The Birchbark House by Erdrich - Louise (1900) Hardcover

The Birchbark House is a very good topic book for people learning about Native Americans. Though it is historical fiction, it shows a daily Native American life very well using the example of a little girl called Omakyas and her siblings. Louise Erdrich is very descriptive in her writing, and I recommend it to readers of any age.

The Birch Bark House written by Louise Erdrich was an excellent read. The main character is Omakays, or Little Frog; she has two brothers Neewo, and Little Pinch who later is called Big Pinch and her sister Angeline. She faces many challenges for a young girl of seven winters, including the deadly small pox, who she really is, severe hunger, and loss of ones she loves. The setting is on an island on Lake Superior, home to the Anishinabe, approximately 1847.

I enjoyed this book because it uses precise details of events that happen to Little Frog and her family during that year. For example small pox "It was hearing of his death in hushed tones, though, the next day, she would always recall. The report of it. For the horror flooded swiftly from house to house, lodge to lodge. He died of small pox"(pg 1). I also enjoyed this book because it was a real page turner I found that I could not stop reading chapter after chapter no matter what time it was, or if I had to do something. For example, in chapter 10 The Visitor, I just had to read so I would know what happened after the smallpox outbreak. Something that could have been done a little better by the author was the setting. It could have been more precise, for example when Little Frog met her "bear brothers" I really didn't understand where she was, other than somewhere in the woods looking for little red heartberries. Other than that simple flaw The Birch Bark House was an awesome read. Katrina b

The Birchbarck House was a fun quick read. I needed it for a Native American class and the book was a wonderful and factual sorce for information on North East Native Americans! I would say that this is a good read for anyone who wants an interesting read along with the historical backround!

I could read The Brichbark House over and over again. It was a sad story when one of the main characters, Baby Neewo, died of some kind of sickness. I don't want to give it all away. I liked the part when Old Tallow said,"I'll take a stick to you if don't eat." I hope everyone will read it and learn about the Ojibwa ways and language.It made me cry. I felt like I was in the story. All in all, I think everyone should try to read the book.

My 12-year-old granddaughter gave me this book to read. She said, "Grandma you just have to read it!" She was right! I had to read it! I have read adult books by the same author, Louise Erdrich and have enjoyed her books over the years. This book is excellent! The drawings by the author I thoroughly enjoyed. They really added to the story. There were multiple themes with very heart warming moments, family and love at the book's core, heart rending hardship, Ojibway culture and the encroaching white people into their Native territory. There were so many threads in this story woven around this beautiful tapestry of this book. I can almost picture the native beadwork that would tell the story… I like how the center of the story is about the main character and her family. There are times throughout the book that I cried. My granddaughter told me that she cried too. My granddaughter has a little brother who is more like little pinch than the baby, so she could relate to being a big sister of a brother who can be a nuisance. I think the format of the book was excellent going through the seasons. I'm glad it ended at spring time, the season of hope. Reading about the winter was harsh and very hard. The smallpox illness was a reality that the native Americans faced in that time period. I think this book is a great teaching tool as well for young readers. I'm glad I took my granddaughter's advice and read it.

This is an excellent book required by my granddaughter's school. We read it together and had long discussions about the events and perspectives in the book. Together, we enjoyed it immensely and continue to discuss what we learned from reading it. I recommend it to any loved one who wants to help a young person understand diversity in the human race.