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The Game of Silence (The Birchbark House)

3.93 of 5 stars 3.93 · rating details · 351 ratings · 58 reviews

Her name is Omakayas, or Little Frog, because her first step was a hop, and she lives on an island in Lake Superior. One day in 1850, Omakayas′s island is visited by a group of mysterious people. From them, she learns that the chimookomanag, or white people, want Omakayas and her people to leave their island and move farther west.

That day, Omakayas realizes that something...more

ebook, 288 pages

Published March 17th 2009 by HarperCollins (first published April 26th 2005)

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Jan 06, 2011 Travis rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2009

This sequel to The Birchbark House spans another year in the life of Omakayas, two years after the events of the first book. While the first book mainly focused on everyday life and events throughout the year, with little hints of coming changes due to the encroaching white population, The Game of Silence places that struggle front and center, as the Anishinabeg try to figure out why the white men have gone back on their word to let the Anishinabeg stay where they are. There is still plenty of d...more

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Jul 30, 2012 Michael rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, historical-fiction, coming-of-age, native-american, young-adult

The enthralling, beguiling tale of the coming of age of an Ojibwe girl, Omakayas (Little Frog) in northern Minnesota in the 1850�s was a fine �read� by audiobook. It is a sequel to The Birchbark House. Though targeted to young adults, I found the portrayal of the rhythms of life in a tribal clan on an island in Lake Superior plenty satisfying enough to recommend to any adult reader. The girl telling the story is on a path of excellence in both crafts and snare-trapping and fishing, but is recogn...more

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Oct 17, 2010 Amanda H rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, forty-book-challenge

If you liked the "Birchbark House" you will enjoy the sequel, "The Game of Silence". It starts out extremely interseting again and this time it keeps your attention much better. Instead of explaining what they have to do in each season this book focuses on the adventures that "Little Frog" has. It helps if you remember the "Birchbark House" because she revisits some of the ceremonies that the first book explained in great detail.
There is also a kind of awkward romance going on between "Adelaid...more

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Feb 20, 2010 Ch_jank-caporale rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

Louise Erdrich and Zora Neale Hurston are two of my favorite authors. Both integrate cultural folk tale with their fiction. They tell stories that are rooted in the richness of their cultural heritage- not “race” stories. They are also very humorous and can make me laugh even in the midst of a story of pain and suffering. “The Silence Game” is the second book in a series begun with “The Birchbark House.” The books (so far there are three) are Erdrich’s answer to “The Little House on the Prairie”...more Louise Erdrich and Zora Neale Hurston are two of my favorite authors. Both integrate cultural folk tale with their fiction. They tell stories that are rooted in the richness of their cultural heritage- not “race” stories. They are also very humorous and can make me laugh even in the midst of a story of pain and suffering. “The Silence Game” is the second book in a series begun with “The Birchbark House.” The books (so far there are three) are Erdrich’s answer to “The Little House on the Prairie” series and vividly contradict the frontier representation of “Indians” as primitive or savage. Specifically, the “silent game” refers to a game the children play when the elders need them to be quiet. The winner is rewarded with a prize- a toy, a piece of clothing, or an edible treat. The losers earn adult disapproval and must live for a short time with their shame. Erdrich presents a convincing picture of life in 1852 and the cultural similarities and contrasts to what we know of settlers’ lives at that time are fascinating. She held my interest ‘til the end. One of my favorite parts is early in the book when Omakayas and the women of her village are cleaning fish and the dogs gather in a circle around the women, waiting anxiously to gobble the scraps. Dogs had to be loyal and obedient; they were so much a part of native community. Throughout the book, Erdrich successfully kindled the smells of cedar and smoke in the lodgehouse, and the hunger and cold of living on the land in winter. She compels me to want to throw snowballs and snow snakes with Omakayas and her brother, which in turn causes me to mourn the impending loss of the Ojibwe tribal lands.

I listened to this book on CD but was frustrated by the experience. First, the CD skips sometimes. Also, I couldn’t take it with me to class or to the Dr.’s office, though I suppose I could have if I’d had an Ipod or a Kindle. But even so, I couldn’t easily review an interesting part or re-read a section after I’d been interrupted, and I couldn’t highlight sections or use post its when I wanted to go back for further review. On the other hand, I could listen while drivng- for that purpose I love audio books- and I was able to get some sewing done while I listened in the house. Having my hands free to multi task was nice. I was also able to hear how to pronounce difficult and unfamiliar words- words spoken in the Ojibwe language and even the author’s name (I’ve always said “Er- drich,” like rich; the narrator pronounced it “Er-drick.” I have to assume she or the publishers consulted the author in order to say it correctly.) Unfortunately, without seeing the unfamiliar words, I have no idea how to spell them correctly. That said, the narrator did a wonderful job telling the story. She enacted multiple voices- male and female, old and young, Ojibwe and Wasichu (or “chimookomanag”- white people in Ojibwe) and I never confused who was speaking. Her pace was slow enough to understand easily but held my interest and compelled me to hasten each time I had to switch CD’s! I would certainly recommend this version to book listeners or for quiet group-reading time!
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Aug 05, 2012 Mrs. Trimble rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-teen-ya

