CHICKADEE

Chickadee

a. Bibliographic Data: Erdrich, Louise. CHICKADEE. Ill. By Louise Erdrich. HarperCollins, 2012. ISBN 9780060577926.

b. Plot Summary:

            In the latest House series book by Louise Erdrich, we are introduced to two brothers, living in the year of 1866, twins Chickadee and Makoons. These precarious and vigorously active twins portray a relationship between siblings that readers may find admirable. Both twins are very drawn to each other, but their energetic lifestyle leads them into an unexpected situation where Chickadee is taken away from his brother and the rest of his family to be made a servant. Find out how Chickadee and his family cope with this tragedy and the triumphs and tribulations that they encounter on their journey to being reunited as a family again!

c. Critical Analysis:

            Brothers Chickadee and Makoons are inseparable twins who can relate to the readers in many ways. These brothers are just like any other 8 year old; active, playful, and all around captivated by the things around them. Early on in the story, the boys are drastically separated when Chickadee is kidnapped due to a prank gone wrong. This book revolves around the life of Chickadee, evolving into a more mature version of himself as he faces trials and triumphs through his journey to reunite with his family once again.

            Due to his kidnapping, his family moves from the woods to an unfamiliar territory known as the Great Plains. This is uncharacteristic of many Native American stories, because instead of staying in their comfortable area, this family becomes the master of their own fate and moves far off just to search for their lost Chickadee. Louise Erdrich supplies rich cultural meaning from the very start, giving insight into the family dynamic of this tight-knit, Native American family.

            The setting is always described with great detail, whether they are in the woods or they are in the Great Plains. The author is able to give descriptions of the surroundings in a way that captivates her audience and makes her readers feel like they are there in the story. The descriptions are especially vivid when Chickadee finds himself alone in the forest, cold, thirsty, and lonely. Erdrich adds the presence of the spirit world and does a wonderful job of blending this with reality. As Chickadee continues through the forest, he finds a helper: his namesake. “The little gray bird with the jaunty black cap” teaches Chickadee a song to provide him with continuous strength to make it through these rough times.

“I am only the Chickadee

Yet small things have great power

I speak the truth.”

This pivotal moment shared between Chickadee and the chickadee lays a solid foundation for one of the many themes of the book, which entails doing great things despite ones size. Chickadees journey reflects this theme often, never giving up despite how high the odds are against him reuniting with his family.

            Erdrich’s style mixes humor and suspense all into one scene, tugging at the reader’s emotions through hardships and triumphs. This is a great story to use for introducing historical fiction, especially to boys who are curious about survival and brotherhood. Erdrich uses the name and truths of a real tribe that still has reservations today in North America: The Ojibwe tribe. To help the readers understand the many difficult words and phrases, she includes a glossary and pronunciation guide in the back of the book. Although this book is one of four in a series of books, it is still a strong read on its own.

d. Reviews:

“A beautifully evolving story of an indigenous American family. ”  -Kirkus Reviews

“Erdrich’s storytelling is masterful. Readers will be more than happy to welcome little Chickadee into their hearts.” -School Library Journal

“Readers will absorb the history lesson almost by osmosis; their full attention will be riveted on the story. Every detail anticipates readers’ interest.” -The Horn Book

“In the fourth book in Erdrich’s award-winning Birchbark House series, the focus moves to a new generation. As always, the focus is on the way-of-life details as much as the adventure. Most affecting are the descriptions of Makoons’ loneliness without his brother.” -ALA Booklist

“The pleasures of reading the series are not unlike those of reading Laura Ingalls Wilder: Discovering an earlier time in our country through stories of the daily lives of children.” -Newsday

GLOWING PRAISE FOR THE BIRCHBARK HOUSE SERIES:“Based on Erdrich’s own family history, the mischievous celebration will move readers, and so will the anger and sadness. What is left unspoken is as powerful as the story told.” -Booklist

“[A] lyrical narrative. Readers will want to follow this family for many seasons to come.” -Publishers Weekly

“Readers who loved Omakayas and her family in The Birchbark House (1999) have ample reason to rejoice in this beautifully contstructed sequel … Hard not to hope for what comes next for this radiant nine-year old.” -Kirkus Reviews

“Erdrich’s charming pencil drawings interspersed throughout and her glossary of Ojibwe terms round out a beautiful offering.” -School Library Journal

“Erdrich’s gifts are many, and she has given readers another tale full of rich details of 1850’s Ojibwe life, complicated supporting characters, and all the joys and challenges of a girl becoming a woman.” -Horn Book

“Why has no one written this story before?” -ALA Booklist

“The Birchbark House establishes its own ground, in the vicinity of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House books.” -New York Times

“Erdrich’s captivating tale of four seasons portrays a deep appreciation of our environment, our history, and our Native American sisters and brothers.” -School Library Journal

Awards/ Honors

Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction

Horn Book Fanfare 2012

e. Connections:

This book could be used as a historical lesson about:

• ·      Ojibwe 
• ·      Westward expansion
• ·      1800s United States and Canadian history
• ·      Survival in the woods
• ·      Family bonds
• ·      Transportation
• ·      Chickadees, etc.

This fourth book could be compared to the first three books in the Birchbark House book series by Erdrich.

Students could watch interviews given about/by the author to understand her reasoning for writing this book and to see her connection with the books and her real life.

Have the students create their own namesake and a song that would be sung for them.