Children of the Longhouse

Children of the Longhouse follows eleven-year-old Mohawk twins Ohkwa'ri and Otsi:stia in their daily lives in a 15th century Mohawk settlement. The story centers on Ohkwa'ri's conflict with a group of boys who may be planning to violate the teachings of the Great Law of Peace. The twins navigate traditional customs, clan responsibilities, and village relationships while preparing for an important lacrosse match between rival villages. Daily activities include tending crops, learning from elders, and participating in ceremonies that maintain harmony within their community. The narrative examines themes of peace versus conflict, respect for tradition, and the challenging transition from childhood to young adulthood in Mohawk society. Through the experiences of the young protagonists, readers gain understanding of Mohawk values and the complexities of maintaining peace in a warrior culture.

Readers appreciate the book's authentic portrayal of 15th century Mohawk life, with details about games, traditions, and daily activities. Teachers and parents report it engages students while teaching about Native American culture. Readers highlight the book's themes of conflict resolution, respect, and sibling relationships. Many note the story helps counter stereotypes about Native Americans. Some readers found the pacing slow and the plot predictable. A few mentioned difficulty keeping track of Mohawk terms and names. Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (438 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (89 ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 Sample reader comments: "Perfect balance of cultural information and storytelling" - Amazon reviewer "My 5th graders connected with the characters" - Teacher on Goodreads "Too much detail about daily life slowed the story" - Goodreads reviewer "The conflict resolution message felt heavy-handed" - Parent on Common Sense Media

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🏹 The story takes place in the 1400s among the Mohawk people, before European contact with North America, providing a rare glimpse into pre-colonial Native American life. 🍁 Author Joseph Bruchac is of Abenaki descent and has written more than 120 books, focusing primarily on Native American themes and storytelling traditions. 🏠 The longhouse mentioned in the title was a traditional Iroquois dwelling that could house multiple families—sometimes up to 60 people—under one roof. 🎯 The game of lacrosse, which features prominently in the book, originated among Native American tribes and was originally called "dehuntshigwa'es" (meaning "they bump hips") by the Onondaga people. 🕊️ The book accurately portrays the significant role of women in Mohawk society, where they held considerable political power and owned all property, including the longhouses.