The Birchbark House

The Birchbark House is a great book. It is about an Indian girl named Omakayas. She was found and adopted by her new family. All the people in the village where she lived died of smallpox. Omakayas does not know that she was adopted. Her new family takes good care of her and treats her like their own daughter. Then Omakayas' family gets sick with smallpox, after a person who was infected with the disease was brought to the village and burned. Luckily, Omakayas doesn't get the disease. To find out if her family recovers from the disease you will have to read the book.

This book was very interesting. I really enjoyed reading it. I especially liked the book because there was no magic in the book. This story can actually happen in real life and at that time. I found many interesting characters like Omakayas. She is very playful and caring. I especially like when Omakayas helped a little bird that hurt its wing. I liked what she did because I am a bird lover. This book is unique because when you read it because you feel like you are in the story. You won't want to put it down.

I recommend this book to students in the 4th grade or older. It might be a little difficult for a 3rd grader. I also think that students who like to read about history and Indians would like to read this book. It is a good story with Indian facts in it.