Comments on Sarah Laurence Blog: Thanksgiving Book: The Birchbark House by Louise E...

Rose and Donna, my daughter was very pleased to re...

2009-12-12T17:47:26.885-05:00

Rose and Donna, my daughter was very pleased to read your comments. Thank you!

JAPRA, thank you from both of us! It’s a little chilly out in the tree house now.

Sorry to be so late in responding – we had a wonderful Thanksgiving in NYC. Then we went to Boston. Now it's Hanukkah followed by Christmas. I won't catch before New Year so it's time for a blog break.

Wow, this sounds fantastic! I like how you includ...

2009-12-03T18:13:14.785-05:00

Wow, this sounds fantastic!
I like how you included your daugher's review too.

I love your daughter's book reviews as much as you...

2009-12-01T06:16:29.330-05:00

I love your daughter's book reviews as much as yours!

And I still envy you all your tree house :-)

Hope you and your family enjoyed a lovely Thanksgiving, Sarah.

Your daughter wrote a fantastic review; I agree wi...

2009-11-29T10:13:33.422-05:00

Your daughter wrote a fantastic review; I agree with David's comment that she writes better than many older writers. This sounds like a wonderful book for middle schoolers. Unfortunately, it probably won't go on my Christmas list, only because one granddaughter is too old and one too young to read this yet.

ACIL, yes, I totally understand a publisher’s relu...

2009-11-29T10:09:12.185-05:00

ACIL, yes, I totally understand a publisher’s reluctance to take risks in this economic climate. I brought that point up to balance Zadie Smith’s criticism of authors who write to fit a pre-existing niche. I’m very much enjoying the series on your blog.

Thanks for your latest comment on my blog, Sarah, ...

2009-11-29T06:39:28.158-05:00

Thanks for your latest comment on my blog, Sarah, and you're never late, you're always welcome.

The questions you asked are the same question I pose and I agree with you wholeheartedley when you refer to publishers not taking chances very often. But in the current climate who wants to take the plunge and what would the financial implications be?

Your daughter's decision to read 'To Kill a Mockingbird' is perfectly understandable and wise. Too much analysis kills the thirst for literature.

Thanks for your feedback.

Greetings from London.

FINDING THE BIRCHBARK HOUSE & THE NEXT 2 BOOKS IN ...

2009-11-27T13:13:02.439-05:00

FINDING THE BIRCHBARK HOUSE & THE NEXT 2 BOOKS IN THE SERIES

All, I should qualify my response to Alyson about this book’s availability. I have seen The Birchbark House at independent bookstores, but it was not stocked at a large Barnes & Noble. It was published in 2002 and is still in print so available through Amazon if you can’t find it at your local bookstore. The next 2 books in the series are: The Game of Silence (2006) and The Porcupine Year (2008). I haven’t read them yet, but the second one won a prize.

ACIL, sorry, I missed replying to your comment, an...

2009-11-27T10:47:38.475-05:00

ACIL, sorry, I missed replying to your comment, and it was such a delightful comment. My daughter likes to play with words as much as I enjoy irony. I'm saving a visit to your blog for when I have time to focus on the essay. Busy family time right now.

David, my daughter was very pleased to read your c...

2009-11-27T10:37:32.668-05:00

David, my daughter was very pleased to read your comment, thanks!

Alyson, that’s so cool that you have ancestors from both sides of the table. I’ve seen this book in most bookstores and libraries in the children’s section. It is still in print even though it was published about 10 years ago. I’d love to hear what your family thinks of it.

MS, your son is the right age for it. It’s slightly more of a girl’s book, but like the Little House books, it should appeal to all genders and ages. Happy Thanksgiving to you too!

Tracy, I’m sure you’ll enjoy sharing this book with your daughter too. Happy Thanksgiving to your family!

Cid, as another Erdrich fan, I’m sure you’ll love this book.

Tina, yes, my daughter and I do like talking books. We did have a great Thanksgiving, thanks.

Petra, welcome to my blog all the way from the Czech Republic! Both of my kids are readers, but my daughter is more into reading and writing for fun. It’s sounds like your son has a lively imagination and lots of energy. He might like the Percy Jackson series, which have non-stop action and a page-turner plot.

Bee, your younger daughter would love this book, as would you. It’s the perfect complement to the Wilder series and so much fun to share. I’d love to hear your reaction.

Sapphire, that’s so nice to hear. Enjoy!

Lakeviewer, flawless taste for a flawless book.

Troutbirder, I could see how this book would be perfect for your combined class. I’ve been so impressed by the quality of the writing for tweens and teens too. That’s a big part of the reason why I wrote a novel for young adults myself.

