The Warriors pb

SKU: 9781581960228

Author:
Joseph Bruchac
Grade Levels:
Five, Six, Seven, Eight
Nation:
Cayuga, Iroquois, Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Seneca, Tuscarora, Woodland
Book Type:
Paperback
Pages:
127
Publisher:
Carolrhoda Books, an imprint of Lerner Books
Copyright Date:
2003

Price:
Sale price$8.99

Description

The Warriors is an excellent novel by Abenaki author and storyteller Joseph Bruchac focused on the true meaning of Haudenosaunee lacrosse. In this contemporary story, Jake Forrest, a 12-year-old Haudenosaunee boy, tries to balance his traditional heritage in an urban setting. The story begins with Jake playing his favourite sport, lacrosse, in his home reservation community. Jake enjoys this team sport and has learned to appreciate the cultural teachings about lacrosse provided by his elders. Jake knows that the spiritual connection to the game is as important today as it was in the past. Unfortunately Jake's world changes when his mother takes a new job in Washington. As a single parent, her law career has improved but it takes her and Jake to a condo in Maryland. Jake has serious misgivings about moving and leaving friends, family, and lacrosse behind. Enrolled in a private boys' school and Jake learns that the school has a winning lacrosse team. Due to an increased workload, Jake's mother tells Jake that he must board at the school and so Jake's life takes another turn. He rooms with two foreign-born students from different religious and cultural backgrounds. Jake is continually challenged in the school and must face a teacher's bias against Indians and some of his teammates calling him "chief." Jake tries to fit in this new environment and turns to the stories of his uncle and grandfather for reassurance. His identity and values as an Iroquois person are contrasted with the values of the privileged students who attend the school. But lacrosse is the one thing that connects them and when tragedy strikes the lacrosse coach, Jake draws on the strength and teachings of his culture. The true meaning of lacrosse is presented in a culturally-appropriate situation and Jake finds the courage to take action. Bruchac has produced a well-balanced story that is fact-paced and successfully weaves Iroquoian cultural content into the storyline. Readers from a variety of backgrounds can identify with teenage issues and enjoy a sports story at the same time. Knowledgeable readers can find interesting lacrosse and Six Nations Iroquois cultural references throughout this realistic fiction novel. A hardcover edition is also available. Guided Reading: T; Lexile measure: 810L; ATOS Reading Level: 5.5; Reading Level: 4.8. Book discussion questions: http://www.teachpeacenow.org/bookwarriors.html

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