Peacemaker
Heart, storytelling in relatable tale of legendary leader.
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Peacemaker is Abenaki scholar/storyteller Joseph Bruchac's account of the people and events that ended generations of deadly inter-tribal warfare and led to the formation of the League of the Iroquois, based on principles of peace, equality, and respect, long before the arrival of European colonists in North America. It's all seen through the eyes of a 12-year-old boy caught up in dark feelings of helplessness and revenge when his best friend is captured by a rival tribe. He starts to see other possibilities when a charismatic messenger arrives in the village seeking to end the conflict and unite the people in harmony. There's more emotion, internal conflict, and storytelling than action here, as the title character gathers a band of the war-weary to confront the scary warlord, conveying a sense of being caught up in events larger than yourself and helping them move in a positive direction. Storytelling, and its power to change hearts, minds, and the world, is a strong theme.
Community Reviews
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
PEACEMAKER retells the story of the legendary figure believed to have been sent by the Creator in long-ago times to unite warring Indigenous tribes of North America. Long before the arrival of the first European colonists, the five tribes of the Iroquois Nations -- Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas, and Senecas -- are in a constant state of bloody conflict with each other that seems to have no end. Until a charismatic storyteller arrives, offering a path of peace and unity, gathering the tribes in a life-changing confederation that would inspire many founders of democratic governments in years to come. All this is seen through the eyes of 12-year-old Okwaho, who's consumed with thoughts of helplessness, vengeance, and despair when his best friend is taken captive, but who sees hope for a better way in the Peacemaker's words and wants to help.
Is It Any Good?
Heart, connection, history, and storytelling loom large as a 12-year-old Indigenous boy, caught up in never-ending warfare, finds hope for a better way in the words of a charismatic messenger. Scholar/storyteller Joseph Bruchac delves into the oft-told traditional accounts of the Peacemaker, who united the warring tribes of the Iroquois Nations into a confederacy that's served as a model for democracies ever since. Song and story are important for making your point and changing hearts and minds. Here, in a metaphor for the unending conflict, the Peacemaker tells of a snake who's busy devouring a frog when a passer-by suggests to the frog that he grab the snake's tail and start his own devouring.
"As the frog swallowed and the snake continued swallowing, the circle they formed got smaller and smaller... The snake swallowed and the frog swallowed, the snake swallowed and the frog swallowed. And the circle got smaller and smaller until...
"The Peacemaker clapped his hands together. 'Pop!' he said. 'They both disappeared. They had eaten each other.'"
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Peacemaker is based on the history of Indigenous people who lived in North America long before the first European colonists arrived. Why is it important to bring these tales to light? Do they have any connection with us today?
If your best friend was abducted, never to return, how would you react?
Have you encountered the situation where people -- like Okwaho's family and friends here -- just want to be left alone and live in peace, but are constantly attacked and oppressed by bullying people and those who want to fight instead? Did they find a good solution, or just accept defeat?
Book Details
- Author: Joseph Bruchac
- Genre: Historical Fiction
- Topics: Activism, Friendship, Great Boy Role Models, History
- Character Strengths: Communication, Courage, Empathy, Teamwork
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Dial
- Publication date: January 5, 2021
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 9 - 12
- Number of pages: 160
- Available on: Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: December 21, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
-
Hiawatha and the Peacemaker
Gorgeous picture book brings timely peace message.
-
A Snake Falls to Earth
Myth, magic, science in imaginative, lively eco-tale.
-
The Barren Grounds: The Misewa Saga, Book 1
Exciting, emotional quest of foster kids in fantasy world.
For kids who love Indigenous stories
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate