Marven of the Great North Woods

by Kathryn Lasky, Kevin Hawkes (Illustrator)

When the great influenza epidemic strikes Duluth, Minnesota, in 1918, Marven’s parents know they must send their son far away to keep him safe from the disease. So the ten-year-old boards a train headed for a logging camp, not knowing if he will ever see his family again. In the great north woods, Marven finds a new world of towering trees, endless expanses of snow, and lumberjacks as big as grizzly bears. He feels very alone among the enormous woodsmen--until he meets Jean-Louis, the burliest jack of all, and they become fast friends.

Genres: Picture Books, History, Childrens, Jewish, Nonfiction, The United States Of America, Friendship

48 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Kathryn Lasky, also known as Kathryn Lasky Knight and E. L. Swann, is an award-winning American author of over one hundred books for children and adults. Best known for the Guardians of Ga’Hoole series, her work has been translated into 19 languages and includes historical fiction, fantasy, and nonfiction.

Reviews

[Luisa Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story about a Jewish boy who is sent to a logging camp in Minnesota to escape the influenza. He does the accounting for the camp and has to wake up the men in the mornings. He goes out to ski some days after work … and is that a grizzly in the trees?

A good winter story based on the author’s grandfather.

Ages: 4 - 9
Note: parents, this book is longer than most picture books.

Content Considerations: nothing to note.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend!! I loved the northern Minnesota setting and the true story behind the book!!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great youth story of courage of young boy, and the capacity for boys to be productive and helpful and brave earlier than many might think today.

[Alicia Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful picture book. It is a bit long, so I'd recommend for ages 5 and up. But it succeeds in a tough genre for children's books - period non-fiction.

It's a story of a 10-year-old, Marven, who is sent away from his family during the flu epidemic of 1918. He leaves Duluth and goes to a logging camp in Northern Minnesota. The language, imagery, and illustrations are perfect for creating a sense of isolation and anxiety and yet portray the heartiness and fortitude of this generation. I immediately thought of how different things are today as parents commonly do not allow their kids to wait at the bus stop or play unsupervised at a park. You cannot help but feel the strain upon this boy and his family to separate for months with essentially no contact. And yet the story is not all anxiety, but also change and thrill of new experiences.

Reading this provided an opportunity for good discussion about a variety of topics that didn't seem forced - why the son was sent away and not the daughters, what it means to keep kosher, the flu epidemic of 1918, the pogroms in the Russian empire, and of course the technological advancements over the last hundred years which allow for families to stay in contact with ease. This one is really a perfect example of an enriching experience when reading with your children. I love when portraying facts elicits feelings, rather than overt emotionality to browbeat you into obligatory sentiment. What a good read.

[Valerie Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the true story of a ten year old Jewish boy who had to be separated from his family at the time of the 1918 influenza epidemic. So that he would not catch influenza, his parents sent him to live at a logging camp. Marven is in charge of all the payroll for the loggers. Marven is alone, away from his family, placed in the midst of a group of men so different from his family. Marven, being a Jew, cannot eat the full meal placed in front of him. Marven does not speak French, the language spoken at the camp. Thankfully Jean Louis, a grizzly-sized man, befriends him. The books shares the story of Marven's life during this time period.

Marven of the Great North Woods would be a great historical fiction book to read with upper elementary or middle school students. It shares the fears the family went through living at the time of the 1918 influenza epidemic. The family could send their son away to keep him safe, but their daughters could not travel away since they were girls. I would use the book to give a window into one family's experience. The book deals with the epidemic, but it also touches on the fact that the family was immigrants. They escaped Russia and came to America speaking no English. There are several historical events which could be studied using this book.

[Lady reading under the Willow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a neat account! I *love* that the author is telling her father's story! We really enjoyed this book.

The only thing that would have made it better is if there had been included a glossary of French terms. For the most part, the context was helpful, so we understood the words, in a way, but I am such a literal-translation sort of person that I always like to know exactly what the unfamiliar phrases are saying. Frankly, I wish every book that scatters foreign words throughout its text would include a glossary. I dislike having to go look stuff up on the internet. Haha!

