Customer Reviews

Children of the Dawnland

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I have not read the other books by these authors. This is their first children's book-geared toward middle school age children.

I found the book to be interesting and a fast read. At times, I was concerned that the violence and apocalytic themes would not be suitable for middle school children. By the time I was done reading the novel, however, I felt that it would be ok for my middle school age child to read. I felt that the violence was much less than what is on the news every night or what she reads in the paper, and similar in violence to many of the disney movies. For people concerned about whether it is appropriate for their child, I would encouarge you to read it first. Because it deals with different cultures and spiritual beliefs (I think it is most like native indian culture) the book talks about things that some people may not agree with like "dreaming", which is like having psychic premonitions, and spirit guides. I personally don't have a problem with this and like for my children to be exposed to different beliefs and cultures but recognize that other parents would find this objectionable.

I really like that the main character is a girl and that she is portrayed as strong, capable, and a leader.

Not knowing any of the history behind this book, I can not speak as to the accuracy. However, the authors are well regarded. I liked the brief history that is presented in the front of the book before the story as well as after the story. The story itself was written in a way that it was easy to imagine the characters, the landscape, and the struggle of the people. I would enjoy reading more books by these authors.

I will update this review after my daughter reads the book.

UPDATE 8/1/09: My 12 year old daughter loved this book. She loved the main character being a strong girl, she loved learning about the history, and loved the story line. But that is as much detail as i could get out of her. She said she would definitely recommend it to her friends and is glad she read it.

I really like the Native American series of books produced my the Gears. They are very informative and good story telling as well.

This book is their first effort at a childrens story, so there needs to be two evaluations - the book itself, and its suitability for children.

First, the book. The story will be pretty familiar to anyone who has read the First American series. Basically, it evolves around Twig, who is becoming a singer (Shaman); how she discovers she is sensitive to the spirits of the native american tradition, and how she embarks on her spirit journey. Along with this is the tale of a natural disaster (predicted by the spirits), and the tribal warfare that is typical of these books. I found the story to be very readable, and the language was at the level that a child would understand easily, from about fourth grade on up.

Now, as to its suitability for kids. The Gears have left out many of the graphic descriptions of sex, violence, and death that accompany most of their books. However, the book still contains violence, mainly implied rather than described. I realize the difficulty here; the pre-columbian American world was a place of violence, and the authors want the reader to be aware of the nature of the world. Making this into a children's book without sugar coating everything is difficult. In general it was OK, except that in one instance a child is actually killed, rather than being described as killed, if one can make that distinction. Apart from that one section (and perhaps the reader could omit that if the book was being read aloud), I would say that the book might be enjoyed by kids 10 and older. But parents should be aware that this book deals with death, and the descriptions of spirit journeys may confuse some children, depending upon their religious backgrounds. I would suggest that the parent explain the concepts as needed, depending on the child.

This is a good book, and I recommend it - but read it first, and read it to your younger kids, rather than having them read it themselves.

12,900 years ago twelve-year-old Twig is a girl living with the Blue Bear Clan of the People of the Dawnland. This is the end of the Ice Ago so the glaciers are melting and receding while rivers and lakes threaten to overflow. Twig's mother is a Spirit Dreamer who can not see the future, and is not nearly as powerful as her daughter whose vivid visions include a ball falling from the sky destroying everything in its path. Riddle refuses to allow Twig to learn how to use her powers or tell anyone in the clan about them.

The clan elders of Baffalobeard Village are more worried about the Thornback people; Chief Nightcrow is destroying all villages in his path hoping his warriors will bring his clan to a safe place. He has the same mission as Twig as he believes a catastrophe from the sky is coming. Twig learns from Spirit Dreamer that she must find the dreamer Cobia who is the last hope to enable the clan to survive.

Taking place during the last ice Age, glaciers are everywhere in what today is the Great Lakes region. The clans are in trouble with a shortage of animals to hunt. Twig eventually tells the village elders that after the catastrophe occurs they will have a place where they will not only survive they will thrive. Nightcrow is determined to find them before they do and after the event will settle in the land of his visions. Readers will appreciate this terrific prehistoric supernatural thriller that combines some fantasy inside a realistic portrayal of survival.

