The Birchbark House originally began as a story Erdrich would tell her daughters. The novel includes decorative pencil drawings, as well as a map of the Ojibwa community, and a glossary of Ojibwa language translations. She has three siblings: a baby named Neewo (who dies from smallpox), Little Pinch (later changed to Big Pinch) and Angeline.

The most important thing Omakayas learns about herself is why she didn't get smallpox when most everyone in the community did.

She learns about her connection to all nature, and discovers her gift of dreams. Omakayas cares for her family because she knew that with the winter comes a smallpox epidemic. The community in each season works together to hunt, build, gather, and survive. The circular motion of the Ojibwa culture is represented through the motions of the four seasons, Neebin (summer), Dagwaging (fall). Īfter the prologue, the novel continues through the eyes of a seven-year-old young girl, Omakayas ('her name means 'little frog' because her first step was a hop). The Birchbark House has received positive reviews and was a 1999 National Book Award Finalist for young people's fiction. The story follows the life of Omakayas and her Ojibwe community beginning in 1847 near present-day Lake Superior. Another theme that seems to be developing is that tradition is important.The Birchbark House is a 1999 indigenous juvenile realistic fiction novel by Louise Erdrich, and is the first book in a five book series known as The Birchbark series. Deydey did not make a tobacco offering and regretted it. One of the themes seems to be that bears are protectors. Deydey was saved because he pretended to be a bear. So far, the book seems to have several themes, or messages, developing. It is a special moment because the whole family is together and engaged. This story can lead to predictions about hunger, since that is what caused the death of the ghosts. It lets us know traditions were important in the tribe because only Deydey could tell a story since it wasn't a legend, but Deydey strayed from traditions sometimes because he hadn't offered tobacco to the spirits.ĭeydey has returned and will be more involved with the book. This story helps us picture the inside of the house since it mentions the fire in the middle and lots of blankets and robes.

Remember, setting is the time, place, and common beliefs of the people. 1 The Birchbark House Deydey’s Ghost StoryĢ Click on the speaker to hear “Deydey’s Ghost Story.ģ How does this help develop the setting?

The birchbark house online