Reviews (20)

Very dull sequel.
"Sorceress" was very, very disappointing."Witch Child" was interesting, mystifying, and intriguing.This book held none of those qualities, and I just felt obligated to finish it.Author Celia Rees should have just made a sequel to the book, without using Agnes and Alison.Those two characters made the story stop and go, ruining any and all flow. The conclusion of Mary's life was mundane and boring - nothing at all like the rest of her life.What a letdown.I do not recommend.

Sorceress
This book was good for a sequel because it follows up the amazing characters in Witch Child. I liked it because you actually got to find out what happened to some of the characters because Witch Child sort of left you hanging. And I really wanted to see what happened. I really was sad at some of the parts but I was very pleased with how this turned out.
great sequel
Sorceress is a continuation of Witch Child.The reader finally gets to find out what happened to Mary so many years ago.Only, Rees continues the story in such a unique fashion.Her research abilities come into practice again as the Reader gets an insight on the life and habits of Native Americans during the time of the French and Indian War.
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Subjects:  1. Canada, Eastern    2. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - General    3. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    4. Fiction    5. Historical - United States - Colonial    6. Indians of North America    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. New England    9. People & Places - United States - Native American    10. Shamans    11. Social Issues - General    12. Visionary & Metaphysical    13. Juvenile Fiction / Visionary & Metaphysical   

Reviews (31)

great read!
I thought this was one of my favorite books!The story is very interesting and a great book to do a school report on.The book is mainly about a girl named Mercy Carter who is about 11 and the time.One cold winter night, her town was taken over by a bunch of native americans.These Native Americans killed many in the town and took hundreds of captives.Their plan is to march all the way to Canada from Deerfield Massachusetts.When they get to the Native town, Mercy learns the Native's way of life, and learns to become a NAtive.She learns the language and everything.When ransom arrived for people in the Native town, will Mercy choose to become an Native, or go back to her home?

The Ransom of Mercy Carter
The Ransom of Mercy Carter is a historical fiction book about a young girl who along with about a hundred people from her little frontier town, is kidnapped by Indians. This book is very exciting and suspenseful, it really brings you into the difference between the Mohawk indian way of life and the Puritan way of life. Mercy and her friends are seperated and dispersed throughout different Indian villages to be adopted by Indian families. Mercy lives with her Indian "family" for a long while waiting for a ransom from the English that seems will never come. I will not give away the ending but all i can say is that this book is an extremley well written book that makes you have sympathy for the characters in the story.
GREAT BOOK!
I teach 8th grade literature and I truly enjoyed this book.I have taught Light in the Forest in the past and I will probably switch to this.The subject is interesting, the characters are well developed and it is one of the best historical fiction novels for young people I have read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Canada    2. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - History    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. Fiction    5. Historical - Military & Wars    6. Historical - United States - Colonial    7. History - United States/General    8. Indian captivities    9. Juvenile Nonfiction    10. Massachusetts    11. Mohawk Indians    12. People & Places - United States - Native American    13. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / Military & Wars   

Reviews (22)

An adolecent's journey
Having read in various books of the French and Indian war of Susanah Johnson's captivity and ordeal, I came across this fictionalized account set through the eyes of her sister, Miriam. Being curious, I purchased it.
A Captivating story!
This Historical Fiction Novel is great!!It helped me understand more about the time era.After the first few pages, I got really into the book.It made me feel as if I really were the main character, and going through her struggles.This book expresses the characters really well, and is fun to read!!

Timeless
I read this book first time in 1962 and have re-read it many times since.I've also given copies of it to many young girls as gifts.I love this book, the adventure, the romance and the survival of spirit.It also gave me my life long hobby of spinning and weaving which I, like Susanna, find such comfort and enjoyment in.Ms Spears other books are excellent but I believe this is the best.I just wonder why it was never turned into a movie. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Fiction    4. French and Indian War, 1755-1763    5. Historical - Canada - Pre-Confederation (to 1867)    6. Historical - United States - Colonial    7. History    8. Indian captivities    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Montrâeal (Quâebec)    11. United States    12. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / United States / Colonial & Revolutionary Periods   

Reviews (3)

