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Chapters 1 and 2- Summer
"The Birchbark House" As eight-year-old Omakayas (a name that translates as "Little Frog", given to her because she always seems to be jumping about) explores a quiet swamp, she is called by her grandmother (Nokomis), who wants her help peeling the birchbark that will be used in constructing a summer house for their family. Narration describes the rest of Omakayas' family - loving Mama, beautiful older sister Angeline, selfish younger brother Pinch, Father, out hunting, and happy baby Neewo. -
Chapters 3 & 4
Omakayas responsibility is to tan the pelts which is a special job given to her. Omakayas uses the working time to think about what happened with the bear, becoming more and more convinced that she and the bear somehow managed to communicate. She believes that a bond has been created between her and the bears. Mama believes there is something special about her daughter.