Malian's Song

by Marge Bruchac, William Maughan (Illustrator)

Young Malian lives contentedly with her parents and extended family in an Abenaki village near Montreal in the mid-eighteenth century. One night, Malian's life changes abruptly. Silently, her father carries her off to the woods, blanket and all, and orders her to run to their tribe's winter camp. Malian obeys, but not before she turns to watch her father slip back to the village through the trees. She never sees him again.

Malian's Song is based on the true story of a deliberate attack by English Major Robert Rogers on Quebec's St. Francis Abenaki community in 1759. Malian's account of "Rogers's Raid," passed down through generations of Abenaki oral tradition, reveals that many Abenaki people survived the attack that destroyed their village, in direct contrast to Rogers's journal accounts. Jeanne Brink, a descendant of Malian living in Vermont, told the Vermont Folklife Center the little-known Abenaki version of the brutal attack. In this first Abenaki and English picture book, preeminent Abenaki historian Marge Bruchac and illustrator William Maughan portray Malian's story of a people's strength and fortitude in the face of unspeakable loss.

Genres: History, Picture Books, Native American, Nonfiction, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2006

Reviews

[Primavera Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A 2005 Aesop Prize Winner book, Malian’s Song follows a young girl as she is experiencing an attack on her village, which causes her to lose her father in a fire. In response to all of this, she writes a song. The images in the book carry such beauty, heartbreak, and emotion. Not only are the images a key element to the story, but the story itself is inspirational. Teachers can use this book in their classrooms to help their students understand the idea of loss and ways to overcome the grief and sadness. Teachers can help their students understand ways to be strong and how to power through something that would take a major toll on their lives. Reality is harsh and in the field of eduction, it is important to prepare students for any and all scenarios, no matter how tragic.

[Nikki Tuchek · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing true story of 1759 English attack on the city of St. Francis Abenaki. This stroy is told through the eyes of a little Abenaki girl. While during research on this story, I learned that this is the only picture book written about this historical event. The story follows Malian, the little girl's, triumphs during this event. This book is wonderful and informational, and it is beautifully written.

[Hannah Feeney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for learning about another culture. Throughout the book, we learn about Malian's family, village and some of her daily life. Children will enjoy hearing about how Malian's life is different from theirs. It is told in the first person, and as a reader you truly feel like you're in the story. Illustrations in the book are very clear and beautiful.

[Jensen Kniska · Rating 4 out of 5]

Malian's Song is about a girl named Malian. She lived in a village where the English set a fire on her village. Before this, she lived a happy life with her family but unfortunately, her father died from the fire. I would read this book to my class to inform them on how dangerous things could happen to people.

[Jessica Tirone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a little girl who writes a song. This girl lost her father in a fire that was set to her small village. It was a somber story. I would read this to a class to make them aware of things that could happen so quickly. Also, to teach that you don't know what other people are going through so be kind.

[Megan Billick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read. Gives you a different perspective on the English attack on the Abenaki tribe, told from Malian's perspective, as a 9 year old girl who lived in the tribe. Very informative, it was a good story.

[Suhad Albaat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is a good book to read to my students. Having them read this would teach them that not everybody's lives are the same, everyone is different. I believe the kids would enjoy hearing about Malian's culture and everyday life.

[Elisabeth Ensor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sad story of a Native American village being attacked

[ANGELA SNYDER · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely story, but would appreciate pronunciations of native words.

[Kandace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on true events, a young Abenaki girl recounts the 1759 English attack on their St. Francis village near Montreal. Snatched in the middle of the night, Malian is whisked away to safety by her beloved father. Most of the Abenaki villagers are able to escape the raid thanks to the warning of a Mohican scout traveling with the invader, Robert Rogers. Malian's father, however, fails to return after the village is destroyed by fire. Grief stricken by her losses, Malian makes a Lonsome Song to keep her company.

Bruchac expands on the historic event in her detailed afterward, including the story's preservation through oral tradition. An Abenaki descendant herself, Bruchac captures a tragic chapter of history and transforms it into a tangible rendition that can be shared by all. The pepperings of Abenaki language and the first person perspective add to the authenticiy of Malian's Song. Furthering the authenticity are the soothing, muted tones of William Maughan's illustrations.

This would make a great addition to any classroom library. Students can learn about the Abenaki culture by relating to young Malian and her plight. I find that my students are always more engaged when they know the story is based on real people and/or places. And, strangely they're attracted to stories of loss. I'm unsure if it's because they're unfamiliar, curious or connected to pain and tragedy. Whatever the intrigue, Malian's Song would make a great share and discussion opportunity.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marge Bruchac, Abenaki Indian and sister of children's author Joseph Bruchac, here tells the story of the English attack on the St. Francis Abenaki community on October 4, 1759. She tells it through the eyes of Malian, a young girl who lives with her family in an English style house (cabin). The story is told simply, though a bit disconnected from page to page, with Abenaki words sprinkled in. (A pronunciation key would have been nice.) Because the story is told from the point of view of a child who was hustled away to safety and probably saw the massacre from a distance, if at all, much of the violence that took place is not depicted in the illustrations. We see buildings set on fire, and then burnt out ruins, with only a verbal mention of people killed. The story lacks an emotional hook to draw the reader in. I think if it had been longer, perhaps a chapter book, the story would have had a greater impact. At the end of the book Bruchac provides further information about the attack by Robert Rogers and his rangers, talks about how this story was passed down orally from generation to generation, and a list of books for further reading (always appreciated!). The illustrations appear to be well researched and reveal interesting details of Abenaki life at that time. Despite its flaws, I recommend this book for its Native American viewpoint of an event for which we usually have only the white man's view.

[Carol Royce Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting account of the Abernaki perspective on the English attack of October 4, 1759, which came to be known as Rogers' Raid. The story is told from the perspective of a young girl, Malian, who is taken from her village at night by her father, whom she would never see again. The story includes many Abernaki words, but these are explained through the story, so it is easy to understand.

[David Freudenburg · Rating 3 out of 5]

This historical fiction picture book tells the story of "Rogers' Raid" of 1759 as it was orally passed down through several generations of Abenaki people. During the French and Indian War a British Major, Robert Rogers, led a military raid on the St. Francis Abenaki community. His historical account of the raid does not match with that of the survivors.

[Andrea Labonte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book.