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Book Review of Two Old Women: An Alaska Legend of Betrayal, Courage, and Survival

Two Old Women: An Alaska Legend of Betrayal, Courage, and Survival
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Based on an Athabascan legend, 'Two Old Women' tells the story of a small band of native Alaskans, living in the unforgiving territory above the Arctic Circle, who make a difficult decision as their group faces starvation. They ask two old women to leave the tribe, fearing that the extra food and energy needed to care for them will diminish the band's ability to survive the winter.

How the women survive, and what happens to the tribal members who abandoned them, form the backbone of this spare but lovingly told novel, written by a native Alaskan who is intimately familiar with both the land and its culture.

Suitable for middle school and above, this tale of survival and redemption is a quick read that will stay with the reader long after the final page is turned.