Review for Return to Hawk's Hill
Return to Hawk's Hill by Alan W. Eckert is one of my favorite books.I think this book can be read or listened to by all ages.The book tells the story through the eyes of the family, Ben and the villagers.While reading the book, you will find yourself comparing what they did in a certain situation with what you would have done.The main theme is the conflict of what people think of others when they act, talk and do things you find are strange. Return to Hawk's Hill
I chose to read this book....I was looking for a novel that seemed interesting.I also wanted to read a book with a different genre from most of the other books I've read... A GOOD BOOK!
This sequal to Incident at Hawk's Hill was a great book. It was nice to find out that Ben MacDonold did well in school. When the familie's adventure starts, they didn't know that it would lead to a friendship with indians. This book was full of incredible suspense and action. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - General    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    3. Concepts - Counting & Numbers    4. Fiction    5. Indians of North America    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Metis Indians    8. Northwest, Canadian    9. People & Places - United States - Native American    10. Survival    11. Juvenile Fiction / Ethnic / Native American    12. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / United States / 19th Century   

Reviews (1)

Add to your personal, professional library today
The stories in this collection, all written by Native authors, go a long way towards countering the idea that Native Americans vanished long ago. Fresh and vibrant, you and your teens will enjoy each one. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - General    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    3. Fiction    4. Indians of North America    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. People & Places - Canada/Native Canadian    7. People & Places - United States - Native American    8. Short Stories    9. Short Story Collections (Young Adult)    10. Short stories, American    11. Short stories, Canadian    12. Juvenile Fiction / Ethnic / Native American   

Reviews (1)

What's the most beautiful thing you know about horses?
It's forty below in the Northwest Territories of Canada - so cold the ravens won't fly & Richard can't go outside. He decides to ask his family & friends the question that became the title to this book. Their answers bring a whole other world into light. Brilliantly illustrated byGeorge Littlechild from the Plains Cree Nation, this humorous quest of ayoungster's mind during a long winter's day, brings out the silly & theinsightful. Makes a lovely gift! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Horses    2. Canada    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 1-2    5. Fiction    6. Horses    7. Indians of North America    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Metis    10. Mâetis    11. Northwest Territories    12. People & Places - Canada/Native Canadian    13. People & Places - United States - Native American    14. Preschool Picture Story Books   

Reviews (8)

A must read book for any age
This book is about a thirteen year old boy named Pierre who becomes a voyeger and spends two years in northern Wisconsin, Michigan, and Canada. He works for the North West Company with a good friends La Pettite, Beliot a sheer chatter box, louie a new comer to the company like Pierre was two years ago. They build a trading post in an indian village. Pierre expeirences many crazy and wild adventures wile with his crewmembers in the northern woods.
A Great Story
I normally don't like when books are assigned in school, but this one turned out to be a great story.Lots of adventure, exitement, and good description.I'd recommend it to everyone.

An ok book...not that interesting
Wintering is about Pierre, a thirthteen-year-old boy, boy spends the summer of 1800 paddling and portaging a canoe twenty-four hundred miles into the French Canadian wilderness. When He is fourteen-year-old he becomes an hivernant who traps and trades furs with a crew in the North. He had to spend months in closed quaters with a teasing bowman and his leader that trys to push pierre into reading in english. Pierre becomes really close friends with an Ojibwe, who welcomes Pierre La Page into the his family.Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Canada    3. Children's 9-12 - History - General    4. Children: Grades 3-4    5. Fiction    6. Fur traders    7. Historical - Exploration & Discoveries    8. Indians of North America    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Ojibwa Indians    11. Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure   

Reviews (1)

Beautiful
I reviewed this book for circulation in the children's library where I work as an intern. I found it very touching, a first-hand account from a Native American who explains his feelings in a kind, appealing voice for a child. I am purchasing a copy for myself. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography - Cultural Heritage    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 3-4    5. Cree Indians    6. Juvenile Multicultural Studies    7. Juvenile Nonfiction    8. Juvenile literature    9. Littlechild, George    10. People & Places - Canada/Native Canadian    11. People & Places - United States - Native American    12. Social life and customs   

Subjects:  1. Arctic regions    2. Canadian Arctic Expedition (19    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    4. Children: Grades 1-2    5. Discovery and exploration    6. History - Exploration & Discovery    7. Inuit    8. Inupiat    9. Juvenile Nonfiction    10. Juvenile literature    11. Karluk (Ship)    12. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / Exploration & Discovery   

Reviews (3)

very good
I found the bookwritten in a way that brings you back to the time of Canadian colonization. I enjoyedthe historical aspect and the story.

