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Sweetgrass Basket
Marlene Carvell brings heartbreaking history alive in this novel in verse. Mohawk sisters Mattie and Sarah are sent to an off-reservation boarding school after the death of their mother. Their father believes they’ll be better off there but instead, they face pressure to assimilate and abuse at the hands of the headmistress. They must figure out a way to protect both their culture and their memories as their bond strengthens
About the Book
Publisher’s description:
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.
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