Brothers of the Heart: A Story of the Old Northwest 1837-1838

In a Charlie Chaplin classic he and another fellow are trapped in a cabin in winter in Alaska while they starve and freeze to death. What is funny for the little clown is nearly tragic for a young clerk of a fur trading expedition. The friendship and guidance of an old wise native American saves him and redeems his life. We learn that it is not always the strongest and bravest who survive, but those who can adapt.

I liked this book and will be using it this coming school year with my 5th grade students. It is an excellent book that focuses on self esteem, persistence, and acceptance of others with handicaps. However, it appears to be confusing for the fifth grade reading level. The advanced vocabulary and lack of flow because of the use of letters within the text makes me believe the reading level is probably at about eighth grade (12-14 years old). For younger students, it could be used with the teacher reading it to the students.