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maryhannawilson's review against another edition
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
{3.5 Stars, though 5 stars for its value in education}
The Birchbark House introduces children to the 19th-century life of the Ojibwa tribe through the eyes of one tribe member, 7-year-old Omakayas. Readers will spend a year with the tribe and witness tribe life each season. We follow Omakayas during her daily chores, encounters with wildlife, and the tragedy as smallpox hits the village in the winter.
This book is an excellent choice to include in your history study, especially as a companion to Little House on the Prairie. There is plenty of educational value as readers learn about the life of Native Americans at this time.
The plot is slow-moving because we simply watch Omakayas' life throughout the year. She has bear encounters, adopts a crow who becomes a friend, and learns to step into her role as a healer in the family. For many students, the rising action didn't feel like it was rising much at all.
NOTE: Parents should be aware that smallpox kills two characters in the book - including Omakayas' baby brother. There is also a dog brutally killed by its owner. *One of the discussions we had in book club was about reasons these tragic and sad events might be included in a children's book.
The Birchbark House introduces children to the 19th-century life of the Ojibwa tribe through the eyes of one tribe member, 7-year-old Omakayas. Readers will spend a year with the tribe and witness tribe life each season. We follow Omakayas during her daily chores, encounters with wildlife, and the tragedy as smallpox hits the village in the winter.
This book is an excellent choice to include in your history study, especially as a companion to Little House on the Prairie. There is plenty of educational value as readers learn about the life of Native Americans at this time.
The plot is slow-moving because we simply watch Omakayas' life throughout the year. She has bear encounters, adopts a crow who becomes a friend, and learns to step into her role as a healer in the family. For many students, the rising action didn't feel like it was rising much at all.
NOTE: Parents should be aware that smallpox kills two characters in the book - including Omakayas' baby brother. There is also a dog brutally killed by its owner. *One of the discussions we had in book club was about reasons these tragic and sad events might be included in a children's book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
the_escape_artist_'s review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. I think it is a nice representation of the life of indigenous people through the eyes of a young girl
heidipolkissa82's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
katiegilley's review against another edition
4.0
As soon as I finished The Little House series, I began listening to The Birchbark House. I’d been wanting to read it for a long time and was thrilled when this was the Audible Deal of the Day a few months ago. The Birchbark House is a children’s series set in the same time period as the Little House books, but it centers on a Native American family — also in Minnesota, which is where The Little House in the Big Woods was set.
I really enjoyed getting to know this family, who had me laughing and crying. I was hoping to read this with my kiddos soon, but there is one particularly gut-wrenching storyline that makes me think I’ll need to wait a couple of years before I introduce it to them. But on the whole — I really appreciate the balance in perspective this book gave me in relation to the Little House series. And I can’t wait to listen to more of Omakayas’ story!
I really enjoyed getting to know this family, who had me laughing and crying. I was hoping to read this with my kiddos soon, but there is one particularly gut-wrenching storyline that makes me think I’ll need to wait a couple of years before I introduce it to them. But on the whole — I really appreciate the balance in perspective this book gave me in relation to the Little House series. And I can’t wait to listen to more of Omakayas’ story!
allicatca's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed the story. I learned about Native Americans and I got attached to the characters BUT I did not enjoy the writing style. The end of the book was truly lovely.
deniseann's review against another edition
3.0
I read this book to my granddaughter. It was a pretty good book.
appaloosa05's review against another edition
This book sat on my TBR list for far too long, I'm glad I finally made time for it. Chronicling a year in the life of a young Ojibwe girl, this book is sad at times, and full of joy at others. I appreciate that Erdrich didn't shy away from the harsh realities of life in the 1800s. I think children appreciate that honesty. If I had read this book at the age of 9 or 10, I probably would have cried at the sad parts, but I think I also would have loved Omakayas' character and voice. I know I would have loved learning more about the Ojibwe way of life.
jfrie65's review against another edition
5.0
Thank goodness 2020 was the year we began longer read-alouds in our family, this book was perfect in every way and we have been talking about it all summer. I definitely cried multiple times out of sadness and joy.
annalieegk's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
staciek3's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
I got this for my Little Free Library, but had to read it first, because I love most everything that Louise Erdrich writes. I enjoyed all of the characters and the story was beautifully told. It's like Louise weaves a story as if it's a tapestry.