[Karina Venable · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful story of a 10 year old boy spending a winter at a logging camp! My sons (ages 8 and 6) and I laughed a lot through this one. This is a beautifully written story that shows readers an example of a boy practicing courage and integrity while away from home. There is also a heart-warming friendship that inspires adults to love and encourage the youth around us.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a children's book about the 1918 influenza epidemic that swept through the US. It is a true story of a 10 year old son of Russian immigrants who was sent away from Duluth to a logging camp in the north woods to escape the epidemic. Liked the courage shown and the relevance to the current situation. Would be for kids in 1st-5th grades perhaps.

[Doug Glenning · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good quality picture book based on a real life event of that of the author's father as his family escaped the persecution of Russian Jews in Tsarist Russia during the early 1900s.

Most of the book takes place in 1918 when a flu pandemic swept the nation and Marven was sent off to the North Woods in a French Canadian Logging Camp in hopes me might survive.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect children’s story to read on a frosty cold day in January; the story of the author’s father as a child, sent from his home in Duluth to escape the flu epidemic in 1918 to a logging camp. He travels alone by train and skis and makes friends with the jacks as he does their books. Where there is danger and fear, there is also kindness and hope.

[Kaelin Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember this story. It was a great story of friendship. It also teaches children about the Jewish culture and the Influenza Epidemic of 1918. This is one of the many books that will always have a place in my heart.

[DeNae · Rating 4 out of 5]

A true story written by a daughter about her father, this book is set in Duluth and the forests near Bemidji, MN. I loved the characters and the historical tidbits that are just enough to get younger readers interested.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A historic story that takes place during the influenza pandemic of 1918--so very relevant again all of a sudden! A boy in Minnesota gets sent to the northern woods to protect him from the pandemic, and he works for a company of loggers. I liked the rich historical details!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked listening to this little boy become a man and learn how to survive in the woods. There were some parts where I felt like it was a little too much since he's only a kid, but I liked the message of the book.

[Andrea Renfrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Long for a picture book, but my four year old son loves this one. He's fascinated by the idea of cross country skiing and all the snow. We live in Texas, so a snowy adventure in a logging community is as fantastical as St. George slaying a dragon to him.

[Steve Voiles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Winner of the Jewish Books Award. Based on the persona history of the author's father. Great illustrations by Kevin Hawkes.

[Diana Mielecki · Rating 5 out of 5]

True story of a boy sent away from home because of the Spanish flu in 1918. It helps put 2020 in perspective.

[Stephanie Sears · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the books my little boy brought home from school.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this to my 3rd and 1st grader for TruthQuest History III. This was a delight. My kids are still quoting funny lines from it the next day. 🤣 Highly recommend!

[Ebookwormy1 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lovely drawings complement an enchanting story about little Marvin, age 10, who is sent from the city of the Duluth to work in a logging camp in Northern Minnesota for the winter. While many, if not most, children will float along with Marvin into his gentle fate, some children, particularly those with fear, anxiety, trauma or a difficult start will have difficulty with the opening pages in which Marvin's family discusses that he is being sent away because they are afraid the influenza infecting the city will kill them all.

As one would expect from a picture book for young children, Marvin's adventures are mostly benign. He works hard at his job, sorting out a confusing situation, and mastering it to the point that he doesn't need to work all day long to get it accomplished. He makes friends with a lumberjack and spends a great deal of time skiing the snow kissed woods. Yet, concerns for his family haunt him and he doesn't seem to have any communication with them through the long winter, as he is joyously surprised they all survived when they are reunited.

Much is left unanswered. How did the lumber yard run prior to and after Marvin's accounting? Why was the 10 year old boy sent away but not any of his four sisters? If they all survived (seemingly easily) why was he sent away? What happened to the lumberjack that became his friend?

