Game of Silence, The

Title: The Game of Silence
Author: Louise Erdrich
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins (June 13, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780064410298
ISBN-13: 978-0064410298

Synopsis: "The Game of Silence" tells the story of the Ojibwe living on Lake Superior in the 1850s. One day, "Little Frog" (Omakayas in the native tongue) sees six dots on the horizon out on Lake Superior. Six canoes full of refugees from other Ojibwe camps come to tell a shocking story - the White People are breaking their word and forcing the Ojibwe to leave the lands the White People promised they could keep and to move to a reservation far away. The book tells the story of what happens to the tribe through the long winter as they try to get more information and decide what they must do about the White Man's breaking of his word.

Review: I really enjoyed this book, though it was so heartbreaking to me knowing the history around this and knowing already what happened to so many Native Americans during this period. There are many passages in this book that are funny, some are heartbreakingly sad and others made me so angry I wanted to hit someone. With rich characterization, factual information about the time period and historical events, Erdrich weaves a compelling tale about strength, loss and growing up.


Awards/Reviews:

- Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction
- Kirkus Editor's Choice
- Horn Book Fanfare
- ALA Notable Children's Book
- ALA Booklist Editor's Choice
- New York Times Notable Book
- Parenting Magazine Book of the Year

"Memorable." - Chicago Tribune

"Full of humor, richness and heart." - Wisconsin State Journal
"This meticulously researched novel offers an even balence of joyful and sorrowful moments while conveying a perspective of America’s past that is rarely found in history books." - Publishers Weekly

"Erdrich’s captivating tale of four seasons portrays a deep appreciation of our environment, our history, and our Native American sisters and brothers." - School Library Journal

Connections:

In the story, there is a Catholic priest who works to develop a written version of the Ojibwe language. On the overhead projector ported to the laptop, go to http://www.omniglot.com/writing/ojibwa.htm and learn more about the real-life missionary who was the basis of this character, as well as see written Ojibwe language.

With computer and overhead still ported, go to http://www.tpt.org/?a=productions&id=3 to learn about Native Americans racing against the clock to save the Ojibwe language from being lost forever. After reading and studying the information about lost languages, watch the television program (on the same link) about the people fighting to keep this language from being lost.