This book is the sequel to The Birchbark House. Omakayas is an older, more experienced girl in this story with an ability to tell dreams. Her Native American people, the Ojibwa, are living on an island in Lake Superior. Her people are facing losing their land and their homes to the government. Even though this story takes place during the mid 1800’s, the readers are able to identify, and empathize, with the characters’ everyday way of life. The author is very descriptive of common, everyday even...more

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Jun 15, 2011 Ferris rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Audiobook............I listened to this story while in bed with a virus. Usually reading would be too much, but this book was just right! The story is a familiar one about the cultural upheaval of the Ojibway nation resulting from betrayal by the people who "come from where the sun rises". Louise Erdrich tells it so well that it is definitely worth a listen. The characters are endearing and varied, and the tales within the tale are universally applicable to any human beings life in terms of love...more

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Jul 08, 2009 Carolynne rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, indian

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Jul 14, 2010 Cv Rick rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: mainstream, historical-fiction

All of Louise Erdrich books are lyrically beautiful. This was no exception. The life of Ojibwa children at the point in their history where everything is changing for the people is both interesting and heart wrenching and no one writes it better. I loved all the details about the life, the games, the councils, and the structure of the people - how they came to decisions, how they taught their children to be adults, how they coped with joy and tragedy.

Another great book from a brilliant, beautif...more

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May 01, 2011 kari rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, 5-star, childrens-books

Another year in the life of Omakayas, this one somewhat bittersweet as the community awaits word of whether they'll be forced to leave their homes. It's heartwrenching as she thinks that this may be the last time they'll do this or that and you feel how connected they are to this place where they live, how difficult it will be for them to go.
There is a gentleness in the telling of these books that I really enjoy and the drawings add a lot.
As with the first, this would be a great read-aloud for y...more

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May 07, 2012 Vicki rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: teen

IN this sequel to the wonderful Birchbark House, Omakayas(Little Frog) is still at odds w/her younger brother Pinch-what a trouble maker! And she sorely misses her baby brother Neewo who died from the white man's sickness during the last winter. However bedraggled & a starving group of natives join their tribe after they have been chased out of their land by the white man. And this brings in the air a change, almost knowing by the Ojibwe tribe that they must move on too. Omakayas goes thru o...more

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Apr 13, 2009 Mary rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: history, children-youth

This is the second book in a series about Omakayas and her Ojibwe family written by one of my favorite authors, Louise Erdrich. Long a fan of her adult books about Native American life, I am thoroughly enjoying this middle grade series of historical fiction books. There may be 9 books by the time Ms. Erdrich is finished writing the story of Omakayas and I will anxiously await each one.
The story gives the reader the opportunity to learn some Ojibwe language, realize the importance of family, and...more

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Jun 16, 2010 Melody rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Melody by: A Bevy of Burtons

Shelves: burton-browbeating

I found it interesting that Erdrich came back to these people so many years later (in real time, I mean- The Birchbark House was written in 1999). I'm glad she did. I enjoyed this one perhaps more than the first- I think Erdrich does a fabulous job of showing how the changes come to the family without telling us a thing. It's all seen quite authentically through the eyes of Omaykayas, and the baggage I bring to what she sees is emphatically my own.

