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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Intriguing story, June 20, 2009
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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.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great but is it optimized for kids, June 11, 2009
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
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.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
terrific prehistoric supernatural thriller, July 2, 2009
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
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