A twelve-year-old Iroquois boy searches for peace in this historical novel based on the creation of the Iroquois Confederacy.Twelve-year-old Okwaho's life has suddenly changed. While he and his best friend are out hunting, his friend is kidnapped by men from a neighboring tribal nation, and Okwaho barely escapes. Everyone in his village fears more raids and killings: The Five Nations of the Iroquois have been at war with one another for far too long, and no one can remember what it was like to live in peace.
Okwaho is so angry that he wants to seek revenge for his friend, but before he can retaliate, a visitor with a message of peace comes to him in the woods. The Peacemaker shares his lesson tales—stories that make Okwaho believe that this man can convince the leaders of the five fighting nations to set down their weapons. So many others agree with him. Can all of them come together to form the Iroquois Great League of Peace?
On sale: January 4, 2022
Age: 9-12 years
Grade: Grades 4-7
Page count: 160 Pages
ISBN: 9781984815392
Reading level: Lexile: 810L | Fountas/Pinnell: X
Joseph Bruchac is a highly acclaimed children’s book author, poet, novelist, and storyteller, as well as a scholar of Native American culture. He is the coauthor of the bestselling Keepers of the Earth series with Michael Caduto. Bruchac's poems, articles, and stories have appeared in hundreds of publications from
Akwesasne Notes and
American Poetry Review to
National Geographic and
Parabola. He has authored many books for adults and children including
Code Talker: A Novel about the Navajo Marines of World War Two,
Skeleton Man, and
The Heart of a Chief.
Praise for PeacemakerAn Indie Bestseller!NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Books selection“The included stories allow Bruchac to share much about Iroquioan family life, culture, and worldviews, and should put to rest the numerous errors to be found in Longfellow’s poem, “The Song of Hiawatha.” Told with grace, this will be welcomed in history classes and those look for successful examples of nonviolent anti-bullying strategies.”—
Booklist“Bruchac brings a fresh point of view to this briskly told fictionalization of the Iroquois Confederacy’s beginnings.”—
Publishers Weekly
