Hiawatha And Megissogwon
The Song of Hiawatha Series
on Goodreads (15)
What’s inside...
Hiawatha, grown to manhood, is a powerful figure, righting wrongs and vanquishing demons. Inspired by his grandmother, he travels into a desolate land to challenge an evil magician. Legendary Hiawatha, son of the West Wind, ventures into a desolate land to battle an evil magician in this compelling episode from Longfellow's epic, The Song of Hiawatha. Action-packed drama combines with magic as the brave young hero slays serpents, evades ghosts, and finally confronts the mighty Megissogwon. Jeffrey Thompson's powerful blend of scratchboard and computer illustration enhances the magic of Longfellow's stirring poetry, drawing a new generation of children into this classic tale. An afterword by prominent Native American author Joseph Bruchac answers the question: Is this an authentic Native American legend?
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-12
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Hiawatha
Kwasind
Chibiabos
Megissogwon
Discussion points
Why do you think Hiawatha wanted to confront Megissogwon?
How did Hiawatha prepare for his encounter with Megissogwon?
What characteristics do you admire in Hiawatha?
Can you think of a time when you had to overcome a challenge? How did you feel?
What do you think is the moral of the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story, validating their responses to foster a supportive environment.
Draw parallels between Hiawatha’s courage and challenges they face in their own life, which can make the story more relatable.
Ask questions that prompt your child to think critically about Hiawatha's decisions and their outcomes.
Discuss the significance of perseverance and bravery as shown in the story, relating them to personal development and moral growth.
Utilize the storytelling to reinforce the value of facing fears and standing up for what is right, highlighting these as key takeaways from the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage in the face of adversity
Explanation: The protagonist, Hiawatha, confronts the fearsome Megissogwon despite feeling scared. His bravery in challenging a much stronger opponent demonstrates his courage.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of facing their fears and standing up for what is right, even when they feel intimidated. This can be applied in scenarios like overcoming fear of the dark or standing up against bullying.
Example Lesson: The power of resourcefulness
Explanation: Hiawatha uses his wit and the resources available to him to defeat Megissogwon, showing that brains often triumph over brawn.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think creatively to solve problems, whether it's figuring out a tricky puzzle or finding a way to rebuild a toppled block tower.
Example Lesson: Respect for nature and its elements
Explanation: The story highlights how Hiawatha respects and utilizes the natural elements wisely to overcome challenges, symbolizing harmony with nature.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the importance of preserving and valuing the natural world which can manifest in activities like planting trees, conserving water, or recycling.
Example Lesson: The importance of perseverance
Explanation: Despite several setbacks, Hiawatha persists in his quest, demonstrating that perseverance is key to achieving goals.
Real-World Application: This lesson can inspire children to keep trying in their own endeavors, such as learning a new skill or improving in a sport, despite initial difficulties.
Example Lesson: Learning from elders and history
Explanation: Hiawatha listens to stories and wisdom from elders, which equip him with the knowledge needed to defeat Megissogwon.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to value and learn from the experiences and teachings of parents, teachers, and historical figures to guide their own actions and decisions.