Connie Brummel Crook

This book is about a young boy who belongs to a Native American tribe. Not only is the book diverse in culture, the young boy was born disabled, and has a limp leg. The young boy is often teased by other children because he can not join along in tag or dance. The boy one day proves to the whole tribe his worth by finding a source of food for the starving tribe, maple syrup. This book teaches a lesson of self worth. This book shows that physical disabilities do not impede one from being great show more anyway. I thought it was a lovely book to show different culture, but to also teach the lesson of self worth. show less

I am sure that this historical fiction will help young readers better understand life in the Great Depression of the 30's in a way that a teacher just can't do. The main character, Bonnie, is geniune to the period and a characer I think adults and kids would equally love. Not without hardship, Bonnie seems to face each obstacle with courage and acceptance. Overall, I thought it was an excellent read that was appropriate as a Willow nominee in this age category.

Lots of action and realistic characters...nice to see a strong female character for role models in this book.

This is a historical fiction book about how maple syrup was first discovered. This is historical fiction because the characters are believable and it was set at a much later time. I would use this with the primary grades, and in the classroom about discoveries, and in class when talking about Indians.