In 1910, two Dakota girls get sick and run away from boarding school to find the buffalo messenger--a red cricket medallion that points toward miracles and healing. Running away causes a chain of events that culminate in a deadly encounter between the tribe and local whites. To 15-year old Biscuit, the buffalo messenger represents hope. Along with Clemmie, she runs away from school to escape being sent to a TB sanatorium. Their escape, and the return of a "medicine man" lead to reports of cattle rustling, disappearances, a kidnapping, and murder. These events mislead the new Indian agent into believing the symbol represents a return to the old ways and another deadly uprising like the Ghost Dance. Depicting the high cost of defeat and cultural assimilation, The Buffalo Messenger picks up the story of the Native American where the history books end. The book was inspired by the author's family history and actual events.