Louise Erdrich comes from a German and Native American heritage. She has written many books on Native American cultures. etc. etc. More info on Louise. Daily Beast interview with Louise.
I enjoyed Birchbark House. It has been likened to books like Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House on the Prairie series. It has a few pictures scattered throughout the book and reads at a somewhat slow pace and easy reading level. There are, however, some Ojibwa terms included, but not to worry, there is a handy translation key in the back of the book with a pronunciation guide.
Birchbark House covers many topics such as growing up, loss of loved ones, survival, familial bonds, origins, and more. The story is set in 1847, so it gives you a peek into what life was like for this specific Native American tribe, the Anishanabe. What I enjoyed the most was the reality of the book. The fights between the siblings, whether it was over feelings of anger masked as hate or as jealousy over a beautiful older sister. I thought it was refreshing to see the struggles of the family because most children's books will not show you the complexity of sibling relationships. Most children's books show the loving, kind siblings who do no wrong to each other. This book show a more realistic version, that of Omakayas, the main character, getting frustrated by her annoying little brother, Pinch, and later in the novel developing a quiet, unspoken awareness of how her love for her brother has grown. While slow at times, this book delivers when it needs to. Winter comes and you are sent on a roller coaster of emotion as the family battles disease and depression. I would recommend this book. It has also been brought up to me that it would be a good idea to recommend at the same time as the Laura Ingalls Wilder books. This would surely provide for good discussion between the two similar experiences.
Awards
Powwow Summer by Marcie Rendon
Jingle Dancer by Cynthia Leitich Smith
The Good Luck Cat by Joy Harjo
Dreamcatcher by Audrey Osofsky
House of Bark: Tipi, Wigwam, and Longhouse by Bonnie Shemie
Discussion Questions:
1. Do the illustrations in either book perpetuate stereotypes of indigenous tribes (Dreamcatcher and House of Bark)?
2. How might you use either book to discuss stereotypes with your readers (Dreamcatcher and House of Bark)?
3. In Dreamcatcher, do you think the author provides an authentic representation of the Ojibew culture? Why or why not?
4. What cultural values or themes might an insider identify with from the texts?
5. What universal themes might an outsider identify with from the texts?
Websites of interest:
Debbie Reese is tribally enrolled at Nambe Pueblo in New Mexico. A lot of her writing explores the ways in which Native Americans are displayed in children's books.
I enjoyed Birchbark House. It has been likened to books like Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House on the Prairie series. It has a few pictures scattered throughout the book and reads at a somewhat slow pace and easy reading level. There are, however, some Ojibwa terms included, but not to worry, there is a handy translation key in the back of the book with a pronunciation guide.
Birchbark House covers many topics such as growing up, loss of loved ones, survival, familial bonds, origins, and more. The story is set in 1847, so it gives you a peek into what life was like for this specific Native American tribe, the Anishanabe. What I enjoyed the most was the reality of the book. The fights between the siblings, whether it was over feelings of anger masked as hate or as jealousy over a beautiful older sister. I thought it was refreshing to see the struggles of the family because most children's books will not show you the complexity of sibling relationships. Most children's books show the loving, kind siblings who do no wrong to each other. This book show a more realistic version, that of Omakayas, the main character, getting frustrated by her annoying little brother, Pinch, and later in the novel developing a quiet, unspoken awareness of how her love for her brother has grown. While slow at times, this book delivers when it needs to. Winter comes and you are sent on a roller coaster of emotion as the family battles disease and depression. I would recommend this book. It has also been brought up to me that it would be a good idea to recommend at the same time as the Laura Ingalls Wilder books. This would surely provide for good discussion between the two similar experiences.
Awards
- Anisfield-Wolf Book Award. The Anisfield-Wolf Book Award recognizes books that have made important contributions to our understanding of racism and our appreciation of the rich diversity of human cultures.
- National Book Award. The National Book Award are given to one book (author) annually in each of four categories: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and young people's literature.
- National Book Critics Circle Award. The National Book Critics Circle Award is given for the finest books published in English.
Powwow Summer by Marcie Rendon
Jingle Dancer by Cynthia Leitich Smith
The Good Luck Cat by Joy Harjo
Dreamcatcher by Audrey Osofsky
House of Bark: Tipi, Wigwam, and Longhouse by Bonnie Shemie
Discussion Questions:
1. Do the illustrations in either book perpetuate stereotypes of indigenous tribes (Dreamcatcher and House of Bark)?
2. How might you use either book to discuss stereotypes with your readers (Dreamcatcher and House of Bark)?
3. In Dreamcatcher, do you think the author provides an authentic representation of the Ojibew culture? Why or why not?
4. What cultural values or themes might an insider identify with from the texts?
5. What universal themes might an outsider identify with from the texts?
Websites of interest:
- www.theways.org The ways is an ongoing series of stories from Native communities around the central Great Lakes. This online resource for 6-12 grade students features videos, interactive maps, and digital media exploring contemporary Native culture and language.
- American Indians in Children's Literature (AICL) provides critical perspectives and analysis of indigenous peoples in children's and young adult books, the school curriculum, popular culture, and society.
Debbie Reese is tribally enrolled at Nambe Pueblo in New Mexico. A lot of her writing explores the ways in which Native Americans are displayed in children's books.
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