★ “A beautifully evolving story of an indigenous American family. ” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
★ “Erdrich’s storytelling is masterful. Readers will be more than happy to welcome little Chickadee into their hearts.” — School Library Journal (starred review)
“Readers will absorb the history lesson almost by osmosis; their full attention will be riveted on the story. Every detail anticipates readers’ interest.” — The Horn Book
“In the fourth book in Erdrich’s award-winning Birchbark House series, the focus moves to a new generation. As always, the focus is on the way-of-life details as much as the adventure. Most affecting are the descriptions of Makoons’ loneliness without his brother.” — ALA Booklist
“Set around the same time period as the ever-popular Little House books, the Birchbark House series has become a classic narrative in its own right. Delightful.” — Brightly
“The pleasures of reading the series are not unlike those of reading Laura Ingalls Wilder: Discovering an earlier time in our country through stories of the daily lives of children.” — Newsday.com
GLOWING PRAISE FOR THE BIRCHBARK HOUSE SERIES: “Based on Erdrich’s own family history, the mischievous celebration will move readers, and so will the anger and sadness. What is left unspoken is as powerful as the story told.” — Booklist (starred review)
“[A] lyrical narrative. Readers will want to follow this family for many seasons to come.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Readers who loved Omakayas and her family in The Birchbark House (1999) have ample reason to rejoice in this beautifully contstructed sequel … Hard not to hope for what comes next for this radiant nine-year old.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
★ “Erdrich’s charming pencil drawings interspersed throughout and her glossary of Ojibwe terms round out a beautiful offering.” — School Library Journal (starred review)
★ “Erdrich’s gifts are many, and she has given readers another tale full of rich details of 1850’s Ojibwe life, complicated supporting characters, and all the joys and challenges of a girl becoming a woman.” — Horn Book (starred review)
★ “Why has no one written this story before?” — ALA Booklist (boxed review)
“The Birchbark House establishes its own ground, in the vicinity of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House books.” — New York Times Book Review
“Erdrich’s captivating tale of four seasons portrays a deep appreciation of our environment, our history, and our Native American sisters and brothers.” — School Library Journal