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The Birchbark House
This children's novel was written in 1999 by Louise Erdrich. The story focuses on an Ojibwe or Anishinaabe tribe that lives on an island in Lake Superior.

Main Character List
Omakayas (little frog)- Main character, "girl of seven winters" (p. 5) or seven years old, daughter of Mother and Mikwam or "Deydey", older sister to Pinch and Neewo. She is connected with nature and has a natural healing ability.

Nokomis- Grandmother to Omakayas, Pinch, and Neewo. She pays special attention to Omakayas and her healing skills.

Old Tallow- Neighbor to Omakayas' family, very masculine and independent yet shows subtle affection to Omakayas.

Mother- The mother to Omakayas, Pinch and Neewo, wife to Mikwam.

Mikwam (Deydey)- The father to Omakayas, Pinch and Neewo, a fur trader, French descent.

Neewo- Son to Mother and Mikwam, younger brother to Omakayas and Pinch.

Pinch- Son to Mother and Mikwam, younger brother to Omakayas and Neewo. Seen as the troublemaker of the family.

Andeg- Omakayas' pet crow.

Plot Summary
The plot follows a seasonal pattern, with a cylclical timing that begins with a section of the book describing the Fall of 1847, then a book of Winter, following ending in the following Spring. The making of the Birchbark house is central to the novel because it describes the family functions of Omakayas and her family. Fall is a time of hard work and celebration for Omakayas, as building the community toward winter preparation makes a time of bonding for Omakayas, Omakayas's family, nature, and their Ojibwa community. She describes the work that goes into preparing for the winter. Once winter sets in, a visit from a sick and dying white man makes the family ill. By springtime, Omakayas has her key encounters with the bear cubs who smell the berries she's harvesting.