Crow and Weasel [Paperback]

Barry Lopez (Author), Tom Pohrt (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

"A brilliantly written and totally original New World adventure." - Jean Craighead George

Long ago, when people and animals spoke the same language, two young men left their tribe to make an adventurous voyage through the wilderness, into the unknown northland. Set in the mythic past and inspired by the traditions of the North American Plains people, this fable of self-discovery follows Crow and Weasel as they face unfamiliar perils on a quest for knowledge and wisdom. Conquering their innermost fears, the two heroes come of age and learn more than they ever could have imagined--about humanity's relationship to the land, the importance of respecting other peoples and giving thanks, and even the ery nature of friendship itself.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this original folktale inspired by the North American Plains people, Crow and Weasel come of age together as they make a voyage into unknown territory, made vivid in Pohrt's well-researched paintings. All ages.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Two youngsters set out on a journey, encounter wonders, risk death, find wisdom, and return to tell their tale. The plot line is as old as the Babylonian epic Gilgamesh , but Lopez ( Arctic Dreams , LJ 3/1/86) gives it a style and setting that make it new. Meditative Crow and spirited Weasel belong to the Native American Plains people, but their aspirations and the lessons they learn are timeless and transcultural: to be truthful, to acknowledge the Ones Above, to value friendship, to express gratitude, to seek knowledge. The epiphanies of the quest pertain to the passage from youth to maturity, but also speak to the adult of what is truly important in life. Beautifully rendered watercolors focus on the characters and their (authentic) accouterments rather than on landscape.The picture book format may limit the book, misleadingly, to the children's section. In fact, thoughtful adolescents are the youngest readers to whom this fable will make its serious appeal.
- Patricia Lothrop, Univ. of Washington Lib. Sch., Seattle
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --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
  
• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) (September 25, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374416133
• ISBN-13: 978-0374416133
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 7 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #516,860 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Story to Share Again and Again, January 26, 2000

By 

Janice Lawry - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crow and Weasel (Paperback)

I have given more copies of Crow and Weasel away than any other book in recent years. It is the most beautiful portrait of male friendship available in any genre for children or adults. I most often give copies to young men facing some important transition in their own lives...graduation from high school or college when they too will be asked to go beyond what is familiar, and in doing so, will learn more about themselves. This is a story to share with those you love again and again. As Lopez says, "If stories come to you, care for them. And learn to give them away where they are needed..." This is just such a story.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lessons learned from a weasel..., January 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Crow and Weasel (Hardcover)

...and a crow, and many other insightful characters within "Crow and Weasel" have stayed with me since I first read it almost 10 years ago. The story itself is vibrant, almost to the point of actual narrative. Beautiful landscapes and dialogue throughout lend themselves to the imagination; I feel very much a part of what I'm reading-a true escape. And I like that it teaches me by surprise. Everytime I finish this book, I find that my joy in diversity, my desire to be kind, and my reverence for the natural world have grown. Tom Pohrt's illustrations are each works of art, and complement the story perfectly. I wish they were available as prints. Share this book with the young, and then go share it with everybody else.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book teaching social skills and diversity, November 8, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: CROW AND WEASEL. (Hardcover)

This is a good book that can be read to or by children ages 7-15. This book could be read in 2-3 hours and has natural breaks that allows you to return to the book a number of different times. The story is interesting and keeps the listeners or readers attention. I teach special education for behavior disorder students and this book is useful in teaching a variety of different social skills. I also have to sons that have enjoyed the story line and the messages that the story contains. The illustrations are colorful and add life to the books content. I highly recommend this book for any youth library.