia ZimbalistI really enjoyed Naya Nuki. It was an amazing book. Thank you very much for the amazing book. It was a very fun journey reading this exciting book.

I learned so much reading Naya Nuki like for example, if you’re escaping, bring something warm, and how to survive, and stuff like that.

My favorite part of the book was when Naya Nuki escaped from the bear and when she found her mom. All that bild up for a happy eding that warms my heart.

Yours truely,

Olivia Zimbalist 

My name is Tobin Fawver I am a fourth grade student at Grant school in Redding California. I Have one brother and two cats. I like to write stories (mostly horror) and read books ( I really like your books).

 It is really cool learning about you. It is cool that you hiked up Naya Nuki peak and placed six copies of the book at the top. 

Thank you for writing the book Naya Nuki. It was amazing learning about Naya Nuki and her escape. My favorite part is when Naya Nuki came back and she found her mom (It made me cry). It was cool learning all of the landmarks. Thank you

Sincerely, Tobin Fawver

Thank you for writing this marvelous book.  My name is ruby, and I am a fourth grader at grant elementary school. We do a lot of reading and writing at this school so it's good  that I have always enjoyed those two things in my spare time. Your fascinating  book has made reading so much more interesting than it already was, and for that i thank you

I don't think many people can relate to Naya Nuki very much, but I do believe I relate to her in a different kind of way. I believe I have once been so determined to do something that I just wouldn't stop trying no matter how much the pain was hurting me. I just think it is so beautiful that you took what Lewis and Clark wrote, and blossomed a single paragraph into a whole entire book.  That is something truly amazing that not just any human could do. It takes a lot to write a powerful and moving story, but you were so strong and you held on to this book because you knew how touching it could be for younger audiences. You have touched so many hearts, you have moved so many mountains, all with just one book.

Naya Nuki is such a beautiful character for she was so brave and no matter what she did, no matter how hard the struggle, she would do it to accomplish her goals. This book has taught me, and many others, to never give up, and that you can do anything that you put your mind to. This is easily the best written book i have ever experienced, and though i don't  physically feel the book, I emotionally and mentally feel it. Naya Nuki was such a beautiful person.  she knew it was worth it to get to her homeland, to her people. 
Sincerely,  
Ruby Innes
 

That you so much for that book. I love books that are basted on true storys espeshely ones that are basted on true storys about  people. My favoreit part was prodidly when she was united and back with her tribe. That made me cry a little bit and I’m not that tip a peoson that cried from a book. 

The sadest part I think is when Naya Nuki saw the little boy and his dog on the grond ded silent no nois at all. It was so sad now that tim my mom cried.

I think thar was a lesin this story the  lesin was to never give up and to always journey on. Even thow there were some places that she that she wasent going to mack it.

I personally liked it and I think my class did to. I loved It so much thank you so much for writing this book.

Naya Nuki!

Hi my name is Riley. I am a fourth grade student at grant  school. We have just finished reading Naya Nuki. I really loved it.

I learned so many things from it. For example, I learned to follow your goals and never give up. That is what she did. She was so determined to get back to her family and tribe that she made it 1ooo Miles! I think that It was very cool. I also learned a lot about indians and the things they do like the way some hunt buffalo by chasing them off the cliffs or just with bone arrows. It is so interesting that she could make all of those shelters and Forts.

My favorite part of the story is when she catches the rabbit or all of her good luck like find in good buffalo meat or stopping right before she blindly walks off the cliff in the first snow storm. Or maybe It is just when she expands from captivity or when she climbs the wood tree. There are so many great parts of the story I can’t choose one. I am really glad that you made this book. I think that it is probably one of my favorite books.

I really appreciate that you wrote Naya Nuki. It's a wonderful book. I've learned so much about history, and now I love history.  My favorite chapter is chapter 5 “A night to run”.  I like it because Naya Nuki is just so confident and strong. 

When we first got Naya Nuki we got to learn about you and listen to the video you made about why you made. Thank you once again.

Sincerely,

Madison.T 

I learned a lot of things from reading your book. Like that you will face challenges in life. Like the time Naya Nuki gets Sick, or runs from the bear, or gets stuck in a snowstorm. It represents a human being's life. I also learned that you need to be patient. Like when she has to wait for the perfect night to run. She had to wait for a while.

My favorite part of Naya Nuki is when she sees her people. I like how she gets reunited with her people. It ends the story well. I like how they all listen quietly while she tells the story. Also when Sacajawea’s brother comes back shouting good news.

My name is Sophia Racki. I go to Grant school in Redding and I have two dogs, mom and dad, and an annoying sister. I am 9 years old and I like learning about how to survive in the wilderness. I think it was cool that you made this great book and I wonder if you met Mrs. Demsher because you both live in Wyoming. If you did you must be really happy because Mrs. Demsher is nice!

 I enjoyed reading Naya Nuki. It almost made me cry at the end because I could feel Naya Nuki’s happiness when she saw her tribe! I have read Hatchet, it’s about a boy trying to survive in the wilderness but Naya Nuki was waaay better. Naya Nuki was really amazing because 

I learned that Sacajawea had gotten captured and she had a friend because in first grade they said that Lewis and Clark had met Sacajawea still in her own Shoshone tribe but now I know that that was not true!

I thought that it was amazing that you climbed Naya Nuki peak and left six covers at the top. Thank you sooo much for writing that book because I enjoyed it and it taught me alot about history. I love it so much I will most likely beg my mom to get me that book!

