  | Full Text Reviews: Booklist - 04/15/2016 Makoons, the twin brother of Chickadee (for whom the last book in the Birchbark House series was titled), takes center stage in this fifth installment. But though the preteen is in the spotlight, the story really revolves around his whole Ojibwe family, a multigenerational clan now living on the Great Plains of Dakota Territory in 1866. Life is different from what the family originally knew along the lakes and rivers of the area now known as Minnesota, but much of the day-to-day work is unchanged. As she has done previously, Erdrich lingers on mundane details of life: the planting of gardens, tanning of hides, and preparing of food. There is one difference on the Plains—the buffalo is king—and Makoons and Chickadee must learn to become buffalo hunters. Along with that action, great character sketches emerge: tough-as-nails Two Strike, who wouldn’t even raise her own child, is captivated by a little lamb, while preening Gichi Noodin goes from conceited young hunter to humble suitor. Erdrich’s direct narrative voice brings readers right into Makoons’ world. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: A new addition to the Birchbark House saga, launched in 1999, is always an anticipated event, and Chickadee (2012) won the Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction. - Copyright 2016 Booklist. School Library Journal - 12/01/2016 Gr 4–6—The multilayered and episodic fifth book in this Ojibwe family saga follows the eight-year-old twin brothers Makoons (Bearchild) and Chickadee, now living on the Great Plains in 1866, as they awkwardly learn to become buffalo hunters and the caretakers of an orphaned calf. Enhanced by her own pencil illustrations, Erdrich's tale effortlessly weaves playful romps, adventures, and comic relief while marking the melancholic passing of time. This beautifully lyrical tale will satisfy fans of the series and entice newcomers. - Copyright 2016 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Loading...
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