Product Description

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? An exciting story that also offers an in-depth look at Native American life centuries ago. -- Kirkus Reviews Joseph Bruchac is an award-winning storyteller, writer, and editor, and the author of The First Strawberries and Thirteen Moons on Turtle's Back. He lives in Greenfield Center, New York.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #27493 in Books
• Published on: 1998-08-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Told from the alternating points of view of Native American Ohkwa'ri and his twin sister Otsi:stia, this historic novel shows a Mohawk village during the best of times: after the Great League of Peace is formed and before European settlers rob the tribe of its land. The story revolves around 11-year-old Ohkwa'ri's conflicts with a pompous bully, but the plot is less essential than the painstakingly wrought details about the tribe's daily rituals, legends and annual celebrations. Bruchac, who states in an afterword that his book is "the result of a lifetime of learning from my Mohawk friends and neighbors," eloquently conveys how democracy, respect and justice are integral components of the Native Americans' religion and government. Besides learning the origins of modern-day lacrosse and certain kinds of tool-making, readers will come away from this novel with a broadened awareness of a nearly vanished culture. Ages 8-11.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Grade 3-6?Ohkwa'ri is hiding in a shaded area when he overhears the misguided Grabber's intentions to start a war with the neighboring Anen:taks tribe. Although the boy is barely 11 winters old, he realizes something must be done to stop his fellow tribesman's plans. Set in a longhouse village in upstate New York, Bruchac's story establishes a sense of place in the first chapter: Ohkwa'ri works to become a respected member of his tribe, while Grabber and his cohorts, Greasy Hair, Falls a Lot, and Eats Like a Bear, attempt to get even with him. Despite the predictability of the plot, young readers will enjoy the glimpses of Native American culture. The importance of respect and honor are clearly outlined through Ohkwa'ri's feelings toward his elders such as his grandmother and his uncle. On his own, the earnest young hero builds and sleeps in his own lodge, illustrating independence and self-sufficiency. Other aspects of Native life such as name giving, government, and family relations are outlined. The mixing of fact with fiction is consistent and believable. Jan Hudson's Sweetgrass (Scholastic, 1991) or Elizabeth George Speare's The Sign of the Beaver (Dell, 1993) are more absorbing, yet Bruchac's latest offering is a good choice for large collections.?Julie Shatterly, York County Public Library, Rock Hill, SC
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Gr. 3^-6. Eleven-year-old Ohkwa'ri overhears Grabber and his friends planning to raid a neighboring village and warns the tribal elders, preventing the raid but gaining the wrath of the older boys. When the village decides to hold a game of Tekwaarathon (lacrosse) in an attempt to restore elderly Thunder's Voice to health, Ohkwa'ri realizes he must face those enemies on the playing field. Set in a Mohawk village in the late 1490s, the story offers a detailed look at the traditional Mohawk way of life. Through Ohkwa'ri and his twin sister, Otsi:stia, Bruchac explores the roles of men and women, teaching practices, family relationships, and social life and customs before contact with European explorers and traders. Although the information overshadows the story at times, middle readers interested in traditional practices will find this clear and easy to understand. An afterword describes the efforts of the Mohawk people to return to their traditional lands. A reading list and a glossary are appended. Karen Hutt

Customer Reviews

"Children of the Longhouse"- An Excellent Teaching Tool
I read "Children of the Longhouse" aloud to my fourth grade classes each year as a wonderful springboard to teach NYS Native American history in alignment with NYS Social Study Standards. The story-line holds the interest of the students and is packed with historical information and Native American customs and culture that the children are interested in and retain. It also peaks the students interest to investigate present Native American issues. Reading this book is a pleasant way to learn about a valuable topic.

An awesome book
Children of the Longhouse is a thrilling book about a Native American boy named Ohkwa're and his twin sister Otsi:stia. Ohkwa'ri overhears some boys planning to start a battle with the Anen:taks, a neighboring tribe. He told on them and saved his village from a war. Wanting revenge, the boys bully him and soon put his life in danger. You should read this book because it's exciting and I couldn't put it down when I started reading it. Also, I learned about the daily lives of the Mohawks. It was interesting how they played sports, how they used plants to make medicine and how they celebrated holidays. The end was suspenseful and I would recommend this book for kids to read.

Children of the Longhouse is a great historical fic book.
The Children of the Longhouse is a great historical fiction book by Joseph Bruchac. The Children of the Long house is about twins. The main two characters are the to twins they are boy girl twins. The boy loves love Tekwaarathon also known as lacrose. Even thuogh I;m only ten years old, my mom and I read children of the Longhouse together. my mom and I loved the book so I gave it 5 stars.