Sincerely 

Sophia Racki

My name is Luci Mieling and I’m a fourth grade student at Grant Elementary School. I’ve just finished reading Naya Nuki and It is such an extraordinary book. 

I learned that bravery can be found anywhere, even an eleven year old indian girl. I love the way that she never gave up no matter how hard things got and sometimes hard things went to being stuck in a snowstorm to getting attacked by a bear. I know that she never gave up for even a second in her journey.

My favorite part was probably the last chapter of the book. Chapter fifteen started out like any chapter, she wasn’t in danger and something big hadn’t happened yet. Though at the end of the chapter my mind was blown. I love the picture of her hugging her mom. She shows so much love for her people, so much love she ran one thousand miles. Her bravery is so astonishing. I wish I had as much courage as her. I can't believe that she actually made it. Unlike me she never wasted any food on her journey. She used almost all parts of animals she caught or found. She even ate livers, hearts, and brains. I have never tried such strange food.

From

Your Biggest Fan,

     Luci

 My name is Connor and I go to grant school in Redding California. By the way I loved the book it was so exciting my favorite part was when Naya Nuki remembered the stories and dug a hole then she went to bed and Naya Nuki woke up next to a valley. 

Thankyou for the book I learned that prairie indians bury dead indians up high and kill their pet I also learned that shishoni indians call guns fire sticks.

I would love to read more of your books most likely I will buy some again thank you for the book. 

The book was great so thank you Mr. Thomasma bye. ( :

sincerely Connor

Hello my name is Tanner Meadows at Grant School Cougars in fourth grade and im 10! The book I like the book you wrote is a really good book!  We have just finished Naya Nuki.  

My favorite part of Naya Nuki was basically the whole book.But one thing that stuck out to me was when she Finally got home To her tribe The shoshoni people but one sad part was that one of her brothers died.

One thing I learned from Naya Nuki is that survival in the wilderness is important. You need to catch fish or whatever you need to stay alive and stay hiding if needed.

Sincerely

Taner Meadows.

Hi! I'm your biggest fan! My name is Isabel. I’m a fourth grade student at Grant Elementary School and absolutely LOVE to write! My class and I have just finished reading the wondrous book of yours, Naya Nuki. I really look up to authors like you. Ever since I was three years old, my parents and I  would make little paper books together. Now I’m 10 and over the past year I have written two and a half thick journals full of adventure, stunning relationships, and a brain-full of more beautiful words. 

Alright, enough of me. You don’t need to know my life story! More about YOUR incredulous story. The story of Naya Nuki is so deep, so unbelievable, that at moments it just took my breath away! I learned so much from Naya Nuki. I would probably never survive and thrive like Naya Nuki on her adventure. The survival skills that you shared were just rousing my imagination and making it glow. I learned lots of stories from her Shoshoni people and from other Indians too. Many lessons also stirred throughout the words and swirling, adventurous, emotions settled between the sentences. 

Last but not least, ( I know you're probably tired of me blabbing about) my favorite part of your book was when Naya Nuki reunited with her mother. Oh, how do I put this in the form of words? Though I know nothing is impossible, I just can’t do a thorough job of explaining how much it reminded me of my love towards my mother. Even though sometimes I might be frustrated with her and not think how lucky I am, that would be me and my mom if I was put into the situation of Naya Nuki. Hugging and crying, tears made of pure relief and joy. Ah, I see you’ve read the whole thing! Well, thank you! And thankyou for writing, Naya Nuki. Happy holidays!

Yours truly,

 Isabel

   

My name is Dustin. I am in fourth grade at grant school. I am nine years old. We just finished the book Naya Nuki. I really liked the book. It was a great story that I think many people could connect with. It was one of the best books that we have read in the class.

I learned a lot of interesting things from the book like how someone can make it that far without help, especially a kid. She has actually taught me a lot like all the challenges she has to face such as the bear, the snowstorm, the other Indians, and the coyotes.  I also learned that you have to wait like how she had to wait for a rainy night to run.

My favorite part of the book is when Naya Nuki makes it back to her people. It makes me think of how sad I would be if I got taken away. I would be excited too to make it back to my family. Clearly, this is a great book.

Sincerely, Dustin

Hello, my name is Ally Trisdale. I am 10 years old and go to Grant Elementary School in Redding CA. I’m in fourth grade and my teacher's name is Mr. Kelley. We are learning long division in school and we did a test today and I got a 98% which is good to me. I can’t believe how long it took you to write this wonderful book Naya Nuki. I enjoyed reading Naya Nuki. It was an awesome, and fantastic book. I am so happy you decided to write about the Shoshoni Girl Who Ran. If you happen see the illustrator tell him/her,”you did a great job,”I love the illustrations. I just love the book. I could read it like one hundred times. Enough of me let's move on to you.

When I was reading this book I learned a lot of things like, how to survive in the wilderness and if you are determined to do something then just try hard and you will probably be able to do what you wanted to do. I have read a lot of books over the years and this one is the best one. At first I thought it was boring because I personally do not like Indians, but this book was one of the best books ever. Sorry I was judging your book, but now I know that I should not have judged your book. I really never have done that.

My favorite part of the book is every part of the book. I can not decide which part of the book is my favorite although, if I had to decide, I would pick when Naya Nuki makes it home and when she sees sacajawea again. I would pick that because it's such a happy situation. I just don’t know how to thank you enough for this wonderful book. Like I have said before I absolutely love this book. Happy holidays and have a good rest of your life reading and writing books.

Sincerely

Ally. L. Trisdale.