I love Omaykayas' family. Her interactions with...more

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Nov 25, 2007 Jennifer Barnes rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I very much enjoyed reading The Game of Silence, but I think it is important to consider that much of what is revealed (or not revealed) depends on the viewpoint of the person telling the story. It is certainly important to acknowledge Erdrich's Native American heritage and the importance of minority storytellers contributing to the "canon," for lack of a better word. But should we not also consider what does not get said? Except for Two Strike and Pinch, who are children and are therefore expec...more I very much enjoyed reading The Game of Silence, but I think it is important to consider that much of what is revealed (or not revealed) depends on the viewpoint of the person telling the story. It is certainly important to acknowledge Erdrich's Native American heritage and the importance of minority storytellers contributing to the "canon," for lack of a better word. But should we not also consider what does not get said? Except for Two Strike and Pinch, who are children and are therefore expected to misbehave on occasion, there are no Native American adults who behave less than nobly in the story. If we accept Erdrich's version of life among the Anishinabeg, everyone gets along, newcomers are always accepted with open arms, resources are always shared and distributed equally, and the white settlers (including the priest and Break-Apart Girl) are treated with nothing but kindness and even a winking acceptance of their "white" ways. Nokomis, Deydey, and Old Tallow are benevolent, loving leaders who nurture Omakayas and the other members of the community without strife or conflict. I felt this was somewhat unrealistic. Native Americans are human. That means they make mistakes and bad decisions, they are not always kind or unselfish, and they are not universally supportive and understanding parents. I say all of this to suggest that perhaps, in attempting to counteract the negative stereotypes contained in so many of the stories written about Native Americans, Erdrich went overboard in attempting to depict them positively, and in doing so sacrificed some of the realism necessary to effectuate acceptance and understanding by non-Native American readers.
The inclusion of Old Tallow, who acknowledges her inability to remain in a marital relationship but survives and thrives on her own, contributes to the message that girls are important and contribute to the community in significant ways. I also appreciated Erdrich's subtle inclusion of environmental issues, such as the importance of conserving natural resources and recycling available materials rather than throwing them away. These messages were subtle, and not "preachy," but were communicated in ways that younger readers can appreciate and understand.(less)

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Apr 19, 2007 Ms. Wayne added it · review of another edition

Shelves: nativeamericans

From the Publisher

Her name is Omakayas, or Little Frog, because her first step was a hop, and she lives on an island in Lake Superior. It is 1850 and the lives of the Ojibwe have returned to a familiar rhythm: they build their birchbark houses in the summer, go to the ricing camps in the fall to harvest and feast, and move to their cozy cedar log cabins near the town of LaPointe before the first snows.

Satisfying routines of Omakayas's days are interrupted by a surprise visit from a group of desp...more

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Apr 04, 2012 Zen Cho rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: childhood, family, historical, kidslit, written-by-poc

See review of The Porcupine Year. It has the same appeal as Little House on the Prairie in its description of processes and kids doing work in straightforward language -- I would've really loved those parts as a kid -- while being, obvs, less faily than Little House.

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May 17, 2013 Abby added it · review of another edition

This is historical fiction at its most spot-on. My anthropological heart delights in the details of life in historic Native America: the way they hunt, gather AND garden, the balance of work and play, the interactions between people in the town. The historical part is fantastic. As for the fiction part, I have two words for you: Louise Erdrich. Somehow it's both a perfect introduction to the realities of the 19th century and a companion to a kid's modern moving day blues. I'm taking a leaf from...more

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Jan 12, 2013 Sierra rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Although this book had some suspenseful moments and it was great to see how much all of the characters in the series are growing, there wasn't a strong, clear climax. There were several intense parts in the book, but they were brief and all of the same level of intensity. For the most part, this book seems to be a build up to the series finale, "The Porcupine Year." I am expecting that book to be infinitely better since this whole book has served as the rising action leading up to its climax.

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Mar 07, 2013 Dot rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: dot-s-booklist-2013

Erdrich writes for both adult and young person readers and this book is one aimed for teenagers. It is based on her own family history as a member of the Ojibwa nation and set in the 19th century. The book tells the stories of the young people living on an island and how they are trained in the age old ways of the tribe. This is a fascinating account and told in a way that informs and entertains

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Jan 08, 2012 Kristina Wojtaszek rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, native-american, favorites

There is a great sadness in this book, just as in the first. In the first, she looses a loved one, in the second, she looses her home. I felt my own sense of loss surfacing as I too have left my Michigan home of woods and water for a dry and barren home in the West.
These books are so engaging that you want to read through the entire lives of these characters! I hope she writes more!

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Feb 22, 2009 Margaret rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I have read other books by Erdrich, and I was not particularly impressed with this effort. There is usage of traditional language, and it explores a culture that has been largely exploited and destroyed. However, while that view is valuable I don't feel that her characters or story are compelling enough to pull the reader through the entire novel.

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Aug 30, 2011 April Lloyd rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I enjoyed it, and love that there were more traditional stories shared throughout, but this book did not get to me as much as the first in the series. Still, it is nice continuation of a great story and lovely characters. The description and incorporation of Ojibwa words, stories, and tradition are effortless and beautiful.

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Jan 22, 2013 Carol rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: childrens-youngadult

This sequel was even better than The Birchbark House which was outstanding! As the story ends the people of Omakayas' village are forced o leave their ancestral land and must pass through enemy territory on their way west. The Porcupine Year is next in the series.

