Sally M. Hunter

I'm not a children's librarian, but all I can say is I don't feel any urge to buy this for my grandkids. The story is pretty short (30 pages including big pictures)yet the sentence structure & concepts are geared for older children--who would probably be bored by the story but might accept it as a social studies assignment. Basically portrays the 7th grader as just another kid, who loves soccer & does what's expected of him--which includes helping his grandparents plant & harvest a patch of corn. There is mention of the traditional of rotating plots of land to renew the soil between corn crops, so there is some ag science taught.… (mehr)

SUMMARY: This book gave the history of the Winnebago Native Americans celebrating the corn that they grew through telling the story of Russell, a twelve year old boy from present day. It goes back and forth between information and what Russell does to celebrate now with his family.

REVIEW: The central message is to inform and compare and contrast from the past to the present. I liked how it the book talked about Russell and how his family celebrates. The photographs helped further understanding. Also, had Hochunk words and translations.… (mehr)