Song of Sampo Lake

By William Durbin

Book Overview

For Matti Ojala and his family, Finnish immigrants in Minnesota, starting a new life in America is both a hardship and an opportunity. When their beloved Uncle Wilho is killed in a tragic mining accident, the family decides they must realize their dream of owning a homestead in the wilderness. This means constant hard work and new challenges for the entire family. But it also means that Matti, the "in-between" child, has his chance to shine. Whether he's looking after his younger sisters, clerking in a general store, teaching English, or clearing the land with Father, Matti strives to prove himself to Father and escape his older brother's shadow.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385327315
• ISBN13: 9780385327312
• Release Date: October 2002
• Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 0.8" x 5.7"
• Age Range: 9 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 7

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.