I chose this book because ever since the first time I heard of it (way back in library school, which was about a decade ago now), I have wanted to read it. I remember either reading something or hearing something to the effect that The Birchbark House is the Native American response to the idea set forth in Little House in the Big Woods that the woods were empty of people save the Ingalls family. In other words, the woods were not empty; they were teeming with Native American life. Instead of the big woods of Wisconsin, this story takes place on an island in Lake Superior, but the time period is approximately correct: The Birchbark House takes place in 1847. It’s the story of one year in the life of an Ojibwa child, Omakayas. Omakayas lives with her mother, grandmother, older sister Angeline, younger brother Pinch, and baby brother Neewo, as well as occasionally her father, who makes a living running traps and furs for a fur company and thus is absent for part of the year. The book is divided into sections by season, so we vicariously experience the good times and the hard times of the Ojibwa.
The Birchbark House is an beautifully written book, just exactly the kind I love to share with my girls. It’s not so complicated that it’s difficult to follow, but the prose is gorgeously descriptive:
Running over to a bark-lined pit in the ground, she jumped in and began treading rice with a frantic pace that made everyone around her laugh. It was the sight of the impatient Two Strike Girl dancing the rice that Omakayas would remember long after, in the deep winter of the year. Her face was flushed and thrilled with effort. She was tireless. All day, and the next, Two Strike’s legs moved up and down, her feet, in clean new makazins, crushed the tough hulls. She never stopped. And all the time her eyes were shining, her white teeth set in a huge grin. Andeg [Omakayas’ pet crow] danced up and down with her on a limb above. (98)
I love that Omakayas is just about the same age as my girls, so much of what she feels, thinks, and experiences rings true to them. Her aggravation with her younger brother Pinch (who is quite the scamp!), her love for her baby brother Neewo, her longing to be older, like Angeline–both my girls can relate to parts of this, by turns. Omakayas fits into her family just like a vital cog in the workings of a smoothly-running clock. I love Erdrich‘s depiction of family life.
Warning: Spoilers ahead!
Things were going along swimmingly, as far as my girls were concerned, until we got to the climax of the story. A stranger shows up in their village, and with him he brings an unwelcome guest: smallpox. It’s a heartwrenching episode, made all the worse by the fact that baby Neewo dies. Yes! He does! And Omakayas is holding him, no less. All three of us were really undone by this, but one of my girls is slightly more sensitive to tragedy than the other, and she chose to quit listening to the story for a bit when this happened. When she rejoined the read-aloud session, we discussed how we’re all particularly sensitive to this because we have the DLM, who is just a bit older than Neewo apparently is when he dies. I don’t think my girl ever recovered from that episode, though to be sure, Omakayas herself deals with her grief throughout the rest of the book. (Actually, this is another strength of the story–that it deals with grief–if only it didn’t cut so close to the quick for us!) In fact, my daughter will tell you that she doesn’t like this book, and I’d say it’s just because she took Neewo’s death so hard. If you have sensitive children, take note.
The other thing that made me a little uncomfortable with this story is the repeated occurrence of Native American religion. Of course, it’s not like reading a nonfiction passage about the Ojibwa and their beliefs in medicine, spirits, etc. Instead, Louise Erdrich’s writing is so good that it’s almost like being there, in the middle of Omakayas’ awakening to her own gifts and abilities. On one hand, if what you’re after is a real (I assume, given that the author is Ojibwa herself) depiction of their practices and beliefs, this is good. On the other hand, if your own convictions make dwelling on and reading about such practices in a personal way uncomfortable for you, this story might be too close to the edge. I think it got awfully close for me. It did give us plenty of opportunity to discuss our beliefs and compare the Ojibwa beliefs to what the Bible teaches. I almost wish I had waited until my girls are a little older to read this, but I think I’d still want to read it with them.
The bottom line is this: The Birchbark House is a beautifully written book that is full of cultural and relational insight, humor, and just plain old fun, but it’s not without its difficulties. I give it a Highly Recommended on literary merit, but with the caveats mentioned above. (Hyperion, 1999)
This is one I’ve never read but thought about doing with my son during our recent Native American study. We ended up reading Sign of the Beaver and Julie of the Wolves instead. Thanks for the review, I think my son would also have a hard time with that particular death. He had a hard time with the death of the wolf in Julie. Sounds like a book we want to read, but maybe in a few years.
Perfect timing! My 10dd just started reading this book. I appreciate your review, warnings and all.
Ring true,
Nancy
I tried reading The Birchbark House to my daughter at age 6, we both found it too slow for our liking, so we abandoned it. I may give it another try, just for myself. Now we are reading Little House On the Prairie and loving it.
Amy.
Thank you for the review of this book. I have never heard of it before. As my children get older, I tend to want to let them “run free” when it comes to reading chapter books because I don’t want to “kill” their enthusiasm to read. It is nice to have a review (spoilers and all) that clue me into what they may come across in books that we (or them alone) would more than likely read during our school year. A few of the books they have already read have introduced families where everything isn’t so perfect. We are currently reading Because of Winn Dixie as a read-a-loud. I am cautious as we move more into books that discuss death (people or animals), but will also not allow the topic to prevent us from experiencing a really good read.
I think I would have almost an exact similar reading experience with this book. I love the passage that you shared. Made me smile. But the aspect of the death would be difficult. I think I’d want to wait and read it until all of the children in our house are older than the baby! But after that I think it would be very interesting to read and talk about!
We tried this as a read aloud a few months ago but did not get very far into it. I do want to finish reading it for myself though and read the other books in the series. Thinking maybe we will try it again with the kids later this year (or sometime…).
From the way it sounds, this is one I’ll let my daughter experience on her own when she is of middle grade age. Thanks for the detailed review!
Birch was on my mind as well this week – we made birch artwork to go along with our review of “Over and Under the Snow”
I did read this series aloud with my daughter a few years ago when she was middle grade, but at the older end of it. There are some sensitive things in the book, but that was one of the things that made it such a pleasure to experience together.
I read this with my then 6 year old last year for very similar reasons to yours and I think her response is similar to your daughter’s – the sorrow made the book a little hard to bear. But it is such a gorgeous book, so very well written, and yes, I think I very good companion read if your kids love the Laura Ingalls Wilder books as it shows other ways of thinking and experiencing things.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this book. It was one that was recommended to me by my librarian and you have saved me from wasted time pre reading. 🙂
Unfortunately, although I am glad your children enjoyed it. I don’t think it was developmentally appropriate for them, like you hinted at throughout your review. This book is best for 3rd and 4th graders, and depending on reading levels can even be used in a 5th grade class. This book should be used instead of quite silly Sign of the Beaver, this is an authentic multicultural literature book. As parents you should question the choices your teachers and schools are making, there are many resources out there to check for authenticity. Most importantly, a MEDAL does not equate a book with being historically or culturally authentic. Often times many are given for sheer writing. (Excluding Coretta Scott King and other specific cultural awards) I really encourage you all to really make sure your children are really receiving authentic experiences within their reading.