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kristenremenar's review
3.0
Interesting historical fiction. "At the beginning of the twentieth century, full two thirds of all Alaskan Natives perished from a pandemic of measles, smallpox, and influenza." Millie and Maura are two sisters, the only survivors of the Great Death from their village. This is the story of their journey. Good plot, and great setting, but the narrator kept "interrupting" with information that was good to know, but worded in such an outsider-instructional way that it pulled me out of the story:
"Because spruce tree roots do not go deep, they frequently rip out of the ground fully attached to their trunk when a tree falls, forming a semicircular wall of shallow roots entangled in thick soil, sometimes as tall as seven or eight feet." *humph*
"Because spruce tree roots do not go deep, they frequently rip out of the ground fully attached to their trunk when a tree falls, forming a semicircular wall of shallow roots entangled in thick soil, sometimes as tall as seven or eight feet." *humph*
mirable's review
3.0
SLJ review:
Grade 6–9—John Smelcer returns to the Alaskan wilderness he mined for The Trap (2006) with this short, historical tale (2009, both Holt) about two Native Alaskan sisters orphaned by an epidemic. When white men visit their small village, everyone becomes ill and dies, leaving 13-year-old Millie and 10-year-old Maura as the only survivors. With winter fast approaching, they decide to travel downstream in search of other people. Accompanied by two loyal village dogs, they make their way through the forest and encounter many treacherous obstacles. Although the situation is grim, the sisters' hopeful attitude and determination to survive make this an exciting listen. A bit predictable in parts, the simple, lyrical language enhances the stark beauty of the winter setting. Narrator Lorna Raver doesn't differentiate much between the sisters' voices, but her cadence and delivery are perfectly paced for the story. Smelcer doesn't fare as well with his chapter headings, which sound as if they were recorded in an echo chamber and are distracting. An introduction, also read by the author, rounds out the recording. The authentic details of survival in the winter wilderness are fascinating and should draw in reluctant readers.—Charli Osborne, Oxford Public Library, Oxford, MI
Grade 6–9—John Smelcer returns to the Alaskan wilderness he mined for The Trap (2006) with this short, historical tale (2009, both Holt) about two Native Alaskan sisters orphaned by an epidemic. When white men visit their small village, everyone becomes ill and dies, leaving 13-year-old Millie and 10-year-old Maura as the only survivors. With winter fast approaching, they decide to travel downstream in search of other people. Accompanied by two loyal village dogs, they make their way through the forest and encounter many treacherous obstacles. Although the situation is grim, the sisters' hopeful attitude and determination to survive make this an exciting listen. A bit predictable in parts, the simple, lyrical language enhances the stark beauty of the winter setting. Narrator Lorna Raver doesn't differentiate much between the sisters' voices, but her cadence and delivery are perfectly paced for the story. Smelcer doesn't fare as well with his chapter headings, which sound as if they were recorded in an echo chamber and are distracting. An introduction, also read by the author, rounds out the recording. The authentic details of survival in the winter wilderness are fascinating and should draw in reluctant readers.—Charli Osborne, Oxford Public Library, Oxford, MI
librariann's review
4.0
Ages 10+ (an attempted rape, but the attack is not explicit)
A simple yet effective story of two Alaskan sisters who survive a smallpox epidemic that kills every other person in their native village. Desperate to find other survivors, the girls travel downriver as winter takes hold. Good for reluctant or hi/lo readers.
A simple yet effective story of two Alaskan sisters who survive a smallpox epidemic that kills every other person in their native village. Desperate to find other survivors, the girls travel downriver as winter takes hold. Good for reluctant or hi/lo readers.
kukushka's review
5.0
This would work well as a middle grade book, or enjoyable as an adult reader.
Though not particularly graphic, the subject matter is obviously rather horrific. The scenes near the beginning of the dying/dead village were particularly difficult.
I really liked the two girls and their changing relationship, and the writing style has a very "storyteller" feel to it (it reads almost as though I was being told the story out loud). There's a lot of emotional punch for such a short story.
Though not particularly graphic, the subject matter is obviously rather horrific. The scenes near the beginning of the dying/dead village were particularly difficult.
I really liked the two girls and their changing relationship, and the writing style has a very "storyteller" feel to it (it reads almost as though I was being told the story out loud). There's a lot of emotional punch for such a short story.
luaucow's review
3.0
The storyline was interesting, but I listened to this one and I really thought the grandmotherly voiced narrator detracted from this audiobook. It would have had more teen appeal if an age-appropriate narrator performed it.
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