The protagonist, Ivik, is energetic, proud, and bright, but somewhat boastful. When his father's death forces him into a position of responsibility, Ivik realizes that he is not as grown up as he thought. His grandfather, Kriternerk, is too old and frail to hunt any longer; his mother, Ama, relies on Ivik to provide for his younger brother, Otonia, and his two little sisters, Aviak and Atupaluk. Suddenly, Ivik finds himself the head of the family, with new responsibilities and duties he must perform if the family is to survive. Eskimo Boy is a novel of initiation—that is, a novel in which a young person goes through an adult experience and matures. Ivik fulfills his responsibilities to his family, discovers bravery within himself, and learns to put aside his boastfulness in a desperate struggle for survival.

Ivik's only enemy in this short...