Trouble at Fort La Pointe

One of the educational points that I really appreciate about this novel is the attention that the author, Kathleen Ernst, pay to the technology of the time period. Canoes and decorating techniques are described, including paintings on canoes and decoration of garments. My daughter and I were intrigued by the description of how the grandmother and mother went about the task of "packing up" their house when it was time to move. The book introduces simple French and Ojibwe vocabulary that is either basic (merci) or relevant to the subject matter (wiigwam), and a glossary with pronunciation guide is included.

The early summer of 1732 bring Suzette and her family to La Pointe Island on Lake Superior. The Ojibwe people camp by the French fur-trading fort on the island every summer. Suzette's mother is an Ojibwe woman. Her father is a Frenchman who works for the French fur-trading company. Ordinarily, Suzette's father would have to spend each winter in faraway Montreal, but this year there is a competition among the trappers. If Suzette's father wins, he will be able to pay off his company contract and stay with his Ojibwe family year-round. Then things get complicated. First, someone sabotages the canoe carrying Suzette and her family to the island. Her father almost losses some furs. Suzette almost drowns. Next, the competition is halted when a bale of furs is stolen from the fort. Evidence begins to point to Suzette's father as the thief. Can Suzette figure out who the real culprit is and save her father from exile? Can you figure out what's going on before Suzette?My daughter didn't like this "History Mystery" as well as the others we have read. I think she might have been put off by the fur-trading aspect of it. The idea of men competing to see who can get the most animal skins didn't sit very well with her. On the other hand, that was a fact of life in those days. We can't ignore the past just because some aspects of it conflict with our modern sensibilities. I thought this was one of the more engaging mysteries in the series. Suzette comes across as a bit more aggressive than a girl in her circumstances might be allowed to be, but she is brave and she comes through when the chips are down. This is a good book for young readers, with all the positive aspects I've cited in my reviews of other entries in this series. I recommend it highly to kids and their parents.

The year is 1732. Twelve-year-old Suzette is a part of two worlds - her father is a French fur trapper and her mother an Ojibwe Indian. Every winter her father has to leave the family's home on Lake Superior and journey to far-off Montreal. However, if he can come up with enough money to pay off his contract, he will be allowed to remain with his family year-round. To that end, he has entered himself in a fur trapping competition; whoever traps the most pelts wins. Suzette is positive her father will win. Until the competition is sabotaged and some of the pelts stolen. What's worse, Suzette's father is the chief suspect. If Suzette doesn't find proof of her father's innocence by catching the real chief, he will be banished into the wilderness, along with his family. So with the help of her friend Gabrielle, and using her knowledge of both French and Ojibwe ways, she determines to find the real culprit. I highly reccomend this excellant addition to the series.