Customer Reviews

Blessing's Bead (Melanie Kroupa Books)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Nutaaq stands on the northwestern shore of Alaska, watching her sister sail away to a new life in Siberia with her husband. The pain of separation, the importance of family, and the power of a name are all mirrored 70 years later in Nutaaq's great-granddaughter Blessing, whose Eskimo name is also Nutaaq. Author Debby Dahl Edwardson weaves two powerful, parallel stories that vividly portray life in the North Slope village of Barrow, Alaska, America's northernmost settlement. Drawing on the historical events that have shaped the Inupiaq, the real people, Edwardson deftly fills the void in contemporary, realistic fiction about the Native people of Alaska. This story is one of hope, faithfulness, and love. Life in the village is a special, unique, precious thing, and reading Blessing's Bead made me feel immensely, fiercely proud of these people and the hardships they have faced, rising again and again to protect the things that are most sacred to them: family, culture, and a life well lived on the land.

Blessing's Bead is the best kind of story, both universal and specific. The themes of self-identity, finding home, and recognizing family occur in all times and places. But this story is set in a very special and little-known part of the world, Arctic Alaska. As someone who has lived in Alaska for 30 years and visited in the Arctic, I can attest that the details of the novel are genuine and authentic.

Best of all, the storytelling is compelling. Blessing's voice is strong throughout, as she grapples with making sense of the two different worlds she inhabits. We also learn some interesting and little-known history through the story of Blessing's ancestor and namesake, Nutaaq. It is this connection between past and present that stands out for me. It reminds me how important it is to be aware of where we came from and how we got here, both as individuals and as societies.

A story that gives you a glimpse into the life of a young Inupiaq girl, both ancient and modern. Beautifully written and a captivating read, I couldn't put it down, I was only disappointed that the story ended after reading for only two days straight. I can't wait to read the next book!
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"My name is not easy" It comes out this month!

I loved this story! It is a multi generational story of young girls living in the Arctic Circle. Each set of girls are living in different time periods, yet they each have strong family bonds. I feel this would be an excellent tool to use in the classroom for teachers that want to focus on the people group Inuit/Eskimo/Arctic Circle.
The vivid imagery of the area where they live is brought to life in my mind: the chill of the weather, the clothing they wear, the food that they eat, the landscape.

We are named for those who have passed on. Our names come with their
own kinship, their own memories.


Blessing's Bead opens on a trade fair on mainland Alaska in the time of
caribou-skin tents, native dances, and caribou-skin tents. It introduces Nutaaq,
a strong-willed young girl, many of whose characteristics carry through to her
namesake descendent seventy years afterward. At the dramatic denouement of
Nataaq senior's story, Blessing's Bead morphs into the tale of a Native Alaskan
girl and her quest for identity. Removed from an alcoholic mother, Nutaaq
(called Blessing in her Americanized home) and her brother are sent to live with
their grandmother in a community still strongly tied to its native heritage.
Caught between the life she has always known and a new life that feels more
natural than anything has before, Nataaq must learn about where she came from
before she can move forward.

Based on a true story, the Debby Dahl Edwardson brings to
life realistic characters and real events that influenced her
life in 1980s Alaska (around the fall of the Ice Curtain that separated Alaska
from Russia). The novella is laced with native Inupiaq words and authentic
indigenous names that are confusing at first, but come together as one
continues reading. The story is genuinely interesting, especially the beginning
chapters which flash back to a time before the Cold War and give the story
depth. Personally, I was disappointed when the story morphed into an
adolescent's search for acceptance; Blessing's Bead would be enjoyed by middle
school girls seeking an interesting twist on the timeless (if somewhat cliche)
themes of identity and the meaning of family.


Reviewed by a young adult student reviewer
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A lovely story for all ages. I enjoyed it and gave it to my grandchildren