Phoenix, yes, my daughter thinks very carefully about the books she reads. I love when she finds the time to add to my reviews. Happy Thanksgiving to you too!

Barrie, The Birchbark House sounds like a good match for your sister, especially if she has kids too. My daughter was pleased to read your comment. When she grows up, she wants to join you on the bookshelf.

Pamela, Happy Thanksgiving to you, the songwriter and Edward too!

Thanks so much for another wonderful suggestion! ...

2009-11-27T03:47:34.279-05:00

Thanks so much for another wonderful suggestion! And all the best of wishes for a most Happy Thanksgiving!!

Great review by your daughter! One of my sisters i...

2009-11-26T03:47:38.197-05:00

Great review by your daughter! One of my sisters is a HUGE Laura Ingall's fan. I must get her this book to even the scales. And she just happens to have a birthday coming up...

A very nice review. I am pleasantly surprised at y...

2009-11-26T00:19:57.297-05:00

A very nice review. I am pleasantly surprised at your daughter's comprehensive review. Thank you for sharing with us.
And, wish you and family a very happy thanksgiving!

Kudos to you daughter for a very nice review. When...

2009-11-25T19:42:36.736-05:00

Kudos to you daughter for a very nice review. When I moved to the Middle School for a change of pace, my English teacher copartner and I combined that subject and American History into a Humanities type course for 8th graders. This book was exactly the kind we looked for to combine with the history themes. I thought then and still do that adolescent fiction was becoming much better than much of our "adult" fiction.

Good selection. Thank you, and thank your daughter...

2009-11-25T19:35:57.842-05:00

Good selection. Thank you, and thank your daughter for such flawless taste.

Hello Sarah Thanks for this lovely review! Your d...

2009-11-25T19:21:26.028-05:00

Hello Sarah

Thanks for this lovely review! Your daughter's is lovely too!
I enjoyed reading your previous review on "The Little House" very much. I'm going to read the both books. Happy Thanksgiving to you!

My 11 year old and I have been reading Farmer Boy ...

2009-11-25T18:24:17.453-05:00

My 11 year old and I have been reading Farmer Boy -- the childhood story of Almanzo Wilder. I think that we should read this one next! VERY persuasive recommendation from you -- and your equally talented daughter.

Hello Sarah, Your daughter writes that "the book w...

2009-11-25T16:02:49.542-05:00

Hello Sarah,
Your daughter writes that "the book was easily read, as I am twelve, and I read more difficult, complex books..." and I can't help compare my son with her. He is twelve too but except reading some books he found intriguing he has prefered "inventing" various games to reading. He started to attend a library some time ago and I hope that reading will speak to him more urgently in the future... :-)

Great review from your daughter. A chip off the ol...

2009-11-25T10:17:16.403-05:00

Great review from your daughter. A chip off the ole block. You all have a great Thanksgiving.

I loved the review but there were two moments wher...

2009-11-25T10:05:29.132-05:00

I loved the review but there were two moments where I just had to stop and giggle internally.

'The Colonists repaid the Natives with smallpox.'

To me irony, when well placed, is priceless. Thanks for that little gem.

You daughter's use of the word 'whimsical' was amazing. I can see dad and mum's literary influence there already.

Loved this post. We don't get to hear 'the other side' very often, so it is a much welcomed review.

Greetings from London.

Wonderful review both of you. I have always enjoye...

2009-11-25T10:04:05.025-05:00

Wonderful review both of you. I have always enjoyed Louise Erdich and have reread The Blue Jay's Dance many times since my children were born. I will be on the look out for this one for my 11 year old.

Sarah Please tell your daughter she did a great r...

2009-11-25T09:20:14.157-05:00

Sarah

Please tell your daughter she did a great review! I will be buying this book for my daughter--I know it will be a good book for her.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and to your family!

Best
Tracy :)

Thanks for this wonderful book recommendation. I'...

2009-11-25T09:05:21.590-05:00

Thanks for this wonderful book recommendation. I'm getting it for my son. I loved your daughter's review. Happy Thanksgiving to you!

Thanks for recommending this book. You rarely see...

2009-11-25T09:04:08.127-05:00

Thanks for recommending this book. You rarely see a book from the other perspective. I am decended from both the Mayflower pilgrams and the Native Americans that shared that Thanksgiving meal. I'd love to read a book like this and to have my children read it too. Is this available at most bookstores?

She may be twelve but she writes better reviews th...

2009-11-25T08:38:23.365-05:00

She may be twelve but she writes better reviews than someone twice her age. The Birchbark House is added to my list of books to be on the lookout for. Thank you.