The Humpherys Family

Ojibway Drums

Record Added: 11/9/2010
Author 
Illustrator 
Setting United States
Topic History: American Indians
Publisher Longmans, Green, Co.
ISBN B0007DUTI8   Year 1955
Age 9-12   Pages 146
Description Printed dustjacket
 
A timeless classic book about the native people of the Great Lakes. Ojibway Drums is a coming-of-age story involving Chief Crashing Thunder's twelve-year-old son Half Sky and his best friend Big Face. We see Half Sky seeking his manito or guardian spirit, which turned out to be a hummingbird. He was required to compose a song about his manito and to perform it at the Great Feast in his honor.

The author paints a detailed picture of life in an Ojibway village centuries ago, and we learn about their customs, food, homes, activities, and rituals. There are no white men in the story, and the only battles are with the Iroquois. The author treats her characters with great respect, and she shows us their love of family and nature and their religious beliefs.