Reviews with content warning for Child death - The Birchbark House

Reviews tagging 'Child death'

The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich

27 reviews

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.

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lidiaaa222's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring 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

4.75

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0suicidal0's review against another edition

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lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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danimcthomas's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful informative medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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greenlivingaudioworm's review against another edition

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emotional informative lighthearted slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

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lydia_smith's review against another edition

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adventurous 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? No

4.0

A sweet story in the same vein as the Little House on the Prarie books. Follow Okamayas and her family through the bounty of summer, the fall harvest, the lean months of winter, and the hope of spring. Lots of exploration of indigenous beliefs in spirits and animal spirit guidance. A good window into what life was like for many indigenous people.

the saddest part is when the family contracts small pox in the dead of winter. An unfortunate reality for many indigenous people, this story does not say away from the fear and pain small pox presents.

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