hannahreadslotsofbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Spent some time working in the library today and was able to finish Salt during my shift. Super quick read. The book is written in verse and alternates back and forth between two boys with one being a white American settler and one a Native American from the Miami tribe. The boys are friends and spend time in nature together, but that all starts to change when alliances are formed for the war of 1812. Loyalties are questioned and no one knows who to trust even though they had strong friendships at the beginning. The book definitely does well with providing both perspectives of situations and can see why everyone is distrustful of others. While the book is written in verse, I do like how at the beginning there is a map of the land, a description about what the War of 1812 was about, and a character list. There is also bonus materials at the end that can help with comprehension as well, which is also nice.
suzannedix's review against another edition
4.0
This is my second Helen Frost novel in a week and I have to say that I am hooked. This author is thoughtFUL and thought-provoking. That she gives such attention to the shape of her poems is remarkable...not only is she telling a poignant and important story but she also captivates her reader with the flow of the words and the layout of the page.
Anikwa, a member of the Kekionga tribe, and James, an American child of a frontiering-family are good friends despite language barriers. At age 12, the world is to both of them about fishing and hunting and exploring the woods. The year is 1812 and as an adult you read each page with a heavy heart, knowing nothing fair or just is going to happen to Anikwa and his tribe. Frost tells this story of westward expansion with compassion for both sides of the fight. Middle grade readers will love this friendship despite the "us vs. them" and Ohioans in particular will be interested in learning more about the Miami tribe.
Anikwa, a member of the Kekionga tribe, and James, an American child of a frontiering-family are good friends despite language barriers. At age 12, the world is to both of them about fishing and hunting and exploring the woods. The year is 1812 and as an adult you read each page with a heavy heart, knowing nothing fair or just is going to happen to Anikwa and his tribe. Frost tells this story of westward expansion with compassion for both sides of the fight. Middle grade readers will love this friendship despite the "us vs. them" and Ohioans in particular will be interested in learning more about the Miami tribe.
mazza57's review against another edition
3.0
this is an interesting story of friendship and of the small things that can change that
kellkie's review against another edition
5.0
Salt is told in verse, alternating between the voices of 12 year olds Anikwa, of the Native American Miami village of Kekionga, and James, a boy from the trading post at Fort Wayne in 1812, just before the war begins. It tells of the strained friendship of these two boys who have known each other all their lives, played and hunted together, and learned from one another; and it tells of the changes that come when forces outside their understanding explode into a struggle over land and resources.
This is a book that belongs in the classroom library, as it paints a vivid picture of an important (and oft neglected) part of US history while bringing forth the voice of the people of that time. I almost gave this book 4 stars, but when considering the genre, subject, and intended audience, it easily earns a 5 star rating.
This is a book that belongs in the classroom library, as it paints a vivid picture of an important (and oft neglected) part of US history while bringing forth the voice of the people of that time. I almost gave this book 4 stars, but when considering the genre, subject, and intended audience, it easily earns a 5 star rating.
mamaorgana80's review against another edition
5.0
Short, moving, important. I wish more adults would read. They should start with middle grade books about our history.
abigailbat's review against another edition
4.0
James, an American boy, and Anikwa, a Miami Indian boy, are friends, even though their communities sometimes clash. But as war marches towards them, a war that will be devastating for both families, can their friendship survive?
This novel in verse switches perspective between James and Anikwa, giving a look inside both historic cultures. There's a lot to unpack here and I'm not sure it's the type of book that will be hugely popular among kids, but I could see it being a great book for the classroom, opening up discussions about cultures and history and poetic form and symbolism.
Read for Morris Seminar. 2013 pub date = not eligible for 2015 Newbery
This novel in verse switches perspective between James and Anikwa, giving a look inside both historic cultures. There's a lot to unpack here and I'm not sure it's the type of book that will be hugely popular among kids, but I could see it being a great book for the classroom, opening up discussions about cultures and history and poetic form and symbolism.
Read for Morris Seminar. 2013 pub date = not eligible for 2015 Newbery
ainiali's review against another edition
4.0
This shows how friendship got tested due to the war between the British & American and the Indian was forced to take side. Funny thing is the land was theirs in the first place...A read that make you understand.
krismarley's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not sure this would work for a read aloud as I hoped. The use of Miami language would slow down the best of Readers. Didn't refer to the list of Characters in the beginning as much as I thought I would have-a good thing-though it's much appreciated. Once it comes out in paperback- might make a good book club or literature circle selection. Salt was clearly a labor of love for Helen Frost.
emdoux's review against another edition
3.0
4th grade booktalk
Told in poems, Salt takes place during the War of 1812 and focusses on the friendship of two twelve-year old boys: James Gray, a white boy who lives near Fort Wayne, and Anikwa, a member of the Miami tribe of Native Americans. The two boys spend much of their time in the forest together, hunting and tracking animals, teaching and supporting each other across the barrier of their races and languages. But as the war moves closer and close to the boys’ homes, their friendship begins to become strained as each boy struggles to understand the conflict in terms of their own culture, and then their friendship. The conflicts between Anikwa and James, stemming from the war and the racial issues between white settlers and the native tribes, are not unique to the War of 1812 – these issues still exist today between friends of different races. For not only a great story about two friends, but a story about a piece of American history, check out Salt by Helen Frost.
Told in poems, Salt takes place during the War of 1812 and focusses on the friendship of two twelve-year old boys: James Gray, a white boy who lives near Fort Wayne, and Anikwa, a member of the Miami tribe of Native Americans. The two boys spend much of their time in the forest together, hunting and tracking animals, teaching and supporting each other across the barrier of their races and languages. But as the war moves closer and close to the boys’ homes, their friendship begins to become strained as each boy struggles to understand the conflict in terms of their own culture, and then their friendship. The conflicts between Anikwa and James, stemming from the war and the racial issues between white settlers and the native tribes, are not unique to the War of 1812 – these issues still exist today between friends of different races. For not only a great story about two friends, but a story about a piece of American history, check out Salt by Helen Frost.
megnews's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5