Children Of The Longhouse (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition) [School & Library Binding]

Joseph Bruchac (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1998 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. Eleven-year-old Ohkwa'ri and his twin sister must make peace with a hostile gang of older boys in their Mohawk village during the late 1400s.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Told from the alternating points of view of Native American Ohkwa'ri and his twin sister Otsi:stia, this historic novel shows a Mohawk village during the best of times: after the Great League of Peace is formed and before European settlers rob the tribe of its land. The story revolves around 11-year-old Ohkwa'ri's conflicts with a pompous bully, but the plot is less essential than the painstakingly wrought details about the tribe's daily rituals, legends and annual celebrations. Bruchac, who states in an afterword that his book is "the result of a lifetime of learning from my Mohawk friends and neighbors," eloquently conveys how democracy, respect and justice are integral components of the Native Americans' religion and government. Besides learning the origins of modern-day lacrosse and certain kinds of tool-making, readers will come away from this novel with a broadened awareness of a nearly vanished culture. Ages 8-11.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6?Ohkwa'ri is hiding in a shaded area when he overhears the misguided Grabber's intentions to start a war with the neighboring Anen:taks tribe. Although the boy is barely 11 winters old, he realizes something must be done to stop his fellow tribesman's plans. Set in a longhouse village in upstate New York, Bruchac's story establishes a sense of place in the first chapter: Ohkwa'ri works to become a respected member of his tribe, while Grabber and his cohorts, Greasy Hair, Falls a Lot, and Eats Like a Bear, attempt to get even with him. Despite the predictability of the plot, young readers will enjoy the glimpses of Native American culture. The importance of respect and honor are clearly outlined through Ohkwa'ri's feelings toward his elders such as his grandmother and his uncle. On his own, the earnest young hero builds and sleeps in his own lodge, illustrating independence and self-sufficiency. Other aspects of Native life such as name giving, government, and family relations are outlined. The mixing of fact with fiction is consistent and believable. Jan Hudson's Sweetgrass (Scholastic, 1991) or Elizabeth George Speare's The Sign of the Beaver (Dell, 1993) are more absorbing, yet Bruchac's latest offering is a good choice for large collections.?Julie Shatterly, York County Public Library, Rock Hill, SC
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• School & Library Binding: 160 pages
• Publisher: Turtleback (August 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0613074696
• ISBN-13: 978-0613074698
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,769,732 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Joseph Bruchac is a highly acclaimed Abenaki children's book author, poet, novelist and storyteller, as well as a scholar of Native American culture. Coauthor with Michael Caduto of the bestselling Keepers of the Earth series, Bruchac's poems, articles and stories have appeared in over 500 publications, from Akwesasne Notes and American Poetry Review to National Geographic and Parabola. He has authored more than 50 books for adults and children. For more information about Joseph, please visit his website www.josephbruchac.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An awesome book, July 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Children of the Longhouse (Puffin Novel) (Paperback)

Children of the Longhouse is a thrilling book about a Native American boy named Ohkwa're and his twin sister Otsi:stia. Ohkwa'ri overhears some boys planning to start a battle with the Anen:taks, a neighboring tribe. He told on them and saved his village from a war. Wanting revenge, the boys bully him and soon put his life in danger. You should read this book because it's exciting and I couldn't put it down when I started reading it. Also, I learned about the daily lives of the Mohawks. It was interesting how they played sports, how they used plants to make medicine and how they celebrated holidays. The end was suspenseful and I would recommend this book for kids to read.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Children of the longhouse is a great book, November 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Children of the Longhouse (Hardcover)

The book Children of the longhouse is a great historical fiction book by joseph Bruchac. Even though i'm only eleven years old it is a greatbook for all children, even adults. My mom read the book with me and thought it was a great book too! Well the Children of the Longhouse is about a boy and girl twins, like me. Other Native Americans and the boy love Tekwaarathon (Day-ghaah-la-lot), also known as lacrosse.I gave Children of the longhouse four stars because it was not the best book of all but it was the best book I ever read!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Children of the Longhouse is a great historical fic book., November 12, 1999

By 

Mimi Driscoll (Winston-Salem, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Children of the Longhouse (Hardcover)

The Children of the Longhouse is a great historical fiction book by Joseph Bruchac. The Children of the Long house is about twins. The main two characters are the to twins they are boy girl twins. The boy loves love Tekwaarathon also known as lacrose. Even thuogh I;m only ten years old, my mom and I read children of the Longhouse together. my mom and I loved the book so I gave it 5 stars.