compass_rose's review
3.0
Didn't like this quite as much at the first, but 6yo and I enjoyed it. She really got attached to the characters. We are definitely hoping there's a third (fourth, fifth) book. I love the settings and the characters. We've both learned a lot about the particular time and place.
I had to do a little editing, as it's not meant for 6yos. If you want more specifics, ask me.
I had to do a little editing, as it's not meant for 6yos. If you want more specifics, ask me.
yapha's review
3.0
In this sequel to Bo at Ballard Creek, Bo, Graf, and their two Papas have left Ballard Creek since the gold dried up. They are on their way to a dredge mine at Iditarod Creek. Once there, Bo and Graf find that there are only a few other children it town. Nonetheless, they manage to have grand adventures.
My main problem is wondering who this book is written for, with a kindergarten age main character, but issues such as the use of a the N-word as well as child abuse. I understand that it is true to life at the time, but it will require much discussion between children and adults. Not as strong as the original, which must be read first.
My main problem is wondering who this book is written for, with a kindergarten age main character, but issues such as the use of a the N-word as well as child abuse. I understand that it is true to life at the time, but it will require much discussion between children and adults. Not as strong as the original, which must be read first.
quietjenn's review
4.0
I love these books about Bo and her non-traditional family and I think the first one - despite the Scott O'Dell award - is really underrated. I liked this one just as much, if not more and find the details of life in early twentieth century Alaska absolutely fascinating. For families who have shied away from the Little House books because of problematic issues, I think these are terrific alternatives. So much humor and heart.
runnersue73's review
4.0
Read this out loud to Everett. It's a nice, heartwarming story with good values - people are different, families are different, treat everyone with kindness and respect. Be warned that there is some use of the n-word. It felt wrong even to say it as I was reading the story. The author asserts that this is undoubtedly a word that a child would hear in that era and place, and the circumstances of the story (a child repeats the word he has heard, lightly, obviously not knowing the baggage behind it; the adults, hearing it, don't fully explain it but it is clear from their reactions that it is unacceptable) allow for some discussion about it.
jennybeastie's review against another edition
5.0
Loving the continuing adventures of Bo and her family. One more thing that I really enjoy about these books is the way children are treasured by the community. They aren't taken for granted by the majority of the adults that surround them -- another thing that I think must be unique to places and times where children are scarce.
The one thing I find controversial is the use of racial slurs -- I appreciate that the author addresses them directly in this book, and applies them widely to a variety of characters -- which may sound like a weird thing to say, but it's an aspect of our history that is true to the time, and an opportunity to confront hurtful language with child readers today. I think we get more of talking about it than pretending it never happened, and in 1930's Alaska, you can be sure that racially/culturally charged language was present. I also appreciated the author's note on the term Eskimo.
I also find the world of mining to be relatively horrifying, but I'm glad to learn more about it, and to hear the range of viewpoints that Hill presents. There's a lot to learn here, and the presentation is excellent.
The one thing I find controversial is the use of racial slurs -- I appreciate that the author addresses them directly in this book, and applies them widely to a variety of characters -- which may sound like a weird thing to say, but it's an aspect of our history that is true to the time, and an opportunity to confront hurtful language with child readers today. I think we get more of talking about it than pretending it never happened, and in 1930's Alaska, you can be sure that racially/culturally charged language was present. I also appreciated the author's note on the term Eskimo.
I also find the world of mining to be relatively horrifying, but I'm glad to learn more about it, and to hear the range of viewpoints that Hill presents. There's a lot to learn here, and the presentation is excellent.
voya_k's review against another edition
5.0
If you had asked me 10 years ago if there would ever be a kids' book about two gold-mining bears who adopt a bunch of kids that is also extremely cool about native Alaskans, people who can't read and why you shouldn't say the n-word (but you might hear it around), I would have been like I DOUBT IT. But, here it is!
kienie's review against another edition
4.0
Bo has two father's and two brothers. And a last name that's a combination of her dads' names. Here we encounter child abuse, death, moving to new places, and people with disabilities. Organized religion, racism, the great depression and classism are encountered, but not dwelled upon. Mostly it's a story of love, acceptance, generosity, and hard work.
pussreboots's review against another edition
4.0
More anecdotal than plot oriented but still delightful.
http://pussreboots.com/blog/2018/comments_04/bo_at_iditarod_creek.html
http://pussreboots.com/blog/2018/comments_04/bo_at_iditarod_creek.html
mrskatiefitz's review against another edition
4.0
This review also appears on my blog, Read-at-Home Mom.
