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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
Plain old NaCl - Salt - something we take for granted, but so necessary for life. The year is 1812. Anikwa and James are friends - Anikwa lives with his family as part of the Miami tribe, and James is part of an American trading post near Fort Wayne. They are friends who teach each other their languages and skill sets. Storms are brewing between the British and Americans, and Anikwa's family and friends struggle to figure out which side to join. Soon, Anikwa and James find that their families land on opposite sides, and then very basic needs such as salt are kept from each other. Can the two boys remain friends? This is a fast paced historical fiction story told in verse - fun - each boy has a different shaped verse, so you can "see" exactly whose point of view you are reading.
I read this, but didn't notice some of the things that Debbie Reese brings up here http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/2013/10/initial-thoughts-about-helen-frosts.html
Glad she shares her perspective.
Glad she shares her perspective.
Set during the beginning of the War of 1812 when the Americans and British were fighting over land and the Native Americans got in the way. It is 1812 and the story takes place in Fort Wayne, Indiana and the Miami village of Kekionga. Anikwa is a young Miami boy living with his family in Kekionga. James is an American boy living with his family at the trading post in Fort Wayne. Even though they don't speak the same language they are still friends. Their families trade together and are friends as well. Not everyone thinks the same way however. Many of the Native Americans are siding with the British in the war because they believe the British will not take their land. Many of the Americans are afraid of the Native Americans and do want their land.
When war comes the boys try to remain friends but it is difficult when faced with such oppositions. The Miami leave Kekionga and James's family moves into the fort. Both of their homes are burned during the conflict, but they each have moments where they protect the other. It is a touching story about friendship faced with difficult times and opposition from peers.
Even though this book is set in 1812 it still seems very relevant today. There are lots of misconceptions and fears about both the Native Americans and the Americans that modern readers can relate to in this time. James and Anikwa's families are the ones who treat each other with respect and try to understand the other cultures. Many of the other characters have no understanding for the side and they let fear rule their decision-making. Of course it does not turn out well in the end and that is a lesson we should take to heart.
When war comes the boys try to remain friends but it is difficult when faced with such oppositions. The Miami leave Kekionga and James's family moves into the fort. Both of their homes are burned during the conflict, but they each have moments where they protect the other. It is a touching story about friendship faced with difficult times and opposition from peers.
Even though this book is set in 1812 it still seems very relevant today. There are lots of misconceptions and fears about both the Native Americans and the Americans that modern readers can relate to in this time. James and Anikwa's families are the ones who treat each other with respect and try to understand the other cultures. Many of the other characters have no understanding for the side and they let fear rule their decision-making. Of course it does not turn out well in the end and that is a lesson we should take to heart.
Well-researched. I kept thinking about BOXERS & SAINTS as I read; what a rich discussion these two pieces would inspire.
A novel in verse form. What a wonderful book. And contains so much insight into how the people lived then.
A great introduction to historical fiction for my third grader. This was a class assigned book and I read it so we could discuss. I love historical fiction and hope he will get the bug as well. This story was quite sad without being too heavy for a young reader.
How did "innocent bystanders" fare during the War of 1812? This is a snapshot of one place and time, showing characters that we can empathize with.
Interesting novel in verse about the friendship between a Native American boy and an American boy set at the time of the War of 1812. I like the two voices and the two different shapes of the verses (and Frost's explanation of what they are). The testing of the friendship and of the relationship between the settlers and the tribes is evoked well. I read the ARC and my concern is that there is no historical note - not sure if this will be the case with the final book. Though there ia a note at the beginning that sets up the situation I feel the book really needs one to describe what actually happened and the aftermath.
A must read (or listen!) for fans of middle grade historical fiction! Set in 1812 at the onset of the war, twelve year old white settler, James, and twelve year old Miami Indian, Anikwa, discover what it is that separates them and what it is that binds them. Can they remain friends as war looms closer to Fort Wayne, Indiana?Their days were spent trapping, fishing, playing, and exploring, but now they must grow up and be men. They need to decide whose side they're on: the British, the Americans, The Indians, or their own.
Told through the alternating perspectives of both James and Anikwa, this story brings to life their friendship and the cultures that surrounded them. As the tagline suggested, this truly is "A story of friendship in the time of war." Boys especially, will like the hunting and wilderness aspects, but there is enough historical intrigue and friendship to interest female readers as well.
The audiobook edition to which I listened to, also added an entire new dimension to the story. The narrators were brilliant and really helped narrarted the concerns and emotions of the two twelve year old friends.
I received this book for free from Librarything Early Reviewers in return for my honest and unbiased opinion.
Told through the alternating perspectives of both James and Anikwa, this story brings to life their friendship and the cultures that surrounded them. As the tagline suggested, this truly is "A story of friendship in the time of war." Boys especially, will like the hunting and wilderness aspects, but there is enough historical intrigue and friendship to interest female readers as well.
The audiobook edition to which I listened to, also added an entire new dimension to the story. The narrators were brilliant and really helped narrarted the concerns and emotions of the two twelve year old friends.
I received this book for free from Librarything Early Reviewers in return for my honest and unbiased opinion.