Junior becomes a traitor to his reserve by going to town to the white school, on the advice of a teacher. It is a very courageous move and fraught with difficulties. At first only his parents are supportive, but with time he has some surprising victories.
Author Neil Gaiman says it very well with his review:"I have no doubt that in a year or so it'll both be winning awards and being banned." I'm betting with him. This book is hilarious, heartbreaking, and an all 'round triumph. Excuse me if it talks about something "forbidden" - we should all read it.
Categories: Reviews, Staff Pick
, author of Island of the Blue Dolphins was working on this book at the time of his death. finished it for him. It is the story of Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce people, who were driven from their home in the Wallowa Valley in Oregon.They were pushed into battle against much better armed troops who fought dirty by killing women and children. After it was all over the natives died, in great numbers, of disease and lived in abject poverty.
It is a very,very tired story in North American history, done from a fresh fictional viewpoint of a teenaged girl. I could see this making a fine novel study for Grade 5-8.
Categories: Reviews, Staff Pick
takes us back to World War II as seen through the eyes of a naive sixteen-year-old Saskatchewan farm boy.
Categories: Reviews, Staff Pick
In Salem Witch, two friends are torn apart by their fathers' opposing views as judges in Salem, Massachusetts during the witch hunts. I found the story has a chilling reality.
has done well with the difficult task of presenting a very heavy story from two points of view. She also keeps it, I think, at the interest level of a middle-year reader.
Categories: Reviews
A book for beginner artists, this book is full of well laid out steps for simple attractive crafts and art projects. Just what you might need to get you and your preschooler started on the path to creativity. Very colourful, and coil-bound - always a plus.