Exciting and Educational
As a lover of historical fiction and a student of colonial North America, I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Originally written in 1946, "Madeleine Takes Command" is a true story of the 17th century Canadian frontier. With her parents away, it is up to 14 year old Madeleine de Vercheres and her two younger brothers to lead the defense of a small outpost against a surprise Mohawk attack. Based on actual events, this book gives us comfortable moderns a harrowing glimpse into the rough and perilous past. Just a lovely book. Please read it!
I was very impressed with this book.The story is strong, exciting and not a bit sentimental or over done. Madeleine is a wonderful heroine.Read more

Subjects:  1. Canada    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Fiction    5. General    6. Historical - General    7. History    8. Indians of North America    9. Iroquoian Indians    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. To 1763 (New France)    12. American history: c 1500 to c 1900    13. Quebec    14. Religion & Beliefs    15. c 1600 to c 1700   

Reviews (5)

A Fascinating Story that I found through Five In a Row
My children (1st & 2nd grade) really love this book.The premise had them leaping off the bed in amazement - "She goes under the SEA???The ice is over her HEAD????She goes by HERSELF????"
Educational and enjoyable
It has been said that a good children's book is a good read for people of any age.This book is another example of the truth of that statement.It teaches people who don't live in the northern tundra on the seashore about what their life is like, and it does so in a way that you enjoy the learning. Beneath the Ice.....
"Eva Padlyat lived in a village on Ungava Bay in northern Canada.She was Inuit, and ever since she could remember she had walked with her mother on the bottom of the sea.It was something the people of her village did in winter when they wanted mussels to eat.Today, something very special was going to happen.Today, for the very first time in her life, Eva would walk on the bottom of the sea alone..."So begins Jan Andrews' tale of a young girl's first trip alone through the thick winter ice.In painstaking and intriguing detail she describes Eva's adventure;cutting a hole in the ice at low tide, descending to the dark ocean floor below, lighting candles to illuminate the sea bed, collecting mussels, and exploring this beautiful hidden world.....Ms Andrews' engaging tale, filled with history, mystery, drama, and suspense captures the imagination, and is rich in imagery and magic.Illustrator, Ian Wallace's quiet, dreamy artwork, in soft, textured tones, pulls the reader beneath the ice and right into the story.Perfect for youngsters 5-9, Very Last First Time is a fascinating and evocative experience that shouldn't be missed, and works well as part of a unit introducing the Inuit culture and way of life, or as a stand-alone for story time. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Canada    2. Eskimos    3. Juvenile fiction    4. Sea stories   

Reviews (4)

Great Book !
I've been dying to read this book based on the reveiws.. When I saw it in the library, you can imagine that I grabbed it of the shelf ! Usually, I get too excited about books, and they turn out to be dissappointing.. But this was definetly worth it !! I love Maya's character and the whole plot that follows. I saw Ganesh in a new way, due to the way he talked to Maya and by his hungry actions,which was also very interesting ! Being Indian myself, I could relate to this book very well. This book was not only funny, but it gives a good lesson near the end.. This has to be my favorite book of all time !

A unique story with a dream-like quality
Wendy Lamb Books, 2005. Born in India and raised in Manitoba, Maya struggles to find her identity as the only brown-skinned kid in school. When her beautiful cousin, Pinky, arrives from India bearing a statue of the god Ganesh and proceeds to steal the boy Maya wants, Maya prays to Ganesh to remove all of her obstacles-with unintended consequences. A unique story with a dream-like quality that shows a young girl embracing her culture and learning about herself.

Great reading for all ages
I loved this book!I'm an adult, but even so I raced through this story.Maya is a wonderful, spunky character, who's warm, funny, and very real.I would follow her through a thousand more adventures.The writing is vivid and beautiful, full of metaphors and colorful descriptions.I'm looking forward to Anjali Banerjee's next book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Canada    2. Children's Books - Young Adult    3. Children's Books - Young Adult Fiction    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    6. East Indians    7. Family - General    8. Fiction    9. Humorous Stories    10. Identity    11. Juvenile Fiction    12. People & Places - Canada    13. Social Issues - Emotions & Feelings    14. Social Issues - General    15. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Reviews (2)

I LOVE THIS BOOK! by Illeria, a book lover
Maxine Trottier demonstrates her talents yet again in this wonderful book! Cecile is a French-Canadian girl, trying to find her way through life, with the help of Lesharo and Papa, of course. Through trial and happiness, this is an awsome story and there NEEDS to be a sequel!

Sister of the world.
This is a French-Canadian story of a fifteen-year-old girl and the journey of self-discovery as she travels through the wilderness in the early 1700s.Her grandmother expects her to behave like a proper French lady.Story conveys conflict between white invaders and native Indians.Interesting historical fiction. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - History    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    3. Fiction    4. Frontier and pioneer life    5. Historical - Canada - Pre-Confederation (to 1867)    6. Historical - General    7. Indians of North America    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Juvenile Historical Fiction    10. Michigan    11. Pawnee Indians    12. Social Issues - Friendship    13. Social Issues - Prejudice & Racism    14. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / Canada / Pre-Confederation (to 1867)   

