We read these as an adjunct to The Year of Miss Agnes. Toughboy and Sister is part 1, and Winter Camp is part 2. Both are excellent books looking in the "old ways" of Alaskan life. This book handles many "sensitive" issues quite well.
In Toughboy and Sister, an 11 year old boy and an 8 or 9 year old girl set off for fish camp with their father. Their mother has died shortly before, and their father likes to drink at times. Well, shortly after arriving at camp, the father "forgot" something and had to take their boat back to go get it. After a couple of anxious days, the children's father comes back, but he dies shortly thereafter. The children set his body adrift in the non-working boat, hoping that someone will see the boat and rescue them. They spend the whole season alone, taking care of themselves.
In Winter Camp, they set off with an elderly woman for trapping camp, and learn to survive in the cold, harsh weather. When a visitor gets injured, the elderly woman leaves them alone to go get help. They survive bitterly cold weather of 50 below, almost start their cabin on fire, and learn the "old" way of doing things. An interesting perspective on the blending of cultures.
Neither of these books were too sensitive for my 6 year old child to handle, and although well written, didn't have us in tears.
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