From: Debbie Reese <d-reese>
Date: Thu, 14 Oct 1999 20:37:01 -0500

I spoke with two children today about Birchbark House. Below are their comments.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT BIRCHBARK HOUSE?

Child 1: Everything! It's a great book, especially it's unique because it's by a little girl and she's a Native American. And there aren't very many books about Native Americans told by Native Americans.

Child 2: I like how it shows the perspective of life from a Native American girl around my age. And it gives me an idea of what someone else might have thought in a different religion than I am.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART?

Child 1: My favorite part is when she meets the bears and then she meets them again later on. (She was reluctant to go into details because she didn't want to ruin the bear story for the 2nd child.)

Child 2: Since I've just started the book, I'm only on chapter five. But so far, my favorite part has been when they catch the crows and Omakayas makes friends with Andeg.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT OLD TALLOW?

Child 1: I think she's a nice old woman but sometimes grouchy. She likes dogs. So do I. And she's tough and sometimes she reminds me of a witch.

Child 2: I think she's a little bit of a grump, but she stands up for herself. She doesn't need anyone around, and she's tough.

DO YOU THINK OTHERS SHOULD READ IT? WHY?

Child 1: I think others should read it, cause like I said before, its a unique book and if others miss out on that, I don't know what will happen. Because my culture doesn't get to be heard very often, and it is very very wonderful that this book is a good teacher for children like me.

Child 2: Definitely. I've had a good time reading it and since I've read many other books, I'm sure someone else will too. Its really neat about the culture and you can really get a clear picture in your head.

DID YOU KNOW THERE WILL BE THREE OTHER BOOKS ABOUT OMAKAYAS THAT LOUISE ERDRICH IS GOING TO WRITE?

Child 1: I didn't know that, but I am so happy.

Child 2: Wow! I'm so excited that that's going to happen. No. I didn't know that!

WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL HAPPEN IN THE 2ND BOOK?

Child 1: I'm guessing Omakayas will be a teenager or adult. And maybe smallpox will come back. Maybe she'll go live with the bears. I know the bears will be involved big time... a big part in the story.

Child 2: I think Omakayas will be quite a bit older, maybe her family will move. Maybe they'll move to the mainland, because, maybe they've heard danger is coming, like a disease.


_________________________________ Debbie Reese, Doctoral Student Dept. of Curriculum and Instruction College of Education, University of Illinois Champaign, IL 61820
               Telephone: 217$4?86 Fax: 217$4E72 Email: d-reese at uiuc.edu
Received on Thu 14 Oct 1999 08:37:01 PM CDT