Children of the Longhouse

Set after the founding of the Iroquois Confederacy, and before the arrival of European settlers, Children of the Longhouse follows the story of twin brother and sister Ohkwa'ri and Otsi:stia, two eleven-year-old Mohawk children. When Ohkwa'ri overhears another young boy planning a foolhardy raid against the neighboring Anen:taks people, his actions prevent disaster, but also earn him some enemies. Will they take their revenge during the next Tekwaarathon (lacrosse) game, and if so, what can Ohkwa'ri and Otsi:stia do about it?

This is historical fiction at its best - an exciting fast-paced narrative, joined to a historically accurate portrayal of the culture of the Haudenosaunee ("People Building a Longhouse"). A wonderful novel, both show more engaging and informative, it is suitable for middle grade readers, and would make an excellent introduction to a unit on the Iroquois, or pre-contact American history. show less

A fascinating setting -- Mohawk village in 1491, and a Native voice telling the stories -- it's a great book for anyone interested in imaging the past. Laced with stories, featuring a traditional healing Lacrosse game, and full of interesting day-to-day life.

When Ohkwa'ri overhears a group of older boys planning a raid on a neighboring village, he immediately tells his Mohawk elders. He has 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 Tekwaarathon (lacrosse). Ohkwa'ri believes in the path of peace, but can peaceful ways work against Grabber's wrath?

Read with my son for the Build Your Library Level 5 American History curriculum. Enjoyable middle-grade novel that gives young readers a sense of kinship with people from another time and (in our case at least), culture. My son enjoyed connecting what we were reading in our nonfiction books with the fictional portrayal here.

I'm still reading, but it's a slice-of-life, coming-of-age story about a Abenaki boy dealing with bullying by another boy in his band. (Or, alternatively, it's about traditional tribal conflict resolution and decision-making, etc.)

Lexile: 950
Reading Recovery: 30
DRA: 44
Fountas Pinnel Guided Reading: X