From School Library Journal
Grade 5-8-Jamie, a 14-year-old rock hound and cross-country runner, remains clueless for three-fourths of this generally pleasing book, despite the presence of many clues that he is part of an extended family of shape-changers that transform to and from wolves in response to tunes played on ancient stone flutes. Bothered by the apparent ease with which his widowed Korean-American professor father agrees to have him stay with his mysterious "Aunt Louise" for the summer at her primitive mountainside cabin somewhere north of Seattle, the teen nevertheless learns to enjoy many aspects of her back-to-basics lifestyle. She's an odd one, answering few questions until Jamie forces the issue to find out more about his Uncle Ji-Min and Cicely, Louise's goddaughter who, though the same age as Jamie, has spent more time with the pack than with people. There are minor errors of fact about log splitting, bees, breaking car windows, and cross-country, but the details of Louise's rural homestead and Jamie's gradual realization of his part in the strained relationships among the adults are well integrated and interestingly portrayed. The climactic confrontation between Jamie's father and uncle, whose views of the boy's future differ significantly, provides a satisfying and somewhat open-ended resolution. Recommend this to readers who appreciate T. A. Barron's The Ancient One (Philomel, 1992) and the mix of human interest and ecological elements in the works of Jean Craighead George and Madeleine L'Engle.
Joel Shoemaker, Southeast Junior High School, Iowa City, IACopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Gr. 4-8. Since his mother's death and his father's withdrawal, 14-year-old Jamie Park has found solace as a runner, often experiencing an eerie sense of wolves nipping at his ankles as he runs. When a letter arrives from a stranger who calls herself Aunt Louise, Jamie's dad encourages him to head to Washington State to spend time in the wilds with the mysterious woman. There Jamie discovers some shocking secrets about Louise, his parents, and even himself. Although for the most part the plot is straightforward and realistic, occasional odd clues hint that the story's conflict will be resolved by something bizarre and supernatural. And, indeed, Creedon's meld of music, philosophy, science, and ancient lore will satisfy readers willing to stretch their imaginations. Intriguing and well written, if occasionally weird, this will draw readers looking for fiction on the fringe of fantasy.
Roger LeslieCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
