Chogan and the White Feather
Chogan and the White Feather is the second book in the Chogan series. If you are planning to read both books, I suggest you read Chogan and the Gray Wolf first. If not, Chogan and the White Feather is a good stand-alone novel. Don't forget to check out the web sites listed throughout the novel. They are educational and will help you understand the culture of early Native Americans.
Book Synopsis
Life along the southern shore of Lake Superior would be pleasant, if not for the village bully, and every Indian village has one. Unfortunately, twelve-year-old Chogan and his ten-year-old sister Kanti reside in a village with two bullies. But size isn’t everything; Chogan and Kanti usually get the best of Ahanu and Tarragon with their trickery. That all changes when Kanti unwittingly bets her prized spear against Ahanu’s bear-claw necklace in a canoe race. If Kanti is to reclaim her spear, she will need the assistance of Mishosha (the Magician of the Lake) and Gitche Migizi (an eagle so large men can ride on its back).
Chogan considers winning impossible until Grandfather teaches him the ways of the river. Using his new-found knowledge, Chogan and Kanti take the lead in the canoe race. Just when it looks like they will win the race, Ahanu and Tarragon take a short cut down the Windigo, which is a treacherous rapids named after a flesh-eating, mythical monster. The Windigo devours all who challenge its fury, and during a full moon the wailing of a thousand souls can be heard within Windigo’s roar.
The Windigo immediately hurls Ahanu and Tarragon’s canoe against the rocks like a small toy. Tarragon is able to grab an overhanging branch and pulls himself to safety, but Ahanu clings to a rock in the middle of the river and begs for help. Chogan and Kanti must put aside their differences, if they wish to save Ahanu.
Chogan slaps the side of his canoe and whispers, “Chemaun Poll,” which is the Magician of the Lake’s secret incantation. They will need all the help they can get if they are to rescue Ahanu. Chogan’s canoe springs to life, and under Migizi’s watchful eye from above, Chogan and Kanti pull Ahanu to safety just as he was sinking into the water. Unfortunately, Kanti is severely injured in the process, and now it appears she will die.
Kanti has always wanted one of Migizi’s white tail feathers for her spear. To fullfill her dying wish, Chogan climbs to the cliff top and retrieves Migizi’s feather. He ties it to Kanti’s spear and then falls asleep. When he awakes, Kanti is gone. She has died during the night while he slept. Chogan grabs his bow and quiver to slay Migizi. Then he discovers Kanti sitting on a log outside the wigwam. She is still alive! Her fever broke soon after Chogan attached Migizi’s white feather to her spear. Chogan sees Migizi circling overhead and promises to reward him with a rabbit. Migizi tips his wing as if in acknowledgement and then soars off to his roost.
Read Chapter One
Chogan and the White Feather is a unique hybrid between fiction and non-fiction. Inter spaced among the pages of historical fiction are links to stand-alone web pages covering a cultural event or skill essential to survival in early America. Topics covered include:
- Wigwam construction
- Acorn preparation with acorn cookie recipe
- Totem and Manitou
- Birch bark canoe building
- Spear construction