Although theorizing about the story may provide enjoyment and education for children secure in their attachment to their families and free from anxiety, the premise of this winsomely told and illustrated story is a difficult one for some children and should be engaged with caution.

[Crystal Lough · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marven of the Great North Woods is a realistic fiction book. It is an award winner of the National Jewish Book Award.This book is written for intermidiate aged children. The book is a story of a boy who was sent off to the country after his great-aunt died from influenza. His parents sent him to the country to be safe and become a man. Without knowing any French and not knowing any one, he managed to live a happy life. Once the sickness was gone, Marven joined his family again in the city. This was a true story. I rated this book with 4 stars because it was well written and gave a nice message. The characters in the book were important. In the beginning of the book the most important characters were his mother and father. You could feel the trust Marven had for his parents when they suggested him going to the country for a while. He did not refuse, he merely asked a few important questions. He also looked up to the lumberjacks that he lived with in the country. Marven learned a lot of things and had a great experience threw the move. The book I feel would be appealing to children who love to read and are at a high reading level. The book is long so for children who struggle reading I think would get frustrated and probably give up and get another book. I could use this book in the classroom to discuss other cultures.

[Kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boys love this book, whose title character is based on the author's father. Marven was sent by himself from Duluth, MN to the great north wooda to a logging camp during the great flu pandemic of 1918. My sons love realistic fiction...one of our all time favorites is "from dawn to dusk" by Natalie Kinsey-warnock. This one made quite an impression on them both because of the independence factor, my older son especially lovea stories about boys from long ago and how they were trusted to do so many things by themselves. Almanzo Wilder is a character that he loved for this reason. It also speaks a little to the Russian Jewish background in the family, stories of which pepper their conversations with older relatives. We will look for Lasky's novel, The Night Journey, when they get older to read more about this subject matter.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kathryn Lasky retells a story from her father's childhood in northern Minnesota. The story of how and why he spent a winter at a logging camp. It is so very different from contemporary stories about 10 year old boys. Because I am interested in the area, the time period, and the logging camps, I found it to be interesting. I'm not sure how much appeal it would have to modern children. I picked it up because my library was removing it from their collection. On another note, the illustrations by Kevin Hawkes are very lovely. Lasky has also written a novel, The Night Journey, about the family's escape from persecution in Tsarist Russia. The boy, Marven, certainly had a remarkable childhood. I might possibly try using it in the classroom (4th grade) as a companion to Fever 1793.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The blurb on the jacket says this is a "true story about a small Jewish boy and a bearish French Canadian lumberjack and how they became friends under the most unusual circumstances." The library of Congress information describes the story as fiction (lumber camps, loggers, influenza, and Jews in Minnesota). Why the discrepancy? Is the basic story true but the details (conversations, feelings, descriptions of settings)? The story feels very real. Year: 1918

I like the art, the writing, the adventure, and I'm amazed that a 10-year old could strike off on his own and enjoy life in a lumber camp.

[Jessica Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book are really beautiful. I love that the cover the entire page throughout the whole book. The story starts abruptly but after that flows quite nicely. I like the small part at the end of the book that explains the story a little more and reveals that it was about the author's father.

[Teshamae · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like this story and the fact that it is set in the North Woods of Minnesota. However, I think pieces of the story were a little too scary for my 5 year old involving how the boy thought his whole family was going to die while he was gone because of the flu epidemic. I wish that part had been toned down a bit.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

when kathryn lasky's dad was ten years old he was sent away from the city to a minn. logging camp filled w/french speakers and did the accounting for them.
no wonder lasky is such a great storyteller, w/ones like this growing up how could she not be?

[Jaycen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely great book e character and wonderful life story. The character was ten years old and JJ related to it. We talked about the flu epidemics of the past, and the way that Marven worked as an accountant and got his work done early to enjoy the day in the woods. Great book!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty cute kids' book about a Jewish boy named Marven who goes to stay at a logging camp to escape an influenza epidemic and amkes friends with a lumberjack.
It has nice illustrations too!

[Greta · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really nice story.