Toughboy and Sister

This book was enchanting as it has children living on their own without adults. We all think about what that would be like. Toughboy is 11 and he tries to act very grown up. Sister is younger and she really looks up to her brother. The book is full of adventure, but not scary. I wish I knew what happened next. My brother and I both read this book (he is 8 and I am 11) and we both liked it.

This is my first year teaching 4th through 6th grade in a remote Eskimo village. As we read this story together I asked the students if the descriptions of events about nearby Athabascan Native Americans sounded true to them. Invariably they said, "yes." The story centers on a brother and sister, known in their village as Toughboy and sister. After their Father dies they are left to fend for themselves at their remote fish camp. When I first arrived here, in mid-August, I was told that most of my students were still out at fish camp. As I walked around all I saw were old people, very young children and a few women and girls. As it came closer to the first day of school families began arriving in boats. In addition to parents and children the boats were loaded with enough fish for the winter. The author, Kirkpatrick Hill, still lives in Fairbanks, Alaska according to the publisher's website. She taught elementary school in "bush" Alaska for more than thirty years. The story is written in a limited omnipresent point of view. We frequently jump from the mind of Toughboy to his sister and back. The writing and the story are good, but at times uneven. One reviewer has lambasted Hill for the negative stereotypes. Hill wrote the father as a loving, caring man who was a drunk. The people of the village where I live and teach have voted this community dry, no alcohol may be brought in, made or consumed. There is a reason they did that; alcohol has seriously hurt this community. These problems are a fact of life here and in the "wet" towns and villages of Alaska. Kirkpatrick Hill continues the story of Toughboy and Sister in Winter Camp Recommendation: If you are a teenage reader and want a taste of what life is still like for many in the remote parts of Alaska, read Toughboy and Sister and Winter Camp. Kyle Pratt

Toughboy, age 11, and sister, age 9 have only their alcoholic dad to care for them after their mother's death. They get excited about going to fish camp, even though it will be the first trip without mom. Shortly after they arrive to camp, their father leaves. Toughboy and sister learn to prepare meals, take care of themselves, catch fish the way their parents once had, and reminisce about past times. One day the dad returns on the boat, dead. They are then stranded at the fish camp for many weeks; finally Natasha saves them. At this point, they both realize the tremendous positive affect being stranded has had upon them. The book, in my opinion, tells a very good story. It provides a positive ending to a suspenseful, intriguing story. If you like survival stories, you will definitely enjoy this book!

Toughboy and Sister is one of my favorite books. I like it mostly because it is about an adventure. It starts out with Toughboy and Sister going to fish camp like they do every year. Then their raft floats away, and they are all alone and have to take care of themselves. Their radio runs out, and so does their food. Then, Natasha comes and takes them to her house to live with her.