The Great Death

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.

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.

It was really annoying to have to be stuck watching out for Maura. Ten-year-old Maura was stuck in the middle of the Tazlina, "swift river," perched dangerously on a rock. Millie was getting increasingly irritated at her, telling her to jump to get out of her predicament. Finally after a lot of fussing Maura jumped down soaking herself. They would soon head back to the village. The Alaskan wilderness was peppered with isolated villages that had been there forever, but soon an unforseen plague in the form of a white man would change the girls' lives. In the meantime Millie knew her mother would be irritated when she brought her sister back to the village. No doubt about it, it was at times like these she thought she "hated her little sister." The village had unexpected company. One man from another village came with not one, but two white men. Everyone surrounded them to hear any news of family and friends. The list of the dead was read and they were told that their Shaman was exhausted from tending to the sick. The girls listened as one of the men said, "Death is everywhere, in every house." One of the white men was coughing and had funny red spots on his hands. It wouldn't be long before death began in their village. There were so many that wild animals came in to scavenge the bodies. Everyone began to die, including their parents. Why weren't Millie and Maura affected? Millie was only three years older than her sister . . . with winter coming on would she be able to lead her to safety through the cold, unforgiving wilds of Alaska? They gathered supplies and began to walk . . . This story of two young sisters trekking though the Alaskan wilds in a desperate effort to survive will mesmerize the reader. This tale does not hold back the punches in the graphic department as we hear about things such as the look and smell of ghastly corpses. I found myself unable to put this book down and read it in one setting. I liked the subtle way the relationship of the girls evolved from disdain to a more mature, but necessary closeness. No spoiler here . . . you'll just have to read the book to find out what happened to Millie and Maura. This stunning portrait of death in Alaska will keep you burning the midnight oil too!