The Broken Blade

Thirteen year old Pierre is the son of a voyageur. When his father injures his hand while cutting wood, Pierre signs on with his father's company in order to save the family from poverty. This novel tells the story of his first trip from Montreal to Grand Portage. The trip is filled with adventure and challenges, and Pierre grows in strength physically and mentally. This was William Durbin's first novel, and it won the Minnesota Book Award in 1998.