On my bookshelf, you’ll see my weathered set of Little House on the Prairie from my childhood. I reread them countless times and the stories captured my heart and imagination.
Studying the pioneers for the second time with my kids, I wanted to do better. We still listened to Little House on the Prairie and talked about Pa versus Ma’s sentiments toward the Native Americans. But I also found these two books, rooted in history, and sharing a different perspective. I did these as family read-alouds for my 7th graders, 4th grader, and 2nd grader.
Prairie Lotus, an Asian version of Little House on the Prairie
Set in the 1880s, Hana is a half-Asian, half-Caucasian pioneer who has to figure out her own path. After her mother’s death, she and her father move from California to the midwest. I appreciated Linda Sue Park’s insight into Hana’s thought process as she handles discrimination from the townsfolk in Dakota Territory.
This book hit close to home because my own children are half-Asian and half-Caucasian. The thought that we would have faced discrimination was mind boggling to them.
**There is a scene towards the end that is the catalyst for Hana to take action. She is grabbed by a prejudiced, drunk man in town but manages to free herself and run away. He then attempts to damage her reputation by spreading lies about Hana and her character. The description is scanty but if you are handing this book over to your child to read by him or herself, this scene is worth discussing.
One of the reasons I appreciate historical fiction is how we absorb many historical facts that make up the backdrop of the story. We learned about Chinese immigration to California through Hana’s mother’s story. We were saddened at the law against interracial marriage when her parents could not legally marry. The discrimination against the Sioux population was present in the story, as well as the sympathy of some of the characters.
Linda Sue Park gives an extensive author’s note. It includes her admiration for Laura Ingalls Wilder as a child and how Prairie Lotus came about. She provides in-depth information regarding her research into this historical era and the native Americans who lived in the midwest.
A Sky Full of Song, a Jewish version of Little House on the Prairie
This story begins in a village in the Russian Empire in 1905. Shoshana, her mother, and sisters endure much persecution because they are Jewish. The story details their journey to New York by boat and then to North Dakota by train. They are reunited with their father and other Jewish immigrants in North Dakota and this begins their assimilation into pioneer culture. Shoshana desires to fit in but her sister wants to hold on to their Jewish roots. How will Shoshana handle the prejudices of her non-Jewish classmates?
**There is an incident about halfway through the book where is Shoshana, walking home alone, is viciously attacked by larger students, led by one main bully. We were so sad when, afterward, Shoshana felt she couldn’t communicate her experience with her family.
Our reaction: We shared Shoshana’s disgust of living in a dugout with insects. There was much rejoicing over her finding a new pet and bringing a sorely-needed cat to the midwest. We were saddened by the persecution the Jews faced, first in the Russian Empire and then in North Dakota. Shoshana’s concern over the plight of the Dakota Native Americans concerned us, too. We endured a dreadful winter storm on the prairie with the family. And we cheered Shoshana on as she came to forgive her persecutors and build bridges within the community.
The author’s note gives more details about Jewish history in the Russian Empire and the Dakota Native Americans. I was especially impressed with the extensive list of Works Consulted for learning more these two subjects.