Book Slam Participants
Jimmy Huntington School, Huslia, Alaska

Elders
Gertie Sam
Eleanore Sam 

Grade 3/4 Teacher
Annette Moses

Artists and Readers
Matthew H, Grade 3
Dorothy H, Grade 4
Kairon D, Grade 3
Falon W, Grade 4
Abby P, Grade 3
Zane R, Grade 3
Andrei, K Grade 4
Lyla V, Grade 4

Thanks To
Principal Casey Weter and Superintendent Kerry Boyd for their leadership in making the Huslia Book Slam possible.

Book Slam Project Management
Steve Nelson, Project Coordinator,
Association of Alaska School Boards
Cheryl Bobo, Site Facilitator

© 2020 Yukon-Koyukuk School District

Blake V,  Grade 3
Aaron W, Grade 4
Deon D, Grade 4
Dereck S, Grade 4
Charlize S, Grade 4
Kennah S, Grade 3
Emmy J, Grade 3
Emma F, Grade 3

Tap on page objects to hear Denaakk'e words.
There are 15 different audio "Touch Zones"
in this book. Can you find them all?

August 19, 1943. The family arrives at Old Town along with other families. Amelia and Jimmy see many relatives and friends. The family unpacks and store their belongings and fish for the winter. 

Read by
Abby P
Grade 3

1.

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Amelia and Jimmy visit their grandparents and tell about their summer adventures. Jimmy shows them his rifle as they sip hot tea, eat dry fish, and crackers. They are happy for him, now he is prepared for the upcoming hunting season. 

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Read by
Zane R
Grade 3

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2.

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August 21, 1943. Today is Amelia’s 9th birthday. She is gifted a 22 rifle. The whole village celebrates a successful fishing season and her birthday. They eat moose head soup, indian ice cream with salmon berries, and cooked blueberries. They play indian kick ball and tag late into the evening. 

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Read by
Andrei K
Grade 4

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3.

September 5, 1943. Hunting season begins and excitement is in the air. The family leaves Old Town early in the morning as the air is turning crisp and colder. They are on their way up the Koyukuk River, when Jimmy watches a raven flip over in the air. This is a sign of “GOOD LUCK” in our Athabascan Culture.

Read by
Lyla V
Grade 4

4.

The travel upriver is slow and steady. They spot something swimming across the river. As they approach it, it was a cow moose leading its young calf. On the sand bar, they notice a red fox chasing geese looking for its dinner. 

Read by
Blake V 
Grade 3

5.

As they travel farther upriver they arrive at a large sandbar and park. Jimmy and his father quietly walk back into the thick brush to check for any signs of a bull moose. As the woods become darker they hear sticks breaking in front of them. Jimmy spots a black bear with two large cubs.

Read by
Aaron W
Grade 4

6.

They try to move closer for a better shot, but Jimmy spooks the animals. He got one shot off but missed. The cubs ran back into the woods, the larger black bear ran off toward the river.

Read by
Deon D
Grade 4

7.

Amelia and her mom are waiting in the boat and they suddenly hear a gun-shot. The black bear comes charging out of the woods towards them. Amelia quickly hides under the blanket, while her mother picks up a rifle, takes careful aim and shoots. Jimmy and his father hear the shot and quickly runs towards them. Their mother has had luck, as the day moves on they work on their catch and set up camp across the river. 

Read by
Dereck S
Grade 4

8.