SkySisters

SkySisters. Jan Bourdeau Waboose. Illus. By Brian Deines. Niagra Falls: Kids Can Press, 2000. 30 pages. $15.95(Hardcover). ISBN 1-55074-697-9. Grades K-3.

Potential Reactions…

I was not a huge fan of this book, but then again I am not the intended audience. That being said, I am not sure the intended audience would particularly care for it either. This book takes place in Canada and focuses on an experience that is unique to the area or other very northern locales. It also focuses on the traditions and language of a Native American tribe that is not really discussed in the text. I think readers on the younger end of the target audience may be confused by the changing of names from Alex and Allie to Nishiime and Nimise and how the grandmother is at first a person and then the moon. I think if readers were informed or aware of the culture than this would not be a distraction, but I found myself wondering why the sudden name change and connection with the culture when the book didn’t start that way. Okay, not that my negative potential reaction is done; there are some things that I think a young audience will enjoy.

I think the two young girls getting to go off in to the woods on an ‘adventure’ will catch interest. I think children are adventurous and curious and would want to have a similar experience even if it isn’t to see the Northern lights. I think the animal encounters; especially the deer and coyotes will be exciting for children too. I found the illustrations to be gorgeous and perfect for the text and I think that the kids will love to see the pictures of falling snow and the northern lights, especially if they haven’t seen them before. I do think that this book would be more interesting to students who have learned about the Northern Lights before or who have been studying Native American cultures. They story and bond of the sisters could potentially remind students of their own siblings or friends too, which would create another positive reaction.