William Durbin, auteur en docent, woont aan de rand van de Boundary Waters Wilderness in Minnesota. Zijn productieve werk voor jonge lezers heeft prestigieuze prijzen gewonnen, waaronder de Great Lakes Book Award en de Minnesota Book Award. Naast zijn bijdragen aan de kinderliteratuur heeft Durbin zich ook toegelegd op poëzie en essays, waarmee hij een brede beheersing van literaire expressie toont. Zijn invloed reikt tot het onderwijsonderzoek, waar hij schrijfprojecten voor vooraanstaande instellingen begeleidde.
In 1905, fifteen-year-old Otto describes in his journal how he travels from Finland to America, joining his father in a dreary iron mining community in Minnesota and becoming involved in a union fight for better working conditions.
The narrative follows a Finnish American family's thrilling journey as they confront the enigmatic "Red broom." This tale weaves together themes of adventure and cultural identity, showcasing the family's resilience and the challenges they face in an unfamiliar landscape. Through their experiences, the story explores the intersection of heritage and the unknown, highlighting the strength of familial bonds in the face of adversity.
The book was first published in 2003 by Wendy Lamb Books, a Random House, Inc. imprint. It reflects the publishing standards and themes of that time, likely offering a unique perspective or storytelling style characteristic of early 2000s literature.
Set in 1800, the story follows thirteen-year-old Pierre LaPage, who aspires to be a voyageur despite his youth and inexperience. After his father's accident forces him to join the North West Company, Pierre faces the harsh realities of life on the fur trade route. Battling treacherous rapids, physical exhaustion, and the ridicule of older crew members, he embarks on a grueling 1,000-mile journey from Montreal to Grand Portage, testing his resilience and determination to support his family through the winter.