Makoons

May 1, 2016
In this fifth book of the Birchbark House series, Omakayas, her twin sons, Makoons and Chickadee, and their extended family adjust to life on the Great Plains following their 1866 migration from the Minnesota woods to Dakota Territory."Connected to each other by invisible strings of life," Makoons and Chickadee quickly discover life on the Plains belongs "to the buffalo" and "hunters of the buffalo." Eager to join the male hunters, the twins learn to hunt with bow and arrow while riding ponies. Disappointed to be excluded from the first hunt, they find consolation driving an ox cart to transport hides and witness the hunt. After adopting an orphan buffalo calf, the boys use their knowledge of buffalo language to play a pivotal part in another buffalo hunt. But this moment does not last. Aware the buffalo are fleeing westward to escape invading white settlers, the family relocates further west to a wooded place where they build a cabin and suffer loss, leaving readers wondering what the future holds. Laced with Ojibwe words (explicated in backmatter), Erdrich's simple text and delicate pencil illustrations provide a detailed, honest portrait of Plains life through the antics and experiences of two Ojibwe boys.A warm and welcome addition to the unfolding saga of a 19th-century Ojibwe family. (map, author's note) (Historical fiction. 8-12)

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Starred review from March 1, 2016

Gr 4-6-In the newest addition to this series, Erdrich continues her excellent storytelling relating more adventures of a small clan of Ojibwe in the 1860s. Eight-year-old Makoons, or Little Bear, recovers from his heartsick-induced illness (as described in Chickadee [HarperCollins, 2012]) and dreams a vision full of joy and sorrow. Makoons and his twin, Chickadee, travel with their family from western Minnesota to the Dakota Territory in search of "the generous ones"-buffalo. The two boys are full of mischief, inseparable as they hunt, explore, and grow. They are also a great help to their family as they call the buffalo when the adults begin to despair at having a successful hunt. Information about hunting, packing, foraging, and preparing food is incredibly detailed, but in no way tedious. The family work together tirelessly, knowing their survival depends on it. Ojibwe culture, language, and customs are interwoven throughout. Character development is a great strength in Erdrich's writing; she has a knack for creating humorous and endearing characters, and this story is no exception. Pencil drawings throughout, especially those of Makoons learning to ride a horse and hunt, help readers visualize the narrative. As the plot progresses, Makoons changes in a surprising way, bringing the heartbreaking fulfillment of his dream. This beautiful novel is quick moving and deeply affecting. VERDICT Readers will thoroughly enjoy following Makoons and learning about Ojibwe life.-Lisa Crandall, formerly at the Capital Area District Library, Holt, MI

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2016
Grades 4-7 Makoons, the twin brother of Chickadee (for whom the last book in the Birchbark House series was titled), takes center stage in this fifth installment. But though the preteen is in the spotlight, the story really revolves around his whole Ojibwe family, a multigenerational clan now living on the Great Plains of Dakota Territory in 1866. Life is different from what the family originally knew along the lakes and rivers of the area now known as Minnesota, but much of the day-to-day work is unchanged. As she has done previously, Erdrich lingers on mundane details of life: the planting of gardens, tanning of hides, and preparing of food. There is one difference on the Plainsthe buffalo is kingand Makoons and Chickadee must learn to become buffalo hunters. Along with that action, great character sketches emerge: tough-as-nails Two Strike, who wouldn't even raise her own child, is captivated by a little lamb, while preening Gichi Noodin goes from conceited young hunter to humble suitor. Erdrich's direct narrative voice brings readers right into Makoons' world. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: A new addition to the Birchbark House saga, launched in 1999, is always an anticipated event, and Chickadee (2012) won the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)