Janet Carruthers

First published in 1952 this is marvellously simple yet vivid narrative of the life of a Canadian half-breed Indian child ( I believe much of its storyline is based around the 'Ojibway' tribe) growing up in the Wilderness surrounded by a modernized, 'civilized' Canada. I first read this in 1960 as a small boy in deepest English Surrey farm land (!) - - those who know England will interpret for those that don't - - and the native words sprang off the page, e.g. Wa-wa, a goose, Ko-ko-ko, an owl, Cheebuy, a ghost... and so on, and the figurative joy of such things as the Snowshoe, a rabbit. If you're long in tooth and come across this book then read this as if You are again a young, open minded, easily imaginatively transported child whose singular knowledgeable experience is still, 'home is where the heart is,' and all will take shape. I'm unsure if Janet Carruthers wrote anything else, but this is a thoroughly worthwhile read for any boy or girl in the 9 to 13 age range.… (mehr)