Song of Sampo Lake

Matti Ojala is a middle child, often feeling overlooked in the shadow of his big brother Timo. The Ojala family have immigrated to northern Minnesota from Finland, and the year is 1900. Early in the story, Matti, his father, brother, and uncle are all working in the underground iron ore mine at Soudan, hoping to save money for a homestead; but when his uncle is killed in a mine accident, the family's future begins to change. His father takes claim on a homestead on rocky land near Sampo Lake, and Matti helps to clear the land and build a cabin. He also clerks part-time in a general store, and teaches English to other immigrants. Written by William Durbin, this story vividly tells the story of homestead life in northern Minnesota. This could be a resource for Minnesota history classes.