Hidden Roots

Bruchac, J. Hidden Roots. New York: Scholastic Press, 2004. Print. ISBN: 0439353580 Hardbound. U.S. $15.99

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Annotation: During the summer before sixth grade Sonny discovers the complexities of growing up and the pain and sorrow that exists in his family's past.

Hidden Roots by Joseph Bruchac

The roots may be hidden in this short novel by Joseph Bruchac but the message is incredibly obvious. During the Cold War, Howard, nicknamed Sonny, is discovering the subtleties of life during the summer before sixth grade. His father’s frequent rages, his mother’s secrecy, and his occasionally-present Uncle Louis consume his time and thoughts. He is slowly realizing the correlation between his father’s violence and his uncle’s presence and, when the mystery is solved, life will never be the same. Sonny narrates Hidden Roots in the past tense however he reveals no real dynamic shift or growth as a character. He begins the story as a scared, naïve, kid and he concludes the story as the same person only with some new information. The realization of his Uncle’s true identity is the great peak of action and it happens much too late in the story. Any interesting action that might have occurred after this huge bomb is dropped is lost to the book’s abrupt ending. Metaphors concerning trees, growth, and roots are delivered with a heavy hand; too heavy and too often. With the exception of a few important historical notes on genocide and government-sponsored atrocities the action is predictable and “ho-hum.” Sonny’s narrative and the transparent nature of the plot lends Hidden Roots to a younger audience. Recommend this book to 5^th-7^th graders interested in American history and Native-American culture.

The author, Joseph Bruchac, has been writing and making music that reflect his Abenaki Indian heritage for over thirty years. Visit Joseph Bruchac's website to hear him read poems, schedule an author visit, or see a schedule of his performances. http://josephbruchac.com/

Warning...SPOILERS

Grade 5-9-Small for his 11 years and the last picked for playground games, Harold doesn't much care that he's friendless. His mother is also a loner; his father works at the paper mill and everything about his job makes him angry--chemicals spilling into the Hudson, the gnashing cogs of machine Number Three that will rip off a limb if you're not careful, and the double shifts that never bring in enough money. Life is hard in this upstate New York town during the early 1960s. Harold knows that his family has secrets; some are too threatening to make sense of while his mother tries to hide others. Uncle Louis visits mostly while his father is at work, showing Harold the wonders of this Adirondack wilderness. Bruchac's story takes its roots in the 1930s Native American sterilization program known as the Vermont Eugenics Program. This chilling reality haunted the Abenaki people, threatened their annihilation, and drove them into hiding for three decades. As Harold learns near the end of the story, his family, victims of that program, escaped to New York and claimed a French heritage. "Uncle Louis" is actually his mother's father. This purposeful but discerning book will prompt discussion and further research into the plight of the Native people from the Green Mountain State. Yet within this historical framework of the shameful deeds of man, pride and integrity hold the family together.--Alison Follos, North Country School, Lake Placid, NY (School Library Journal)
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