The Broken Blade

by William Durbin

Overview

In 1800, thirteen-year-old Pierre LaPage dreams of becoming a voyageur and paddling a fur trade canoe. But this is something that older, more experienced men do. However, when Pierre's father has an accident, Pierre signs on with the North West Company so that his family will have money to survive the winter. Life is hard for Pierre as the youngest member of his brigade. Treacherous rapids, blistered hands, aching muscles, and the cruel teasing of the older men make him miserable. But there is no turning back for Pierre, and he must endure the 1,000 mile journey from Montreal to Grand Portage.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780578752310
Publisher:	Lake Vermilion Press
Publication date:	10/13/2020
Pages:	174
Sales rank:	1,021,149
Product dimensions:	5.25(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	13 - 18 Years

About the Author

William Durbin is a Minneapolis-born teacher and writer who has lived in the lake country of northeastern Minnesota for many years. He has supervised writing research projects for the National Council of Teachers of English, the Bingham Trust, and Middlebury College. He teaches English at a small rural high school and composition at a community college. The Broken Blade is his first novel.

Read an Excerpt

"No," Charbonneau bellowed. Pierre closed his eyes, anticipating the shuddering crunch of a canoe shearing through their hull. When there was no impact, he opened his eyes just in time to see La Londe leap over the side. Still clinging to the gunwale, the bowman planted both feet on the slippery boulder, grabbed the projecting bow in his hands, and heaved upward.

As the front of the canoe came free, the fierce backpaddling of the middlemen finally took effect. The stern swung back just as McKay's canoe brushed past, cutting so close that it knocked a paddle out of one man's hand.

In that same instant La Londe lost his footing. Before anyone could extend a hand or even cry out, he was gone.

One moment he was there, and an instant later there was only the boulder and a white horsetail of water.

Pierre turned to Charbonneau and yelled, "A rope! Get a rope!" but everyone's eyes were already turned downstream, searching for a reason to hope.


From the Trade Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

"Durbin's first novel is an impressive coming-of-age tale set in Montreal at the dawn of the 19th century...Readers will embrace this unusual journey and its path to true bravery, strength of character, and self-reliance." Kirkus pointered review

"The combination of historical fiction set in 1800 with a coming-of-age tale works well here... Middle school students will be attracted to this enjoyable, fast-moving story." School Library Journal

"The lively writing, vivid characters, and page-turning adventure make this a great choice for Gary Paulsen fans." Booklist, Susan Dove Lempke

"William Durbin's attention to detail-both historical and fictional-make him one of today's masters of historical YA fiction." -- David Gill of the NCTE

From the Publisher

In 1800, a 13-year-old boy takes his father's place on an arduous canoe trip across Lake Superior. "This adventure tale will give rise to daydreams of a more rugged time," said PW. Ages 10-up. (May)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Gr 5-8-Pierre, 13, is the son of a voyager, one of the French-Canadian canoemen who plied the fur trade in Canada during the last two centuries. When his father severely injures himself in a wood-chopping accident, Pierre signs on with his father's company in order to keep the family from poverty. The bulk of the novel is structured around the boy's first canoe trip to the wilderness outpost of Grand Portage. Along the way, he faces many challenges and has great adventures. He grows in physical strength and matures both mentally and spiritually. In short, he becomes a man. The combination of historical fiction set in 1800 with a coming-of-age tale works well here. Pierre's companions on his journey are a rowdy, disreputable lot, but they pull together when they must. There is the requisite bully whose respect Pierre must earn and a good-natured boss who has faith in him. The drowning of one of the boatmen sobers the crew and brings home to Pierre the very real dangers they face. The work is grueling and the food monotonous, but the men enjoy a rough camaraderie and savor the natural beauty that surrounds them. Middle school students will be attracted to this enjoyable, fast-moving story.-Bruce Anne Shook, Mendenhall Middle School, Greensboro, NC

School Library Journal

Durbin's first novel is an impressive coming-of-age tale set in Montreal at the dawn of the 19th century.

When Pierre's father severely cuts himself while doing one of the boy's chores, the guilt-ridden 13-year-old leaves school and enlists as a voyageur for the North West Company. Voyageurs freighted goods thousands of miles, from Montreal to Grand Portage. As one of the rowers in one of the convoy's canoes, Pierre, who knows his family will not last the winter without his wages, paddles 1618 hours a day, with few breaks. Soon, bloodied, blistering hands, aching muscles, and taunts from the older, more seasoned voyageurs fill his days. While the physical demands threaten to crush his spirit, Pierre nevertheless remains open- minded, and soon kinder men like La Londe and Charbonneau offer friendly advice and keep an eye out for the hardworking young man. Durbin brings in a wealth of facts about the canoes, the countryside, and tools the voyageurs used, all adding realism to the tale. The sudden drowning of La Londe sends the boy into a confrontation with grief that leaves him with a clear-eyed view of mortality. The teasing and name-calling of the crustier voyageurs is unrelenting, but appropriate for this salty, rough, and feisty bunch. Readers will embrace this unusual journey and its path to true bravery, strength of character, and self-reliance.

Kirkus Reviews