THE PORCUPINE YEAR

Christina Moore takes over the narration in the continuing story of Omakayas, now 14, and her Ojibwa family. It’s 1852, and Omakayas and her family have been forced by the chimookoman (white people) to leave their beloved homeland in Wisconsin. They encounter many dangers as they travel long distances to meet up with other members of their tribe. Moore's richly textured voice is reminiscent of that of a Native American storyteller. She masterfully navigates the story of the family's hardships and effortlessly pronounces the Ojibwa words interspersed throughout the text. Though tinged with sadness, Erdrich’s Birchbark House series is a fine addition to historical fiction for its accurate portrayal of Native American life. L.A.C. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2009]