Song of Sampo Lake

By William Durbin

Book Overview

For fifteen-year-old Matti Ojala and his family, Finnish immigrants in Minnesota in 1900, starting a new life in America is both a hardship and an opportunity. After a tragic mining accident kills their beloved uncle, the family turns away from on the iron mines to pursue the dream of owning a homestead in the wilderness. This means constant hard work and new challenges for the entire family. But will it also allow Matti, the in-between child, the chance to escape from his older brother's shadow and gain the approval of his father, which he so desperately desires?

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0816675694
• ISBN13: 9780816675692
• Release Date: February 2011
• Publisher: University of Minnesota Press
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.4" x 8.1"
• Age Range: 10 to 13 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 8

Customer Reviews

You'll like this one a lot

This is my favorite of Bill Durbin's books and I've read them all. The setting, the characters, the Minnesota winter, this amazing young boy Matt who becomes the man of the family ... it all adds up to a vivid depiction of life when Europeans were making their newfound way in this country.

A Great Read

As a teacher I've read lots of homestead books, but this one is unique in its northwoods setting. The historical details are well researched, and characters and their struggles are depicted in a realistic manner. Adults as well as kids will enjoy this story. I've used THE BROKEN BLADE in my classroom, and I intend to incorporate this one into my curriculum as well.