SLJ Staff
August 10, 2010
Alaska--with 586, 412 square miles--is about one-fifth the size of the lower 48 states and closer to Russia than to any state. Life in Alaska may seem exotic and often it is, with many native populations living in traditional ways and in remote villages. The stories included on this list touch on several of these cultures, bringing readers to a closer understanding of life in the 49th state, now and in the past.
EDWARDSON, Debby Dahl. Blessing's Bead. Farrar. 2009. Tr. $16.99. ISBN 978-0-374-30805-6.
Gr 7-Up Blessing's life in Anchorage seems far removed from that of her relatives living in the Arctic Circle, but when life with her alcoholic mother and abusive boyfriends erupts, she heads straight to her grandmother and her Iñnupiaq past. She grows in wonder and knowledge of her heritage guided by the gentle hands and hearts of her family and the deeply rooted traditions of the village. Beautifully written, historically accurate, Edwardson has created a wonderful coming of age story set in a unique locale and culture.
FROST, Helen. Diamond Willow. Farrar. 2008. Tr. $16.00. ISBN 978-0-374-31776-8.
Gr 5-8 The unique prose style of this title, told partly in diamond shaped poems, will grab reluctant readers and delight young authors looking for ideas to enhance their own writing. The story revolves around 12-year-old Willow who lives in a tiny town deep in Alaska's interior and loves her dogs, it seems, more than she loves her people. With just enough conflict to keep it suspenseful and more than a touch of magic realism, this tale will appeal to dog-lovers and fantasy fans alike.
JORDAN-FENTON, Christy and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton. Fatty Legs: a True Story. Illus. byLiz Amini-Holmes. Annick Press. 2010. Tr. $21.95. ISBN 978-1-55451-247-8; pap. $12.95. ISBN 978-1-55451-246-1.
Gr 4-8 This is the true story of the challenges that met eight-year-old Margaret after she left her home in the Arctic Circle to attend a residential school to learn how to read. Though both her father and older half-sister warn her of the cruelties that await, she insists on going, and within hours of arriving, she begins to understand their concerns. One nun in particular, nicknamed the Raven, forces Margaret to wear red wool stockings, which elicit taunts from the other students who call her "Fatty Legs." With the help of an ally and some quick thinking, Margaret bests the Raven. Readers can hear a podcast featuring the author and her mother at the Annick Press website.
SMELCER, John. The Trap. Holt. 2006. Tr. $15.95. ISBN 978-0-8050-7939-5; PLB
$16.99. ISBN 978-1-4395-5047-2; pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-0-312-37755-7.
Gr 5-9 Johnny Least-Weasel walks a respectful but uneasy line with his grandfather. The old man sets out to check his traps, always insisting that he do it alone, and this time, something goes terribly wrong. In the village, Johnny goes back and forth, worry about his grandfather in one breath and cursing him in the next. When he can stand it no longer, Johnny begins the search, which results in monumental gains and losses.
This is a nice list. I would hasten to add to this list the works of the highly praised Alaskan author, Kirkpatrick Hill, specifically those books that explore the Athabascan aspect of Alaskan culture -- TOUGHBOY AND SISTER; WINTER CAMP; and THE YEAR OF MISS AGNES. Another of Hill's books for young readers, DANCING AT THE ODINOCHKA, explores what Alaska was like for its families when the land was owned by Russia, prior to US ownership.
Posted by Emma Dryden, drydenbks on August 10, 2010 02:21:04PM
Thank you so much for adding FATTY LEGS to the list!
Posted by Christy Jordan-Fenton on August 12, 2010 11:24:03AM
I'm so pleased that FATTY LEGS is on this list. The voice is wonderful and authentic, and the book is beautifully produced with added illustrations throughout.
Posted by Monica Kulling on August 12, 2010 01:40:50PM
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