Book review: Makoons
Reviewed by Karl Hele
Makoons is the fifth and the sequel to Chickadee, part of the Erdrich’s Birchbark House Series. Like the previous four novels, it explores a changing Anishinaabeg world through the eyes of children.
The book begins at the moment Makoons’ brother Chickadee arrives at the family home in Pembina. The arrival of his twin spurs Makoons on a healing path, but not before he has a dark vision of being unable to save his entire family from oncoming disasters. Makoons learns to ride a buffalo horse, as does Chickadee falteringly. They learn to hunt, track, and other skills needed to become men. The excitement of the buffalo hunt is tangibly felt through Erdrich’s words, albeit the twins do not participate in the hunting yet.
In another instance, the boys learn to speak the language of the buffalo to call them close to the hunters. Despite the excitement and hilarity at times, there is a sadness within the book – drawing from the vision in the first chapters. Nokomis passes, but not before teaching her daughter Omakayas, and the family, all that she can. As the family’s story ends in Pembina, a new story is set to begin at the end of the novel when all have moved to the Turtle Mountains.
Makoons also contains lessons in culture and history. For example, a vain boastful man named, Gichi Noodin, who violates the rules of the bison hunt, thereby endangering the lives of all participating, is banished from the community. Before Gichi Noodin is banished; however, he provides lessons in how not to behave and becomes a joke in the community as its members try to restrain his poor behaviour. Makoons’ journey also offers lessons in respecting Elders, family, and respecting all living beings.
Hopefully, Erdrich will publish another novel in this popular youth series. The book ends at the start of a new story— that of the family adapting to a changing life in the Turtle Mountains. Here, a changed Gichi Noodin returns and he becomes a possible love interest for Two-Strikes’ daughter, Zozie.
Worries about advancing Settlers again comes to the fore. Makoons and Chickadee are yet to participate as hunters in the buffalo hunt for both are still young teens. Hence, a new novel following the family in the Turtle Mountains would be greatly welcomed. Regardless, Makoons is an excellent story and a fantastic read.
Louise Erdirch, Makoons. New York: Harper Collins Children’s Books, 2016.
ISBN: 0060577932