Crossing The Panther's Path [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Elizabeth Alder (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up

A YALSA 2002 Best Book Nominee

After braving a blizzard across the wilderness to join his Mohawk mother and Irish father, fifteen-year-old Billy Calder meets the Shawnee chief Tecumseh. Based on a true story, this is rousing historical fiction about young soldiers and the terrible events culminating in the War of 1812. (20020701)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

A novel based on the true story of Billy Calder, Tecumseh's translator and aide during the War of 1812. The teen is half Irish and half Mohawk, educated by the Jesuits, fluent in many languages, falling in love, and fiercely dedicated to the cause of the Indians and the British in the war. Once initiated into his mind and culture, readers will be walking trails, canoeing streams, riding horses, and fighting battles along with him. Throughout, he clearly matures and develops, but only as an idealized character, which accomplishes the author's apparent aim of raising him to heroic status. The valuable Native American perspective is important: William Henry Harrison is cast in an extremely negative light that rarely is illuminated in textbooks, and the generalized American ambition is shown to do what it indeed did, that is, destroy the homeland and much of the culture of the native peoples. Such historical aspects are so well woven into the text that they are at once unnoticed and accepted as part of the story and how things were at the time. Libraries should have copies of the novel to share with the many readers who will enjoy it. -Andrew Medlar, Chicago Public Library, IL
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 6-8. The author of The King's Shadow (1995) offers another novel rich in history. Fifteen-year-old Billy Calder, son of a Mohawk mother and Irish father, is anxious to work with Tecumseh, a Shawnee chief who is hard at work trying to mobilize the Indian tribes between the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to rebuff the constant encroachment of American settlers in the early 1800s, and Billy's linguistic talents make him a valuable interpreter for the Shawnee warrior. As a member of the chief's inner circle, Billy observes the assistance given by the British army that led to early victories at Mackinaw and Detroit; the intense dislike between Tecumseh and American General William Henry Harrison; and the events leading up to Tecumseh's death at the Battle of the Thames. Alder's novel goes a long way toward explaining the issues and events of the War of 1812, especially as they pertain to the campaigns fought in the upper Midwest and Canada. Readers will identify with Tecumseh's plight and come to understand, if not agree with, the British and American points of view. Kay Weisman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Press; 1 edition (March 2, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786250135
• ISBN-13: 978-0786250134
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,343,664 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Crossing the Panther's Path, October 4, 2006

By 

William Wallace (KY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crossing the Panther's Path (Hardcover)

A 15 year old boy named Billy Calder, son of a British soldier and a Mohawk woman leaves school to join Tecumseh, the chief of the Shawnee. In Ohio they attempt to forge an alliance with many Indian nations to keep Americans from taking their homeland.

This is a book for more say a reader that has some knowledge of American History and a desire to learn more about history. It was enjoyable to read about a true historic event with a character in the book exactly my age. You may tend to think that Billy is a fictional character but he is not. This makes the book more enjoyable for teens to read.

The book was very well written and gave an accurate portrayal of what life was like during the Indian's struggle to keep their homeland. I would certainly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an adventure in a historical fiction novel.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Crossing The Panthers Path, April 24, 2006

By 

TigerTown "TigerTown" (Versailles, Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crossing the Panther's Path (Hardcover)

One morning in the middle of a snow storm, a man showed up on his horse at this cabin.
This mans name was Tecumseh. He wants to ask Billy Calder a question. So he ask Billy if he wanted to be a translator for his warriors. So Billy said ok. The next day they left and went to Fort Detroit. Billy talked to every one at the fort. The Indians are having a war since the Americans want to take their land for ever. So then they have big war with the Americans. I can't really tell you any more else I will ruin it.

I would recommend this book for both boys and girls. If you like to read war books or action books this is the one. Or if you like history books like me.

The part I disliked is when the Americans would burn the good people's houses and then would kill them.
The part I liked is when the Americans and Indians fought. Since I like action.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Crossing The Panthers Path, April 24, 2006

By 

vtown (Versailles, Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crossing the Panther's Path (Hardcover)

One morning in the middle of a snow storm, a man showed up on his horse at this cabin.
This mans name was Tecumseh. He wants to ask Billy Calder a question. So he ask Billy if he wanted to be a translator for his warriors. So Billy said ok. The next day they left and went to Fort Detroit. Billy talked to every one at the fort. The Indians are having a war since the Americans want to take their land for ever. So then they have big war with the Americans. I can't really tell you any more else I will ruin it.

I would recommend this book for both boys and girls. If you like to read war books or action books this is the one. Or if you like history books like me.

The part I disliked is when the Americans would burn the good people's houses and then would kill them.
The part I liked is when the Americans and Indians fought. Since I like action.