Rusty, Son of Tall Elk

[0:42]" That's correct and they also list don't quite stand perceive partnership. I think another four I've found title for a for election next humorous shark stories about the military. There's several rules were published articles. In military magazines. -- that was my first book."

[1:05]" When were you India and service by the way so."

[1:08]" A lucky what I was in between Korea and Vietnam news and -- you're an apt engineer battalion National Guard and then four years active duty in the Air Force."

[1:34]" Right and well in the history of our west many times right. Young and we're. Adopting kidnapped and adopted in the Indian culture. Several successfully and that was kind of the basis of this story I intended to write for young adults that market and I've actually done four books on that. Rusty series completing work one now the the premises this -- natural redheaded freckle faced farm boy in 1858. Arizona always daydream of the hero in cowboys and Indians equitable is read -- credit great deal that it gets captured by -- in India. Dislikes springer because red -- since back in Montana they have and a -- have Irish China and girl about his image. Also with bright red hair. And it would be strong medicine ample boy and girl. The -- against a Montana. To the -- China's northern Cheyenne and prizes and sisters inch color but you're older and has been little special person tribe until he shows up in any wit and knowledge to adapters -- culture."

[2:42]" And any does this does assimilate and there's something called. A vision quest which are -- little blah."

[2:48]" At -- twelve and that's at the end of the first book it's traditional for an Indian born aged twelve to -- afford a fast and have a vision. Quest to try and find is supported spirits and such and that trip aboard ours. And then and there's little humor type in the that true but at what the -- and in a second worker series. -- ticket from aged twelve to sixteen coming -- pages Indian culture. And then a third bark at age sixteen tries to visit White family and corrupt civil war."

[3:22]" what Charles -- he is an author as mentioned reading about. This in treating part of American history now you said that -- this happened to. More than once that young kids were kidnapped or taken off of their their family estates -- panel home."

[3:37]" Right and my -- they northern plains Indians found humor and storytelling very big in their culture. And packet type that we would be surprised yet. For example one of the war cheats out there was a man -- and straight of this source. Can you imagine we would have liked general gunshot -- You know the books are filled with humor and historically correct but their section. -- that your light reading. And what I'm finding his grandparents -- by and it if they feel comfortable get -- credential is not a scene."

[4:19]" And it has some great -- one of those things that you want to make a point about is that during that period of time. The Irish and German Irish as you read about the in this fictional work. Word in a sense in the same boat as many of the American Indians they were ostracized and."

[4:35]" Both of their cultures were attacked by another race and the try to eliminate their language eliminate it customs. And detailed. But partially at least but -- Irish connection with America is great and on a recent tire iron and found an interesting one. The chalk talk Indians one of the five supplied -- with the Cherokee. There were on a reservation and oklahomans starving and based in 1849 senate delegation of preaching extra Washington. -- cattle that they had been promised recruit. And at that time a Church group from England. Had got colon have a ship USS -- from the navy to take emergency food to the starving people in Ireland and the chalk -- Iowa Indians. Donated uninterrupted -- for the food certain some supplies -- to Irish. And have been documented."

[5:28]" What an incredible link that is man that's a and then here you have the story that you. You woven that continues to weed through several books about this young man who becomes part of the Indian culture and -- am just wondering if were there. Men who became men as as Indians as American Indians who were plucked from there. Out of their homes and did did they leave the rest of their lives as American Indians."

[5:52]" Yes some of -- and problems there were labeled a renegade. But the White races but -- yeah kind of look back upon that is my wife and I you know. Adopted three children and the the first two were Korean Americans from Korea. Through an adoptive agency called welcome house that was set up by the writer pearl box which found the plight of those extra children. Over their and that culture very bad and so we adopted -- ago Korea. And then we adopted a Cree Indian baby from Canada in 1971."

[6:29]" Would you be kind enough to tell us aware they all are today."

[6:32]" Shareholder Cree Indian Julie is in -- they'll Pennsylvania orchestra Smith Barney. And night my oldest daughter Sudan it is in Seattle and works for Starbucks. In computers and my son John is in Columbus Ohio managing computers and a lot of Children's Hospital."

[6:52]" It's one -- must be very proud of these great kids."

[6:55]" They'll canal with a good work ethic that they the -- got rusty shuttle talks is all over the Internet. Personnel and all book I just secure actual book signing at Walden books."

[7:07]" You know there isn't a movement afoot to bring literature for young people. Back in to vote I mean people are are assuming that kids don't read anymore because they're at their computer councils but they really do in. There's a thirst out their for a literature for young people isn't there."

[7:23]" Yes there is outlook the Harry Potter series that a wonderful thing of getting a lot of young readers -- My target audience very -- originally was young adult like around seventh grade but what I tried as adults like the book so many that -- and senior community so many grandparents that uses secure for their grandchildren particular comfortable giving it. And that they're reading it and after they -- is an -- going to be out."

[7:52]" Well that's what's fun about these you've followed characters whether it be Harry Potter or rusty in his case rusty some of -- well you felt follies carries you kind of fall in love them and you don't want to. You don't wanna. Go without knowing what's happening in their lives and it is sometimes it's a little harrowing but it's always great to see what happens to them."

[8:09]" And of course in its its front right I was always a storyteller. And never had a record of working three jobs at one time from my -- and never had the time to write and then finally and got these 65 we retired to Florida and accounts for books and transcendent and published."

[9:05]" Right well you know and that soldiers have always dependent on humor as a shield for their stress and life. And they're kind of like everybody's a soldier. And that would doom and gloom or were pounded with every -- that is right have a diversion and you know what I can't. We played -- cowboys and Indians and we've -- round fighting Germans and Japanese I would never fought Italian community many Italians and and they were their Brothers has probably written remarks but. We never paid dragons -- dungeons -- users those sorts you know nevertheless and so when my point is that. The reality series are based on. Feasible events. You know this section based on all things that are feasible Arnold dragons and."

[9:56]" But there is American Indian culture that that weaves its way through that period and today I want to thank you so much Charles and wish you the best -- nice man in. I know that people are looking for great gifts again for their kids going away to camp and elsewhere and this is a wonderful way to do that."

[10:11]" And a are trying to land a -- a first edition books signed by an author makes a great one or kind. Gift and they can get that type book but go into my web site where you they can reach me."