The Game of Silence

Erdrich, Louise.  2005.  The Game of Silence.  New York: Harper Collins Publishers.  ISBN 0064410293

Summary:

The story is about a girl named Omakayas and her family life.  Omakayas's  gift is a constant reminder of how she is different from everyone else.  She has dreams that show real time events.    The title of the book is significant  to the story because the reader can see it played throughout.  The hierarchy of the culture is evident throughout the book.  Each thing or place has significant meaning bringing a realistic view of the time period and people.   It is filled with difficulties, sacrifices and rich in Ojibwe culture.

Characters:

The main character is Omakayas.  She tells the story from her viewpoint.  She seems like an ordinary girl, with a special gift which make her relatable.  How many people see themselves different from others?   Her extended family is also mentioned throughout the book and the reader can see each role the individual plays.  Daily chores are done to accomplish the goals of the community.  Children can relate to doing chores at home which makes the book believable.  The pencil drawings assist the reader to understand and picture the story in their mind.  It also depicts the characters of the story.

Plot:

The plot can be followed quite easily.  It is broken down into seasons so that the reader can establish a time period.  The story is filled with daily activities that have to be accomplished for survival.  The depiction of the life during the time period is clearly described in the story.  The game of silence is not a foreign concept.  Everything from harvesting crops to hunting animals, make the book realistic.  The only difficulty children might encounter is the language dialect which is extremely complex.

Setting:

The setting is a small island next to Lake Superior, Michigan around 1849.  A map of the island is in the back of the book to show the reader, the location of significant places in the story.

Theme:

The Ojibwe each have a specific role in their society.  There are individuals who hunt, some cook, other gather supplies, each learning a trade that can benefit the culture.  The people live in a collective society and share their goods among the rest of the tribe.   There is a common goal of survival.  Family unity is a familiar quality that can be seen today.

Style:

The style of the story is cohesive and draws a correlation to traditions.  The author gives insight to a culture rich in traditions and storytelling.

Additional Criteria:

The author notes that she is a descendent to the Ojibwe people and has written an open letter to the reader, giving a personalize look into her ancestry and traditions.  The author has given the reader a dictionary of Ojibwe language to translate the native dialect of the tribe.  A mini family tree also provides additional information, as well, as a map of the island, where the story takes place.

 

Excerpts

From Book Links

"In this powerful novel of love and sorrow, loss and change, readers will mourn with Omakayas when she finally leaves her adored home but will also share her hope for the future."

Tillotson, Laura. 2006. "The Game of Silence." Book Links 15(3): 30.

From Library Media Connection

"Author Louise Erdrich has a wonderful facility with language as she draws readers oh so gently into a peaceful life of Omakayas and her tribe."

2006. "The Game of Silence." Library Media Connection 24(4): 70.

From Book Links

"In addition to an abundance of detail about life through the seasons, Erdrich deals with the wider meaning of family and Omakayas' coming-of-age on a vision quest."

Rochman, Hazel. 2005. "The Game of Silence." Book Links 15(1): 13.

From Publishers Weekly

"When she's not fighting with her pesky brother Pinch, helping her mother, or gleaning advice from mentor Old Tallow, Omakayas starts to discover more about her talent for reading dreams."

2005. "The Game of Silence." Publishers Weekly 252(30): 68.

From Horn Book Magazine

 

"Erdrich’s own gifts are many, and here she has given readers another tale full of rich details of 1850s Ojibwe life, complicated supporting characters, and all the joys and challenges of a girl becoming a woman."

 

Smith, Robin. 2005. "The Game of Silence." Horn Book Magazine 81(4): 469.

From Kirkus Reviews

 

"Eager readers beguiled by her sturdy and engaging person will scarcely notice that they have absorbed great draughts of Ojibwe culture, habits and language. It's hard not to weep when white settlers drive the Ojibwe west, and hard not to hope for what comes next for this radiant nine-year-old."

2005. "THE GAME OF SILENCE." Kirkus Reviews 73(9): 538.

From Booklist

 

"In this heartrending novel the sense of what was lost is overwhelming."

Rochman, Hazel. 2005. "The Game of Silence (Book)." Booklist 101(18): 1674.

From School Library Journal

"Although the story is set on an island in Lake Superior in 1850, readers will identify with the everyday activities of the Ojibwa, from snowball fights to fishing excursions, providing a parallel to their own lives while encouraging an appreciation for one that is very different."

Monaghan, Kimberly, Trevelyn E. Jones, Luann Toth, Marlene Charnizon, Daryl Grabarek, and Dale Raben. 2005. "The Game of Silence." School Library Journal 51(7): 102.

Awards

ALA Notable Books

Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction

Connections

The Birchbark House ISBN 0786814543

The Porcupine Year ISBN 0064410307

Chickadee ISBN 00660577908

Activities for Children

Children can create a family tree, as the author, has shown a how to demonstration in the back of the book.

Children can be asked to talk about their ancestry or family traditions.

Personal Response

I believe there is an authentic quality to the book.   I especially loved the roles of the individuals and how each worked together for a common goal.  I particularly could relate to the story because I have learned how to do specific tasks from my grandparents and parents.  Children can associate tasks from a family member such as cooking a traditional meal or learning a skill like sewing or creating a tent.   Keeping family tradition is important and should be passed down generations, like the Ojibwe people have.