Description
"The short pieces in One Story, One Song remind us of human beings� place in the world: We are a part of it, not masters of it. And by sharing our stories we share ourselves. By listening to others� stories, we share their lives and perhaps gain connections. One Story, One Song is all about connections, something we all need."
—Globe and Mail
In One Story, One Song, Richard Wagamese invites readers to accompany him on his travels. His focus is on stories: how they shape us, how they empower us, how they change our lives. Ancient and contemporary, cultural and spiritual, funny and sad, the tales are grouped according to the four Ojibway storytelling principles: balance, harmony, knowledge and intuition.
Whether the topic is learning from his grade five teacher about Martin Luther King, gleaning understanding from a wolf track, lighting a fire for the first time without matches or finding the universe in an eagle feather, these stories exhibit the warmth, wisdom and generosity that make Wagamese so popular. As always, in these pages, the land serves as Wagamese�s guide. And as always, he finds that true home means not only community but conversation—good, straight-hearted talk about important things. We all need to tell our stories, he says. Every voice matters.
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age:
- 13
- Grade:
- 8
Awards
- Winner, George Ryga Award for Social Awareness in Literature
- Winner, George Ryga Award for Social Awareness in Literature
Editorial Review
"The short pieces in One Story, One Song remind us of human beings' place in the world: We are a part of it, not masters of it. And by sharing our stories we share ourselves. By listening to others’ stories, we share their lives and perhaps gain connections. One Story, One Song is all about connections, something we all need."
— Globe & Mail
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Librarian review
One Story, One Song
In this collection of short stories, Wagamese shares the stories of his life as well as information and musings on First Nations history and related issues. Wagamese emphasizes the importance of listening to the stories of others if you want to understand them and sharing your stories if you want to be understood. The book is divided into four sections that correspond to the four directions of the medicine wheel and which have four overarching themes: East –humility, South –trust, West –introspection and North –wisdom.
Wagamese also wrote One Native Life and Keeper’n Me. The author’s awards include the National Newspaper Award and the Native American Press Association Award.
Caution: Includes discussion of drug use, alcoholism and child abuse.
Source: The Association of Book Publishers of BC. Canadian Aboriginal Books for Schools. 2011-2012.
