The Game of Silence (Birchbark House)

Editorial Reviews. From School Library Journal. Grade -Omakayas's tale, begun in The The Game of Silence (Birchbark House) by [Erdrich, Louise].
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The love story of Fishtail and Angeline. The characters are so beautifully represented you feel like you know them As with "The Birchbark House", I appreciate that Erdrich does not back off of the difficulties that were experienced by the early Native people because the main audience for this series is children. There are real stakes to the world that these people are living in, and the outcome for dark situations is often not positive. This is a brave, writerly move in a country that often wants to rewrite the history of its Native people in order to make the story of our past more "paletteable" to mainstream audiences.

The "About the Author" portion of this book says that Erdrich plans to write seven more of these stories, and I have the next three on my shelf waiting to be read. When it's complete, I believe this series will stand out among the classics of children's historical literature. And as a Native girl that will one day have Native girls of her own, that makes me so happy. Jul 30, Michael rated it really liked it Shelves: It is a sequel to The Birchbark House. Though targeted to young adults, I found the portrayal of the rhythms of life in a tribal clan on an island in Lake Superior plenty satisfying enough to recommend to any adult reader.

The girl telling the story is on a path of excellence in both crafts and snare-trapping and fishing, but is recognized for her prospects of becoming a spiritual leader. Her frequent nemeses include her unruly young brother and another girl who bullies her but has her respect and jealousy over her warrior and hunting skills.


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Her love for certain elders leads her to learn much about canoe building, clothing making, meat and fish drying, vision quests, and various rituals. The slice of life portrayed in the tale is a cherishing of what was doomed to largely be lost. Nov 30, Caroline Daniel rated it really liked it Shelves: This book talks about a little girl name Omakayas who is a native american. She loves the life she lives and then one day realizes that it can all be taken away from her. The white people come and try to take over her tribes land and she is scared of what is to come. When learning about all the things that happened to the native americans.

This can be read in a reading class at the same time that they are learning about native americans in o Summary: This can be read in a reading class at the same time that they are learning about native americans in their history class. Student can talk about how they would have felt if they were the little girl in the book. Will read at the same time that history is teaching a similar lesson and test over comprehension of the book as a whole.

Crossing Bok Chitto o Multimedia connections available: None of this book Nov 20, Melody rated it really liked it Recommended to Melody by: A Bevy of Burtons. I found it interesting that Erdrich came back to these people so many years later in real time, I mean- The Birchbark House was written in I'm glad she did.

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I enjoyed this one perhaps more than the first- I think Erdrich does a fabulous job of showing how the changes come to the family without telling us a thing. It's all seen quite authentically through the eyes of Omaykayas, and the baggage I bring to what she sees is emphatically my own.

Working With Birch Bark

I love Omaykayas' family. Her interactions with I found it interesting that Erdrich came back to these people so many years later in real time, I mean- The Birchbark House was written in Her interactions with her annoying little brother Pinch are spot-on. I really dig the ebb and flow of emotions that run through this family- Yellow Kettle boils over with a certain regularity, and everyone copes.

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DeyDey vanishes and reappears, and it's just the way things are. My own childhood was steeped in Manifest Destiny and the Little House books. I wish I'd had these books instead. Though I'd probably have colored my face with charcoal and wandered off into the woods for a week.

The Birchbark House and The Game of Silence | alibrarymama

Jul 08, Carolynne rated it really liked it Shelves: This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Omakayas begins to learn her strengths and abilities as Nokomis her grandmother teaches her about healing plants, and she begins to have prophetic dreams. The most important dream is one in which she sees her family leaving their beloved Island of the Golden-Breasted Woodpecker to try to find living space in the lands occupied by the Dakota Indians.

On this journey, the Game of Silence becomes a matter of life or death. Fans of the L Omakayas begins to learn her strengths and abilities as Nokomis her grandmother teaches her about healing plants, and she begins to have prophetic dreams. Fans of the Little House books will probably enjoy these books told from the Anishabe Ojibwe point of view. Feb 19, Brenna rated it it was amazing. I bought the first book in this series for my 10 year old daughter. One day she left it in the bathroom and I happened to pick it up. Once in hand, I could scarcely put it back down. I loved how true-to-life these stories are.

Unlike many children's books about Native American life, the author doesn't portray it as one long camping trip. She doesn't tiptoe around the hardships they encountered. As much as I don't want to ache and cry over the ordeals they suffered, the realism of this story is p I bought the first book in this series for my 10 year old daughter. As much as I don't want to ache and cry over the ordeals they suffered, the realism of this story is part of it's beauty. It is the perfect balance of history and fiction.

It is a perfect glimpse into what life was like for them, seen through the eyes of a child's experiences and emotions. Jul 23, LibraryCin rated it liked it Shelves: It is and Omakayas is now 9-years old. This book goes through another year in her life, all four seasons. In the spring, Omakayas, her family, and the other Ojibwe discover that they are being told by the white people that they need to leave. They send out four men to find out what happened, why they must leave — did they break the treaty?

While the four men are gone, Omakayas learns about medicines from her grandm 3.


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    5. While the four men are gone, Omakayas learns about medicines from her grandmother, while her cousin, Two Strikes, though a girl, wants to build her own little army made up of the boys. And, there is more day-to-day stuff happening, as well. There are very nice illustrations, and some well-done descriptions of how things were done similar to the first book.

    I also appreciated the prologue, which was a bit of a recap, as it's been a few years since I read "Birchbark House". Jun 27, Kristen rated it it was amazing Shelves: Omakayas realizes that something so valuable, so important that she never knew she had it in the first place, is in danger: Her way of life. Thanks for signing up! We've emailed you instructions for claiming your free e-book.

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    Specialty Booksellers Interest-specific online venues will often provide a book buying opportunity. International Customers If you are located outside the U. Performed by Anna Fields. Year Year X Tell us more about what you like to read so we can send you the best offers and opportunities. Omakayas is trying to decide when it will be the right time for her to undertake her dream journey, when she will spend nights alone in the woods with her face painted black, waiting for the spirits to speak to her. Word comes that their people may be forced west, towards the hostile and violent Bwaanag people, and this rumor is confirmed when a large group of starving refugees arrives by canoe from father east.

    The Game of Silence comes as the adults get together to discuss what to do about the changes they see coming, and set out a variety of tempting prizes for the children who can stay silent the longest. Meanwhile, Angeline shocks Omakayas by deciding to go to the school run by white people in town. As in the previous book, even when outside events are difficult, the strength of family and community carry through, while Omakayas herself grows and finds her place within them. While this is an excellent series, we need more!

    The Game of Silence

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