Murphy and Mousetrap Book

"You deaf?" Albert hollered. "You got trouble hearing plain English, white boy?" "Hey, man," Jeff said. "Murphy's my cousin." "You know how to play soccer?" Albert said. "Not really" was all Murphy could say. Murphy's mother has just moved him and their cat, Mousetrap, back to the reserve in Port Alberni. Although he belongs to the Nuu-chah-nulth Nation, Murphy is sure that he won't fit in, and he worries about Mousetrap, who has always been an indoor cat. When a bunch of local boys drag him to their soccer practice, put him in goal and pelt him with balls, he believes that his worst fear has come true. However, he seems to be discovering a new talent at the same time. And perhaps he has misjudged. Being a light-skinned city boy thrust onto a reserve far from the city is not easy, but maybe Murphy has what it takes. Sylvia Olsen has many sources of inspiration for her children's writing. Her mother and mother-in-law have more than two hundred grandchildren and great-grandchildren between them! Sylvia has lived in Tsartlip First Nation for almost thirty years. She works as a First Nations community development consultant. Sylvia is the author of three other novels for children and teens: No Time to Say Goodbye and The Girl With a Baby, both published by Sono Nis Press, and Catching Spring, her first book with Orca.

Sheryl O'Sullivan - Children's Literature

Though the title does not suggest it, the main character of this book is a Native American. Murphy, whose mother decides to move back to the First Nation reservation where she grew up, must make the shift from living in a culturally diverse city to life as a newcomer on the reservation. While he has many relatives there, Murphy's light skin, blond hair, and small stature invite name-calling and bullying. His skill at soccer, however, wins over even the most relentless bullies as he helps his team win the soccer tournament. Murphy's cat, Mousetrap, mirrors Murphy's own journey from timid, misplaced outsider to confident member of the reservation. This book, written by a First Nation member, contains authentic glimpses of what life is like today on a First Nation reservation. The themes of the book, such as bullying, perseverance, and growing up, however, could apply to any child anywhere. As one of a relatively few children's books showing contemporary Native American life, this book would be valuable in any classroom considering this population. 2005, Orca Book Publishers, Ages 8 to 12.