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Review
'A celebration of the human spirit.' -- The Daily Mail
'John Smelcer's The Great Death is an outstanding piece of writing and undoubtedly my favourite novel of the year.' --The Bookseller
'Gripping.' -- The Independent
'This is quite an exceptional survival story. It is realistic and vividly detailed, but it also has the quality of myth.' --The School Librarian
'Vividly written and eventful tale.' --Carousel
"A must-read by an exciting new novelist: definitely one to watch. "
--The Bookseller
"I had to remind myself that this is based on the real experiences of Smelcer's grandmother and her sister, their story of survival brought movingly to life in this fine novel." -- Bookseller (teenage category preview)
"The storytelling skilfully combines these two elements of realism and folktale, becoming both a practical and spiritual handbook of survival. It has much to offer children of nine to thirteen. Remote as it may seem from their own lives, its core experiences are universal."
--Books for Keeps
"This is a lovely book. It's full of courage and family loyalty and great tenderness. It's also a riveting adventure and you are rooting for Millie and Maura, so young and so horribly struck by tragedy, right from the start. It's told in lyrical and elegant prose without a word wasted and the overwhelming beauty of the harsh but beautiful Alaskan landscape rises vividly from the page."
--TheBookBag.co.uk, October 2009
'John Smelcer's The Great Death is an outstanding piece of writing and undoubtedly my favourite novel of the year.' --The Bookseller
'Gripping.' -- The Independent
'This is quite an exceptional survival story. It is realistic and vividly detailed, but it also has the quality of myth.' --The School Librarian
'Vividly written and eventful tale.' --Carousel
"A must-read by an exciting new novelist: definitely one to watch. "
--The Bookseller
"I had to remind myself that this is based on the real experiences of Smelcer's grandmother and her sister, their story of survival brought movingly to life in this fine novel." -- Bookseller (teenage category preview)
"The storytelling skilfully combines these two elements of realism and folktale, becoming both a practical and spiritual handbook of survival. It has much to offer children of nine to thirteen. Remote as it may seem from their own lives, its core experiences are universal."
--Books for Keeps
"This is a lovely book. It's full of courage and family loyalty and great tenderness. It's also a riveting adventure and you are rooting for Millie and Maura, so young and so horribly struck by tragedy, right from the start. It's told in lyrical and elegant prose without a word wasted and the overwhelming beauty of the harsh but beautiful Alaskan landscape rises vividly from the page."
--TheBookBag.co.uk, October 2009
Book Description
A perilous journey across the snowbound Alaskan wilderness.
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4 reviews
A major contribution to Alaskan and American history
29 Jan 2011
Format:Hardcover
Most people are not familiar with the true events upon which this book was written. It's a little known fact in American history. Alaska really was hit hard by a plague (which Native later called The Great Death) around 1918 to 1920. The plague killed almost two-thirds of all Alaska Natives (Eskimos, Indians, Aleuts, et al). Other diseases had swept across Alaska in the previous century. In support of the truth of these events, an epidemiologist from the Universty of Alaska's WAMI medical program recently discussed the impact of the widespread disease in an interview on public radio. Alaskan Native scholar, Harold Napolean also discusses it in his book, Yanyaraq. The Native words used throughout the novel come directly from the author, who is one of the last speakers on earth of the Ahtna language, the language that would have been spoken by the two girls in the novel. Over two decades, John Smelcer learned to speak Ahtna from every elder who spoke the language. The words come from his The Ahtna Noun Dictionary and Pronunciation Guide, published by the tribe in 1998. The dictionary has since come out in an expanded 2nd edition (2011). In fact, for almost three years, John was the tribally appointed executive director of The Ahtna Heritage Foundation. In 1999, Ahtna Chief Harry Johns, who was actually related to the two girls in the story, held a special ceremony to designate John Smelcer as a Traditional Ahtna Culture Bearer, a term usually reserved for elders. This book is amazing. It reminds me of Rabbit Proof Fence.
The Great Death: A Great Read
29 Jun 2010
Format:Hardcover
John Smelcer's historical fiction middle grade novel was calling my name on one of my library visits. Set in Alaska, two sisters are orphaned when everyone in their village dies of an epidemic. Trying to make their way downstream toward civilization, the sisters encounter many challenges, all the while trying to remember that their survival depends on their ability to stay together.
This is an intriguing story and fans of books like Hatchet will enjoy the people vs. nature plotline. While I enjoyed this story, there were some things I would like to change/add:
I would have appreciated author's notes that included some information about the epidemic these people were confronted with, the time period it was set in, and the native Alaskans. Without any information I think middle grade readers may need some assistance to really understand this novel.
I also wish there were some form of follow-up to the sisters' story, or that the story continued on a bit longer so that readers know what happens when the sisters find a village of people.
Smelcer's tale is amazing, though, showing how strong the will to survive is, and reinforcing the necessity of continuing on despite the tragedies that may befall one in life. Seeing these girls bury their parents and leave the rest of their friends and family is an amazing tale of courage.
This is an intriguing story and fans of books like Hatchet will enjoy the people vs. nature plotline. While I enjoyed this story, there were some things I would like to change/add:
I would have appreciated author's notes that included some information about the epidemic these people were confronted with, the time period it was set in, and the native Alaskans. Without any information I think middle grade readers may need some assistance to really understand this novel.
I also wish there were some form of follow-up to the sisters' story, or that the story continued on a bit longer so that readers know what happens when the sisters find a village of people.
Smelcer's tale is amazing, though, showing how strong the will to survive is, and reinforcing the necessity of continuing on despite the tragedies that may befall one in life. Seeing these girls bury their parents and leave the rest of their friends and family is an amazing tale of courage.
The Great Death
24 April 2010
Format:Hardcover
Nearly 20 years after the Klondike Gold Rush, thirteen year old Millie and her younger sister Maura face the worst problems imaginable after disease decimates their small, native Alaskan, fishing village. As the only survivors in their village, the two girls must bury their parents to keep the bodies from being ravaged by dogs and other animals, as they have done to the remains of their friends and neighbors. Once finished, the two girls leave their village for the first time in their lives in search of a trading settlement. The trip is very dangerous for the inexperienced girls, but they must find others in order to survive the Alaskan winter.
I was surprised by this well-written, fast-paced story. The book title is based on the term used to describe the period when a large number of native Alaskans died from diseases brought to Alaska by foreigners during the Klondike Gold Rush. The author effectively describes the hunger and fear the two girls experience on their first journey into the wild. Both girls make mistakes due to their inexperience and the danger they face is clearly explained. Throughout the book, there are references to Native legends about the Raven, a creature who, while sometimes helpful, is primarily a trickster. While the message of the story is appropriate for all teen readers, I found the description of the dead villagers to be extremely gruesome and could be disturbing to younger teen readers.
I was surprised by this well-written, fast-paced story. The book title is based on the term used to describe the period when a large number of native Alaskans died from diseases brought to Alaska by foreigners during the Klondike Gold Rush. The author effectively describes the hunger and fear the two girls experience on their first journey into the wild. Both girls make mistakes due to their inexperience and the danger they face is clearly explained. Throughout the book, there are references to Native legends about the Raven, a creature who, while sometimes helpful, is primarily a trickster. While the message of the story is appropriate for all teen readers, I found the description of the dead villagers to be extremely gruesome and could be disturbing to younger teen readers.
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