Peacemaker

By: Joseph Bruchac

Narrated by: Shaun Taylor-Corbett

A 12-year-old Iroquois boy rethinks his calling after witnessing the arrival of a mystical figure with a message of peace in this historical novel based on the creation of the Iroquois Confederacy.

Twelve-year-old Okwaho’s life has suddenly changed. While out hunting with his best friend, his friend is kidnapped by marauders from a neighboring tribe. Okwaho barely escapes back to his village where everyone lives in fear of raids and killings: The five tribes of the Iroquois have been at war with each other for far too long, and no one can even remember what it was like to live in peace.

Okwaho seeks only revenge, which will just perpetuate the violence. But before he can retaliate, a visitor with a message of peace, as told in the lore of the of the Iroquois nation, comes to him in the woods.

The Peacemaker - a vision in white buckskin with a calm demeanor and soothing words - tells the boy that he can convince even the most warlike leaders of the wisdom of peace. Okwaho joins the legions of others who believe, and is present when the great treaty creating the Iroquois Confederacy is enacted.

©2020 Joseph Bruchac (P)2021 Blackstone Publishing

School Book

We listened to this book as it was suggested by the Sonlight Homeschool Curriculum. My kids are 10, 7 and 5. We all really appreciated this story once we got a handle on some of the Native American words. This certainly helped my kids remember the Iroquois League of Nations with much more detail than I ever could have hoped for. This is a wonderful book.

Wonderful Story!

Lovely story! It left me feeling hopeful! The narrator did a nice job as well.

A much needed message

So far I haven't met a Joseph Bruchac book that I haven't liked. I think there should be more books like this, describing Native American culture & history from the perspective of one who not only is Native American himself, but who has also done extensive research about his and many other nations. This book describes an event that actually occurred in such a beautiful storyteller fashion that it seems like an epic you'd hear around a campfire or as a bedtime story - probably over many sessions. And it's got such a wholesome and much needed message in today's societal & political climate, both locally & globally.

My one beef with it is that the issue of the best friend getting kidnapped never felt properly resolved, especially where the parents are concerned. I can't say more without spoiling things, but that actually really bothered me. Hence the 4 stars instead of 5. Everything else was solid.