"[In this] story of a young Ojibwa girl, Omakayas, living on an island in Lake Superior around 1847, Louise Erdrich is reversing the narrative perspective used in most children's stories about nineteenth-century Native Americans. Instead of looking out at 'them' as dangers or curiosities, Erdrich, drawing on her family's history, wants to tell about 'us', from the inside. The Birchbark House establishes its own ground, in the vicinity of Laura Ingalls Wilder's 'Little House' books." --The New York Times Book Review
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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
Nineteenth-century American pioneer life was introduced to thousands of young readers by Laura Ingalls Wilder's beloved Little House books. With The Birchbark House, award-winning author Louise Erdrich's first novel for young readers, this same slice of history is seen through the eyes of the spirited, 7-year-old Ojibwa girl Omakayas, or Little Frog, so named because her first step was a hop. The sole survivor of a smallpox epidemic on Spirit Island, Omakayas, then only a baby girl, was rescued by a fearless woman named Tallow and welcomed into an Ojibwa family on Lake Superior's Madeline Island, the Island of the Golden-Breasted Woodpecker. We follow Omakayas and her adopted family through a cycle of four seasons in 1847, including the winter, when a historically documented outbreak of smallpox overtook the island.
Readers will be riveted by the daily life of this Native American family, in which tanning moose hides, picking berries, and scaring crows from the cornfield are as commonplace as encounters with bear cubs and fireside ghost stories. Erdrich--a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwa--spoke to Ojibwa elders about the spirit and significance of Madeline Island, read letters from travelers, and even spent time with her own children on the island, observing their reactions to woods, stones, crayfish, bear, and deer. The author's softly hewn pencil drawings infuse life and authenticity to her poetic, exquisitely wrought narrative. Omakayas is an intense, strong, likable character to whom young readers will fully relate--from her mixed emotions about her siblings, to her discovery of her unique talents, to her devotion to her pet crow Andeg, to her budding understanding of death, life, and her role in the natural world. We look forward to reading more about this brave, intuitive girl--and wholeheartedly welcome Erdrich's future series to the canon of children's classics. (Ages 9 and older) --Karin Snelson --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Publishers Weekly
The author's first novel for children centers on young Omakayas and her Ojibwa family who live on an island in Lake Superior in 1847; PW's Best Books citation called it "captivating." Ages 9-up. (Aug.)
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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More About the Author
Louise Erdrich is the author of twelve novels as well as volumes of poetry, children's books, and a memoir of early motherhood. Her debut novel, Love Medicine, won the National Book Critics Circle Award. The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse was a finalist for the National Book Award. Her most recent novel, The Plague of Doves, a New York Times bestseller, received the highest praise from Philip Roth, who wrote, "Louise Erdrich's imaginative freedom has reached its zenith--The Plague of Doves is her dazzling masterpiece." Louise Erdrich lives in Minnesota with her daughters and is the owner of Birchbark Books, a small independent bookstore.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
66 of 68 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
Any child who has read and loved such classics as the <Little House> series, or <Indian Captive> will welcome the gift of this book. My 8-year old daughter declared it to be the best book she's ever read, and urged me to read it. I did, and I concur. It's a wonderful read, and one that I plan to buy as a gift for years to come. The heroine of this book is such a delight. The hundred-plus years that separate her from the modern reader melt away. Erdrich has done a powerful job of maintaining the historical accuracy of this book while making her characters relevant to modern readers. Really well done.
39 of 40 people found the following review helpful
By Elly
Format:Hardcover
The Birchbark House is a very good topic book for people learning about Native Americans. Though it is historical fiction, it shows a daily Native American life very well using the example of a little girl called Omakyas and her siblings. Louise Erdrich is very descriptive in her writing, and I recommend it to readers of any age.
55 of 59 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
A beautiful book. Parallel in many ways to Wilder's series, this tells the other side in a moving way. We follow a year in the life of an 8-year-old Ojibway girl, including a tragic smallpox epidemic, a meeting with a bear family, and finding out her true heritage.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved this book!
I am 60+ years old and totally enjoyed reading this book. I had my grandchildren in mind as I have 2 American Indian foster grandchildren and thought it would be good for them to... Read more
Published 1 month ago by M. Rhodes
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Birchbark House
Wonderful, realistic, accessible story for students 4th and 5th grade. This book is the first in a series of 4 books.
Published 4 months ago by Barbara Novelli
5.0 out of 5 stars
The first in a wonderful series
I highly recommend this series. I agree with another poster who compared it to the Little House series. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Intelligent Parent
5.0 out of 5 stars
sad
brichbark house is a very sad book .i almost cried when i read that baby newoo died.of course ,the book is not all about sad stuff .
Published 7 months ago by Gang Niu
5.0 out of 5 stars
good
I helped to build a birchbark house, at one point. They are very efficient at use of materials, distribute heat well, and the only real problem is that they are flammable and have... Read more
Published 9 months ago by David
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautifully written!
This series is a breath of fresh air. Rich in detail, you cannot help but feel transported back in time to the Westward Expansion of the United States through the eyes of a young... Read more
Published 11 months ago by RDS Librarians
4.0 out of 5 stars
What a lovely way to introduce young readers to some Native American...
This book was on the summer reading list for my daughter who's entering seventh grade. I try to read her assignment books, because she can be a reluctant reader of books the school... Read more
Published 21 months ago by CdocReader
5.0 out of 5 stars
Highly Recommend
I ordered this to read to my six year old daughter. After having read a couple dozen pioneer-themed books together, I got the impression that no matter how much I tried to explain... Read more
Published on April 22, 2011 by Susan
2.0 out of 5 stars
got kind of sleepy
I know all the fans are going to say this is a bad review.while the characters are good there wasn't any main action/event so i was bored. Read more
Published on March 29, 2011 by cameron northcutt
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Birchbark House
The Birchbark House follows Omakayas (Little Frog), a member of the Ojibwa Native American tribe, through four seasons during 1847. Read more
Published on March 1, 2011 by Mary E. Young
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