* BOOK SIGNING News!
Gina Capaldi will be signing her new book at the Borders Bookstore in Montclair on April 4, 2008 from 4pm to 8pm. Borders is located at 5055 S. Montclair Plaza Lane, Montclair, CA 91763
A BOY NAMED BECKONING tells the true story of Wassaja, a young Yavapai boy who was captured by the a Southwestern tribe of Pima indians in 1871, and who grew up to become a prominent doctor and Native American activist. The story of Wassaja - who later takes the name Carlos Montezuma - is a wonderfully inspired tale, beautifully illustrated and fleshed out in narrative that was based on Montezuma's own words.
From boyhood slavery to esteemed physician, Dr. Montezuma's saga begins one frightening night in 19th century Arizona Territory when he's taken captive. A kindly Italian photographer traversing the American West and recording images of the vanishing frontier, later purchases the boy from his Pima captors. The book recounts his tales of meeting up with his sisters, seeing the "Iron Horse" for the first time, appearing with Buffalo Bill in a staged Wild West production. His astonishing gift for learning led him to study attend University at the age of 14, and subsequently accepted into medical school at the age of 17. In later years he practiced medicine in Chicago but all the while continued to advocate for Native American rights.