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Jul 02, 2011 Rebecca Radnor rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: western-settlement, native-american, historical-fiction-ya

1 year in an NA girl's life: sub-plot about her tribe warned they're going to be relocated (doesn't happen during the book), not even a coming of age story. For me reading this book was a bit like watching Waiting for Godot, I kept wondering when something was going to happen, and finding it hard to stay focused. It was like unedited reality TV. While the author's notes includes a dictionary of native words, there is nothing back there about her research, her sources, etc. For all I know the lan...more

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May 05, 2012 Karenbike Patterson rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A good book for older children or young teens about the vanishing Ojibwe way of life on an island in Lake Superior. They are being moved west which was foretold in dreams by Omakayas. There are lots of interesting details about the Ojibwe culture.

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Aug 10, 2011 Josie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: american-indian-fiction, family, historical-fiction, kids, ojibwe

The continuing story of Omakayas and her family as they experience a season with removal by the US army hanging over their heads. A great second to The Birchbark House.

Audio book: well read with great voices and accent. It was difficult for me to follow the names and Ojibwe words, though, as I comprehend better when reading as opposed to hearing.

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Feb 11, 2012 sarah rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kids

I love this series! Erdrich says that she really becomes her characters to write from their viewpoint, and it's clear in these books. So richly researched, but the writing feels so comfortable at the same time. Can't wait to read more!

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Jan 19, 2013 Rainbow rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Wonderful continuation of the Birchbark House story. Tells how the family is forced off their land by the whites and how Omakayas gets the courage to go off in the woods waiting for a vision.

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Jan 14, 2013 Benji Martin rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book is even better than The Birchback House, which I thought was pretty good. I find myself getting attached to the characters, even the annoying ones. I'm jumping right nto the Porcupine Year!

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Mar 19, 2013 Scot rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Beautifully written story extremely well told. It's heartbreaking yet somehow hopeful. Loved it. Best if read with its prequel, The Birchbark House.

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Mar 03, 2009 Melanie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

It's a really good story but it was so long! For me, every once and a while I need the feeling of finishing a book. Not just keep reading and reading. But, as for the story, 5 stars!

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About Louise Erdrich

Karen Louise Erdrich is a American author of novels, poetry, and children's books. Her father is German American and mother is half Ojibwe and half French American. She is an enrolled member of the Anishinaabe nation (also known as Chippewa). She is widely acclaimed as one of the most significant Native writers of the second wave of what critic Kenneth Lincoln has called the Native American Renais...more Karen Louise Erdrich is a American author of novels, poetry, and children's books. Her father is German American and mother is half Ojibwe and half French American. She is an enrolled member of the Anishinaabe nation (also known as Chippewa). She is widely acclaimed as one of the most significant Native writers of the second wave of what critic Kenneth Lincoln has called the Native American Renaissance.

For more information, please see http://www.answers.com/topic/louise-e...

From a book description:

Author Biography:

Louise Erdrich is one of the most gifted, prolific, and challenging of contemporary Native American novelists. Born in 1954 in Little Falls, Minnesota, she grew up mostly in Wahpeton, North Dakota, where her parents taught at Bureau of Indian Affairs schools. Her fiction reflects aspects of her mixed heritage: German through her father, and French and Ojibwa through her mother. She worked at various jobs, such as hoeing sugar beets, farm work, waitressing, short order cooking, lifeguarding, and construction work, before becoming a writer. She attended the Johns Hopkins creative writing program and received fellowships at the McDowell Colony and the Yaddo Colony. After she was named writer-in-residence at Dartmouth, she married professor Michael Dorris and raised several children, some of them adopted. She and Michael became a picture-book husband-and-wife writing team, though they wrote only one truly collaborative novel, The Crown of Columbus (1991).

The Antelope Wife was published in 1998, not long after her separation from Michael and his subsequent suicide. Some reviewers believed they saw in The Antelope Wife the anguish Erdrich must have felt as her marriage crumbled, but she has stated that she is unconscious of having mirrored any real-life events.

She is the author of four previous bestselling andaward-winning novels, including Love Medicine; The Beet Queen; Tracks; and The Bingo Palace. She also has written two collections of poetry, Jacklight, and Baptism of Desire. Her fiction has been honored by the National Book Critics Circle (1984) and The Los Angeles Times (1985), and has been translated into fourteen languages.

Several of her short stories have been selected for O. Henry awards and for inclusion in the annual Best American Short Story anthologies. The Blue Jay's Dance, a memoir of motherhood, was her first nonfiction work, and her children's book, Grandmother's Pigeon, has been published by Hyperion Press. She lives in Minnesota with her children, who help her run a small independent bookstore called The Birchbark.

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