Reading Metrics
Description
In a Mohawk village in the late 1400s, eleven-year-old Ohkwa'ri and his twin sister report a planned raid to the elders, drawing the anger of a group of older boys. As the village gathers for the traditional Tekwaarathon lacrosse game, the tension between Ohkwa'ri's belief in peace and the boys' hostility intensifies. The story offers a vivid look at Native American life centuries ago while showing how one young hero tries to protect his community.
Quick Summary
When Ohkwa'ri, an eleven-year-old Mohawk boy, and his twin sister see their village turned upside down by a rowdy gang of older boys, they decide to tackle the problem themselves instead of waiting for the adults to step in. Bruchac fills the story with the day-to-day life of a late-1400s longhouse food, games, chores so you get a vivid, living picture of Haudenosaunee culture rather than a dry history lesson. There's plenty of humor woven through the kids' clever schemes, but the tension of dealing with a hostile crowd gives the book a heart-pounding edge that keeps the pages turning. Parents will appreciate that the conflict is handled with wit and teamwork instead of graphic violence, and the twins' partnership shows how cooperation can turn enemies into friends. If you liked *The Birchbark House* or *The Sign of the Beaver* stories that drop you into a Native American world you'll find this one just as easy to dive into.