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lizbusby's review
3.0
I felt like this book was just fine. As a anthropology of the Mohawk people for kids, it's fabulous. But as a book, it lacks a strong plot and characters. Thankfully, nice and short.
carolyn227's review
4.0
Another book read for school with my son. It was a little slow in parts, but the end was exciting, and I learned a lot about Native American cultures that I didn't know before, and I learned a lot about the history of the game Tekwaarathon (lacrosse) as well.
elsanore's review
4.0
Bruchac's coming of age novel is a fascinating glimpse into Iroquois culture. I read this aloud to my 8 year old, and we both enjoyed reading about events leading up to and culminating in the main character Ohkwa'ri's participation in a large lacrosse game.
anliena's review
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
stacikristine's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I've been previewing books with indigenous characters for our early US history. My kids (10, 7, 5) tend to be more sensitive, so a lot of the books have been too intense. This is a great introductory book for us!
jennybeastie's review
3.0
A fascinating setting -- Mohawk village in 1491, and a Native voice telling the stories -- it's a great book for anyone interested in imaging the past. Laced with stories, featuring a traditional healing Lacrosse game, and full of interesting day-to-day life.
farkle's review
4.0
A relatively formulaic coming of age story but Bruchac's extensive research and attention to detail reveal a rare glimpse of pre-contact America.
bookworm_baggins's review
4.0
This was a wonderful book! I am really perplexed that it has so many negative reviews.
The book is short at just 140 pages, but the characters are well developed. I love that the main characters are 11 year old boy/girl twins, which really makes this a book in which any child can see themselves. The first half of the book is focused on every day life in a Mohawk longhouse in the late 1400s. Sometimes the information comes in a bit of a forced ways, though someone's memory, but everything is so lovingly and beautifully told that it didn't bother me.
I loved learning about so many aspects of Native culture - their stories and traditions, their religious beliefs, how they see themselves as part of community with each other and the earth, their government, respect for people and property, and the good of the group. Though how the characters act the reader gets a look at what it means to be purposeful, to be slow to speak and quick to listen, to respect others, to take responsibility, and to be part of something bigger.
The pronunciation was a struggle, but I tabbed the guide in the back of the book and referenced it frequently. I am looking forward to teaching this book for school this year.
The book is short at just 140 pages, but the characters are well developed. I love that the main characters are 11 year old boy/girl twins, which really makes this a book in which any child can see themselves. The first half of the book is focused on every day life in a Mohawk longhouse in the late 1400s. Sometimes the information comes in a bit of a forced ways, though someone's memory, but everything is so lovingly and beautifully told that it didn't bother me.
I loved learning about so many aspects of Native culture - their stories and traditions, their religious beliefs, how they see themselves as part of community with each other and the earth, their government, respect for people and property, and the good of the group. Though how the characters act the reader gets a look at what it means to be purposeful, to be slow to speak and quick to listen, to respect others, to take responsibility, and to be part of something bigger.
The pronunciation was a struggle, but I tabbed the guide in the back of the book and referenced it frequently. I am looking forward to teaching this book for school this year.
michelled13's review
5.0
I read this to my 5th and 7th grades for part of our homeschool curriculum. We started by listening to the audio, but struggled to follow the storyline. So, we started over with me reading aloud, and we all fell in love with this story!
beautifulminutiae's review
3.0
It lags a bit in a few places, but this is a well done book for children who want to learn more about the day to day lives of native Americans. I wouldn’t say it has all that much of a plot, but it was still an entertaining & educational read.