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This story within a story begins with a teenage girl telling the younger clan children about how she wasn’t allowed to do things that males were allowed to do and that she was only allowed to do girl things. Manda, the teenager, wanted her father to teach her how to fish, but he would not allow this as it went against the rules of the Haudenosaunee tribe. She grew up watching her father and brothers fish and wanted to also help her tribe. So, one day, she decided to go out on her own. She borrowed her older brother’s fishing pole, swore her younger brother to secrecy, and went fishing. She caught a bunch of fish, which she put in her mother’s borrowed basket. Her father caught her doing this, and there were consequences. But from her defiance came progress as the tribe began to allow girls to do traditional boy things and boys to do traditional girl things.
This tale was written by even-year-old Michaelis, who was interested in Native American culture and believed in equality and hope. On one level, it is a story of passion, of a young girl chasing her dream of fishing. Yet it is also a story of change, as a young girl helps to change the focus of gender roles in her tribe. Finally, it is a story of forgiveness. Manda was able to apologize for taking her brother’s fishing pole and basket, as well as fishing without permission. She was then forgiven for these behaviors, all while being loved for who she was. It is a delightful teaching story for children through the words as well as through Claudia Pardo's charming illustrations.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review