Bo is back! In her second adventure, she and newly adopted younger brother Graf set off with their papas (gold prospecting partners) for their new home at Iditarod Creek. Unlike Ballard Creek, this new town is heavily populated, but has few children. Houses are moved from place to place as necessary to facilitate access to gold, and there are loud dredge machines that make frightening noises. Though Bo misses her old friends, she makes the best of her new experience by getting to know all the interesting people around her, including a mysteriously sad boy who might be in trouble.
This book is fascinating. It includes information about gold prospecting, Eskimo culture, relations between people from different racial and cultural backgrounds, and the nature of adoption in this specific time and place. There is lots of discussion about language - off-color words to describe others, differences in language even among people from the same culture, even what to call a couch (or divan, or sofa). Interesting details reveal what it was like to get an education at home, and how adults could grow up without ever learning how to read and write, only to be taught later by their own children. Words seems to be the main focus of the story, and the message about their power comes through loud and strong.
Unfortunately, some of the language itself makes it hard to know who will - or should - read this book. Certainly the first story about Bo would make a fine read-aloud for even a preschooler, but this second book uses racial slurs in confusing contexts (sometimes as insults, sometimes as nicknames) and it throws around the "b word" in a playful way without ever really explaining what it means or why it might not be okay for Bo - or other kids her age -to say it. I fully believe that these details are accurate for the time period and the nearly childless male dominated environment Bo and Graf are living in, but I would still hesitate to read these words out loud to my child. If I were looking for a way to have a specific conversation about sensitive language, this book might help me do that, but if a mom picked up this book unwittingly based on her child's love for the first one, she might find herself faced with some uncomfortable discussions she was not prepared for.
Also possibly troubling to younger audiences would be the abuse of Renzo, the boy who Bo's family befriends and helps. There aren't many details, and they are mostly filtered through Bo's optimistic and innocent point of view, but the thought of a young boy nearly freezing to death in a piano box could be troubling for very little kids.
I liked this book very much, but I feel like my book talk of it for a parent would be more of a warning label than a promotion of the book, because it is so deceptively mature in content.
Bo is back! In her second adventure, she and newly adopted younger brother Graf set off with their papas (gold prospecting partners) for their new home at Iditarod Creek. Unlike Ballard Creek, this new town is heavily populated, but has few children. Houses are moved from place to place as necessary to facilitate access to gold, and there are loud dredge machines that make frightening noises. Though Bo misses her old friends, she makes the best of her new experience by getting to know all the interesting people around her, including a mysteriously sad boy who might be in trouble.
This book is fascinating. It includes information about gold prospecting, Eskimo culture, relations between people from different racial and cultural backgrounds, and the nature of adoption in this specific time and place. There is lots of discussion about language - off-color words to describe others, differences in language even among people from the same culture, even what to call a couch (or divan, or sofa). Interesting details reveal what it was like to get an education at home, and how adults could grow up without ever learning how to read and write, only to be taught later by their own children. Words seems to be the main focus of the story, and the message about their power comes through loud and strong.
Unfortunately, some of the language itself makes it hard to know who will - or should - read this book. Certainly the first story about Bo would make a fine read-aloud for even a preschooler, but this second book uses racial slurs in confusing contexts (sometimes as insults, sometimes as nicknames) and it throws around the "b word" in a playful way without ever really explaining what it means or why it might not be okay for Bo - or other kids her age -to say it. I fully believe that these details are accurate for the time period and the nearly childless male dominated environment Bo and Graf are living in, but I would still hesitate to read these words out loud to my child. If I were looking for a way to have a specific conversation about sensitive language, this book might help me do that, but if a mom picked up this book unwittingly based on her child's love for the first one, she might find herself faced with some uncomfortable discussions she was not prepared for.
Also possibly troubling to younger audiences would be the abuse of Renzo, the boy who Bo's family befriends and helps. There aren't many details, and they are mostly filtered through Bo's optimistic and innocent point of view, but the thought of a young boy nearly freezing to death in a piano box could be troubling for very little kids.
I liked this book very much, but I feel like my book talk of it for a parent would be more of a warning label than a promotion of the book, because it is so deceptively mature in content.
More...