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hey_al's review against another edition
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
lidiaaa222's review against another edition
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
0suicidal0's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death and Child death
danimcthomas's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Colonisation, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Though this is a YA book, it does not shy away from the realities of early America’s colonization and its decimation of native peoples.greenlivingaudioworm's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
lydia_smith's review against another edition
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
beautifulminutiae's review against another edition
informative
sad
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
katiefronk's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Death
Minor: Animal death
kristin_h_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death and Child death