The Snowflake

Title: THE SNOWFLAKE
Author: Jamie Carie
Publisher: Broadman & Holman
October 2010
ISBN: 978-14336-6936-1
Genre: Inspirational/historical

Christmas 1897 in Alaska isn’t exactly easy. Ellen Pierce and her brother Jonah are alone in the world, and Jonah is convinced he wants to strike it rich panning for gold. So, he and Ellen take off. When the ship gets struck in ice, it becomes apparent that the passengers have only two choices: They can stay onboard ship until spring, and likely die of starvation, or they can start hiking across the countryside to Dawson City, and possibly die from either the elements or starvation.

Since doing something seemed better than doing nothing, Jonah and Ellen join Buck Lewis as he starts leading them across the wilderness. The passage is not easy, and someone is stealing rations. But Ellen starts developing feelings for Buck. Will they survive to find love? Or will Jonah manage to keep them apart?

THE SNOWFLAKE is a novella by Ms. Carie, that reminds me in a way of The Call of the Wild. Sort of. Maybe because the characters in the book behaved a lot like the characters in the movie, which made the book come alive for me. Ellen is held back in many ways from her mentally challenged brother. He is also abusive in many ways. But despite her difficulties, she perseveres and even comes out ahead in spite of it.

Buck is a true Alaskan hero. Rough, rowdy, and strong. He is a leader, capable of taking control of many and keeping them in order as they made the trek. I had to admire both his courage and strength many times in this book.

If you are looking for a different sort of holiday novella this season, then THE SNOWFLAKE is definitely one to consider. Written in partially first person and in third, the story puts you deep in Ellen’s character, and Buck’s. $14.99 hardcover. 256 pages.