About Me

I'm the school librarian at G.S. Lakie Middle School. As you can see - me, reading and comfy chairs go way back. I still enjoy Asterix and many other graphic novels. My main reason for blogging is for reviewing books for the students and anyone else that might be interested in YA literature.
Showing posts with label Native Americans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Native Americans. Show all posts

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Timber Wolf

Timber Wolf by Caroline Pignat

If you crave a story filled with backcountry adventure look no further...
Jack wakes up alone, injured and completely lost in the Northern wilderness. He has no memory of what happened, how he got there, or who he is. The days pass but there is still no sign of rescue. His injuries are festering and he can no longer hunt to survive. With the dwindling scraps of food and the wolf drawing nearer each night, Jack begins to fear for the worst. His family, wherever they are, whoever they are, have abandoned him completely. The only one coming for him is the wolf.

This is the third book in the Greener Grass series by Caroline Pignat. What I like about this series is that each book can stand alone, although they are tied together by the Byrne family.

I loved this description of the Windigo - "The Windigo towers above the tallest man, but is as gaunt as a skeleton. It smells of death and decay, for that is what it brings as it seeks to feed its never-ending hunger. And the more it eats, the bigger it gets. But as it grows, so does its hunger."
It reminded me of Skeleton Man by Joseph Bruchac. Obviously both creatures are based in Native American myths and legends. I hate to be told that kind of story before heading out on a winters night.



Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Trickster: Native American tales


Trickster: Native American Tales , a graphic collection / edited by Matt Dembicki

Well, I might have a new favourite graphic novel. I loved this collection of trickster stories. Matt Dembicki selected native american storytellers from across the continent and then also selected illustrators from across the continent and helped match them up- to put forth this awesome collection of pourquoi stories (pourquoi means - a story that explains why something is the way it is), some stories teach young children rules or lessons, some are funny, some a bit scary. In general I think there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

Here's part of the summary from the back cover:
Meet the trickster, a crafty creature or being who disrupts the order of things, often humiliating others and sometimes himself in the process. Whether a coyote or rabbit, raccon or raven, tricksters use cunning to get food, steal precious possessions, or simply cause mischief.

Here's a link for an interview with author Matt Dembicki and one of the storytellers Michael Thompson -
http://www.graphicnovelreporter.com/content/trickster-tales-interview-matt-dembicki-and-michael-thompson-interview

Thank You to Miss Hiembecker for suggesting it for our library.

Monday, November 23, 2009

The Dark Pond



The Dark Pond by Joseph Bruchac

from the back cover:

As soon as he arrived at the North Mountain School, Armie sensed something strange about the dark pond in the forest. An eerie presence haunts his dreams and keeps drawing him back to the pond - something dangerous that lurks in its depths.

Armie turns to the tales of his Shawnee ancestors for help-but if he's right about what lives in the still, black waters of the dark pond, he may need more than his wits to survive...

Much like Skeleton Man - Bruchac creates a story based around Native American mythology and then gives us a thrilling good suspense ride. If you've enjoyed some of his other stories you'll probably like this one too. I did.

Read On

Friday, September 25, 2009

Children of the Longhouse


Children of the Longhouse by Joseph Bruchac

Joseph Bruchac is one of my many favourite authors and once again I enjoyed one of his books. This time travelling back in history to about 1493, set after the founding of the Iroqois Confederacy and before the arrival of European settlers. I enjoyed how many native american teachings were interwoven into this book, and I think it would make a great story to be read aloud or done as a novel study for Grade six because it has a terrific tie in with the Social Studies curriculum and explains the traditions and layout of the longhouse in a way that can be visualized.

Summary- When Ohkwa'ri overhears a group of older boys planning a raid on a neighbouring village, he immediately tells his Mohawk elders. Has he done the right thing? but he has also made enemies. Grabber and his friends will do anything they can to hurt him, especially during the village-wide game of Tekwarrathon (lacrosse). Ohkwa'ri believes in the path of peace, but can peaceful ways work against Grabber's wrath?