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amandaquotidianbooks's review
hopeful
reflective
slow-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? Yes
4.5
Such a joy to read! I loved the celebrations of the seasons and how the subplots come full circle. The characters felt real and unique. I loved all the stories and legends that are referenced and told. I look forward to hearing more about Omakayas in the rest of the series!
Content Warnings
Minor: Terminal illness and Death
linesiunderline's review
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-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? Yes
4.0
This is a wonderful, immersive story about the life of an Ojibwe family living on an island in Lake Superior in the mid 1800s.
I enjoyed many things about this series opener, but a few aspects really stand out. First, Erdrich does a beautiful job of conveying the many seasonal practices and daily rituals of this family, in this time and place. You really do feel like you are sneaking a glimpse into aspects of their culture that might be unfamiliar at the same time as Omakayas comes across as a little girl with many highly relatable qualities and experiences.
I found the section when the family contracted smallpox to be especially powerful. It was unflinching and impactful, but still appropriate for a young audience.
Having finally read this title (and I plan to keep reading the series) I can’t imagine putting Little House on the Prairie into the hands of young readers without this book alongside.
I enjoyed many things about this series opener, but a few aspects really stand out. First, Erdrich does a beautiful job of conveying the many seasonal practices and daily rituals of this family, in this time and place. You really do feel like you are sneaking a glimpse into aspects of their culture that might be unfamiliar at the same time as Omakayas comes across as a little girl with many highly relatable qualities and experiences.
I found the section when the family contracted smallpox to be especially powerful. It was unflinching and impactful, but still appropriate for a young audience.
Having finally read this title (and I plan to keep reading the series) I can’t imagine putting Little House on the Prairie into the hands of young readers without this book alongside.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Grief, and Animal death
lollibows's review
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This truly is a very different perspective from the same era as the little house book and I am grateful it exists and can be read to my children so they understand how different the same period of time was for different groups of people.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Death
library_kb's review
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
If teachers are looking for a replacement for Laura Ingalls Wilder, this should definitely be considered. As I listened to the book, I was struck by the similarities in many of the interactions--relationships with father, stories about interactions with bears, dealing with feelings about siblings, preparing for winter, and more. Yet, this book improves upon what can be found in Little House in the Big Wood for example because it also deals with grief and change, and may provide a perspective on life in the 1800s that many are unfamiliar with as the main character and her family are Ojibwa. In addition, this book could be a really good way to explore grief with younger readers, as it plays a large role in the later part of the book.
I think this would work really well for 3rd-5th graders, especially if they have some support in processing some of the big ideas present in it.
I think this would work really well for 3rd-5th graders, especially if they have some support in processing some of the big ideas present in it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death
a_reflective_reader's review
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Enjoyed the writing, characters, and understanding what a year looked like for the Ojibwa.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Animal death
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