Harriet Klausner

I selected Children of the Dawnland because I've read other books by the authors -- married archeologists -- and I was curious to compare their first YA selection with previous books.

In every real way, this story fits in with previous books by the Gears. The only real difference is the age of the protagonist. If anything, the authors seem limited to the same basic plot and characterizations. However, this would probably be the book that introduces younger readers to the other books, and you can read several before wearying of the similarities.

"Chiildren" provides us with a heroine, Twig, who is admirable, brave, and strong from the beginning, and her best friend who learns to share those qualities when they're needed. Twig has been having prophetic dreams and she must learn fast if she is going to save her people from not just a cataclysm, but also a Power thirsty neighboring people. (In these books, "Power" is almost always capitalized and carried with it a spiritual meaning.)

The authors have always made a point of honoring as much as possible the histories of the clans they use in their fictional works. Spiritual beliefs play a huge role in his story, as well as all the other books by the pair. That means that parents along the younger edge of readership should give this book with the understanding that their children will be exposed to beliefs other than those of the Judeo-Christian faith. "Children" takes seriously the concept of prophetic dreams, spirit helpers, and animal totems. These beliefs are woven into nearly every page.

Again, and this concerns the youngest readers who might be interested, there's a lot of violence and fairly explicit descriptions of death, murder, mutilation, and mortal wounds.

Teens who are interested in this topic should have a good time with this story; after finishing it, they can delve right into the adult books by the authors and find similar stories. The books usually include maps so you know where the stories take place. This one is set somewhere around the Great Lakes region.

The book is also a springboard for thought. Twig is part of the Clovis people. What we know about the real story is that something devastating happened to them about 13,000 years ago. The writers ascribe it to one popular and credible theory. Another theory, that the authors hint at, is that the Clovis people might have disappeared in part due to simply over-hunting, proving that conservation is not a new concern.

There are also indications that this is not the last we'll see of Twig and her people, and I believe that is welcome news.

As an adult,I found the book enjoyable to read. The story line was interesting and educational. However, there are a few short violent parts that I would not want a child between 9-12 reading. I believe the authors included these parts to help create the sense of mortal danger that awaits the two young children (who are the main characters in the book) should they fail their mission. It definitely does add tension and suspense. However, I believe the graphic nature and description of the violence is disturbing enough to stick with the young reader after they put the book down.

I would agree with one of the other reviewers that suggest you read it first, and then read it to your kids. I would add, delete the violent parts or summarize and make them a bit less violent.

A couple of earlier reviewers have outlined the plot so I won't take the reader's time repeating what has already been said.

This is the first of the Gear novels I've read and it seems to me that the authors are not quite sure whether they wish to write an adventure story or a speculative investigation of prehistory. Of course, there is nothing at all wrong with trying to do both at once. Anything that opens young minds to learning is not a bad thing. Still, "Dawnland" never quite seems to find its footing. One page is anthropology and geology, the next a rather bland story with a predictable plot.

In consequence, I do not think this book will find a particularly wide audience. The cover describes it as a young adult novel but I cannot imagine it holding the attention of anyone past middle school. The young person most likely to enjoy "Dawnland" is a brighter-than-average 5th-8th grader who is socially mature enough to move beyond texting and My Space-ing and determined enough to read through some rather slow-moving narrative.

The story certainly endorses conventional social values. I cannot imagine it offending any parents other than perhaps those convinced that the earth was created along the lines of Archbishop Ussher's chronology. The introduction to theories of global extinction and the speculative view of prehistorical daily life are worthwhile excursions into areas of learning too often neglected in our tragically undemanding public schools.

Overall, a sound, not terribly exciting novel that mixes simple science with a mildly entertaining story line. I have no reservations about recommending it even to conservative parents.

As with all the Gear"s books, I was hooked from the very first sentance. I own every book in paperback that the Gear"s have written in this series and have reread most of them. If you are looking for a GOOD hard to put down type book this is it. As always it is best to start with the first book of a series. You will not be disappointed. This I can promise.

Arrived on time and just like new condition. Can't get enough of these authors and they are so accessable on amazon

We wait in breathless anticipation for the Gears to weave their special magic, blending science, history & intrigue into a story. They do it in such a way, it leaves you in wonder.

This was an enjoyable read about characters you came to care about; and a fascinating period of time. Not just for youths,