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 2-3    3. Fiction    4. Inuit    5. Northwest Territories    6. People & Places - United States - Native American    7. Repulse Bay    8. Short Stories    9. Classic fiction    10. Juvenile Fiction / People & Places / Canada / Native Canadian   

Subjects:  1. Alaska    2. Children's 9-12    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 3-4    5. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    6. Family - Multigenerational    7. Fiction    8. General    9. Historical - Other    10. Historical - United States - 19th Century    11. Historical Fiction (Young Adult)    12. History    13. Juvenile Fiction    14. People & Places - Canada/Native Canadian    15. Russians    16. To 1867    17. Trading posts    18. Juvenile Fiction / Ethnic / Other   

Reviews (3)

A beautifully written story, with frightening accurate history lesson

The Winter People
This is a truly fasincating story told in a different perspective, through the eyes of a Native American. The novel shows us a totally opposite side of the stories and documents recorded and still used today in life. After I finally finished reading "The Winter People", I had an unique and new perspective towards the Abenakis. You will too, and I still do, hold a strong respect towards these people and their way of life.

Highly Reccomend this book
I found this to be both an easy to read book, and historically accurate as well. Bruchac is an amazing writer, and teaches many lessons while the the story is told. This book should definately be read by middle school-high school students because it will help teach about both the native peoples and the Seven Years war, and help to wash away some of the stereotypes that have plagued native peoples for many years.Read more

Subjects:  1. Abenaki Indians    2. Canada, Eastern    3. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - History    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Fiction    6. French and Indian War, 1755-17    7. Historical - Military & Wars    8. Historical - United States - Colonial    9. History    10. Indians of North America    11. Juvenile Fiction    12. People & Places - United States - Native American    13. United States    14. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / General   

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Fairy Tales & Folklore - Country/Ethnic-General    4. Folklore    5. Indians of North America    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Northwest Coast of North America    8. People & Places - Canada/Native Canadian    9. Juvenile Fiction / People & Places / Canada / Native Canadian   

Reviews (1)

A Nice Little Book for a Very Young Audience
This is a nice little book that is written for a VERY young audience. Although it claims to be for grades 1-3, it is, in my opinion, appropriate for grades K-1. Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Sociology    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. Ethnic - Native American    5. Haida Indians    6. Indians of North America    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Juvenile literature    9. People & Places - Canada    10. People & Places - United States - Native American    11. Readers - Beginner    12. Rites and ceremonies    13. Social Studies - General    14. Totem poles    15. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Subjects:  1. Canada    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Kindergarten    4. Family life    5. Fiction    6. Indians of North America    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Off-reservation boarding schools    9. People & Places - Canada/Native Canadian    10. Preschool Picture Story Books    11. School & Education    12. Social Issues - New Experience    13. Juvenile Fiction / People & Places / Canada / Native Canadian   

Reviews (5)

A haunting story
I first saw this as a movie on CBC's "For The Record" film series in the summer of 1977. I was hooked into the story as its many elements and circumstances paralleled my own young life. I grew up in group homes and foster homes as an aboriginal ward of various child care agencies. I didn't understand the complexities of personal identity until later in my life but this story became the catalyst of change for me. I started exploring my aboriginal roots after seeing this film and turned what was a hopeful and beautiful story that ended horribly into a long journey on my path to peace and acceptance of my aboriginal roots. Today I am a proud father of two children who I recently took to a traditional powwow for a weekend of camping and dancing to the drum with our native brothers and sisters.
sad and sick ending
Iam a Sr.1 student and my class had to read Dreamspeaker.i read a head and finshed the book, after reading the book i was very depressed, and a wondered why would a teacher would tell a class 2 read some thing like this, it sends the message to youth that hey well if your not getting your way end it. it would have been a great boook if the ending wasnt so sad.

An alternative view of whatpsychiatry calls mental illness
I first read this book ten years ago and instanlty loved it. I took my time about buying a copy, and it went out of print. I'm correcting that mistake today! The book is about a boy who, from time to time, experienceswhat modern mainstream psychiatry would call psychotic events (not to implythat those people could ever agree upon a diagnosis). He has had contactwith social services and the mental health profession...no luck. He thenruns into a native shaman. One of the definitions of "shaman" inthe dictionary I have here is: one who "divines the hidden." Theshaman teaches the boy that his episodes are not symptoms of mentalillness, but symptoms of being one of "the chosen." If you thinkstreet people are crazy, if you think crazy people should be at leastfixed, and probably locked-up in the process, if you own stock in the drugcompany which make lithium...this book my help. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    2. Fiction - General    3. General    4. Historical Fiction (Young Adult)    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. People & Places - Canada/Native Canadian    7. Social Issues - Adolescence    8. Modern fiction