Rachel's Children is a true story, based on real events. It is an
engaging and humorous account of a contemporary Ojibwa household and the
woman and her children who are at its core. As their lives unfold, we
understand how traditional beliefs and oral history help Rachel and her
family cope as they encounter racism and educational discrimination in
rural northern Michigan. When a white educator arrives in RachelOs
household to learn about 'Indians, ' she discovers the harsh reality of
backwoods life. Beardslee is the queen of sucker punches--she writes in
an unexpected combination of ethnography, theatrical script, and novel,
echoing the Ojibwa style of storytelling. Her absorbing story about
survival of the Native American family encourages a greater
understanding of cultural diversity, and will be valuable for
instructors in Native studies, multicultural education, womenOs studies,
and anthropology.