The Home Wind

Winner of U.P. Notable Book Award (2021)The Home Wind is a middle-grade children's novel (ages 9 and up), which takes place during the 1870s in a Michigan logging camp. Includes discussion guide. Jamie Kangas struggles with turbulent emotions caused by the death of his father, who perished in a logging accident--an accident for which Jamie blames himself. While his mother works as cook in a logging camp, Jamie is run ragged as a chore boy. The grinding dreariness fades when Jamie meets a Native American boy, Gray Feather, who carries a burden of his own. The two boys become close friends as they face the challenges of a harsh environment and prejudiced world. And as trees fall to the lumberjack's blade, Jamie hears the ghostly words of his father, warning of future catastrophe. "Steeped in carefully researched historical events in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, The Home Wind is a delight. Martin's characters captured my heart and made the story come alive--two boys struggling to understand the world around them. This is also an important book for anyone interested in the history of Michigan's logging industry and in the Native peoples of Michigan. I highly recommend The Home Wind, and if you are looking for a gift for your middle reader, it's perfect!" -- Sue Harrison, author of The Midwife's Touch "Martin really captures what a logging camp was like, what the town of Seney was like-famously wild, but perhaps only on weekends-and my favorite section was the Marinette/Menonimee fire which was dramatically and vividly depicted. Altogether a wonderful book for young adult readers and anyone who enjoys historical fiction set in the U.P." -- Tyler R. Tichelaar, author of The Marquette TrilogyFrom Modern History Presswww.ModernHistoryPress.com