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From the Publisher
“An authentic chapter in Alaska history.” School Library Journal starred review“A bittersweet Eskimo version of Little House on the Prairie.” The Atlantic Journal
“A treasure.” Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Esther Atoolik is twelve years old and her Alaskan village is getting smaller; there aren't enough children to keep the school open. What to do? the people ask. Should we abandon our island in the Bering Sea that her people have lived on for centuries? Here is the tender, true story of Esther's last season in her island home and the wonderful memories she carries with her. A chapter book illustrated with the drawings of Rie Muñoz.
Twelve-year-old Esther Atoolik tells of the last winter her people spent on King Island, Alaska, in the early 1960's.
“A bittersweet Eskimo version of Little House on the Prairie.” The Atlantic Journal
“A treasure.” Seattle Post-Intelligencer
“The school teacher rose. ‘I, too, have bad news,’ Roger said. He spoke slowly, with long pauses, so everyone could hear and understand. ‘The Bureau of Indian Affairs has told me, too, that this is the last year there will be school on King Island. I am very sorry to say this as Marie and I have enjoyed our teaching very much.’….Inside me a bad feeling twisted and turned like a bird trying to free itself from the net. How many times our father had told us that it was important that we attended the white man’s school and learn all we could.” From Chapter 4, page 25
Overview
Esther Atoolik is twelve years old and her Alaskan village is getting smaller; there aren't enough children to keep the school open. What to do? the people ask. Should we abandon our island in the Bering Sea that her people have lived on for centuries? Here is the tender, true story of Esther's last season in her island home and the wonderful memories she carries with her. A chapter book illustrated with the drawings of Rie Muñoz.
Twelve-year-old Esther ...