This charming and informative tale recounts the life and adventures of a fictional young Native girl coming of age along the banks of the present-day Oconto River in Northeastern Wisconsin.
Set around the year A.D. 1000, long before the arrival of non-Native settlers in the region, “Elianya’s Story” paints a picture of what daily life may have been like for a young girl growing up in the traditional culture of that era. Though the episodes are fictional, they are based upon careful research into the likely social conditions of that time.
“Elianya’s Story” recounts how her mother and father first met and how their infant daughter became a popular and much-loved member of their small, riverside village. As she gained in age and experience, Elianya soon learned about the essential skills needed to survive in this harsh environment, whether hunting, fishing, preserving food, and other useful crafts.
After suffering a serious accident, Elianya was forced to give up some of her more ambitious dreams and find a new role in which she could contribute to her community. Guided by her revered grandmother, she learned how to fashion the pottery vessels that were so important to daily life in the village. Her skill soon made her famous up and down the river for the quality and imagination of her wares. Neighboring tribes would travel for days to trade for Elianya’s clay pots and other vessels.
“Elianya’s Story” is lavishly illustrated with full-color scenes that will delight younger children and stoke the interest of older readers, too. It opens with a two-page map of the area encompassed by the story, then goes on to highlight all the personalities and important events of the story. Also included is information about the author and the illustrator, as well as a special section listing contact information to encourage readers to learn more about the Native inhabitants of the area (see “Learn More”).