Cover of Sweetgrass Basket

Sweetgrass Basket

by Marlene Carvell · 2005

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In prose poetry and alternating voices, Marlene Carvell weaves a heartbreakingly beautiful story based on the real-life experiences of Native American children. Mattie and Sarah are two Mohawk sisters who are sent to an off-reservation school after the death of their mother. Subject to intimidation and corporal punishment, with little hope of contact with their father, the girls are taught menial tasks to prepare them for life as domestics. How Mattie and Sarah protect their culture, memories of their family life, and their love for each other makes for a powerful, unforgettable historical novel.

Genre
historical fictionhistorical fictionMore like thisLess of thiscoming of agecoming of ageMore like thisLess of thisliterary fictionliterary fictionMore like thisLess of this
Themes
diversitydiversityMore like thisLess of this
Setting
19th century19th centuryMore like thisLess of thisNew York StateNew York StateMore like thisLess of thisPennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaMore like thisLess of this
Audience
young adultchildrensmiddle grade
Length
medium · 256 pages
Form
poetrypoetryMore like thisLess of this

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