Dancing Moons [Hardcover]

Nancy Wood (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1995

The world is hard up for the simple things that abound in nature. We long for what nature can reveal, the essential truths that connect us to the core of life itself. Following the spiritual philosophy of the Pueblo Indians of New Mexico, who have been her teachers for over thirty years, Nancy Wood shares her awareness and appreciation of the complex, magical world around us. These poems and meditations, following the Twelve Great Paths of the Moon, reveal old, enduring truths that may help each of us on our journey.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up?Wood has organized her cycle of poems in homage to Native American philosophy around the Twelve Great Paths of the Moon of the Pueblo Indians. Each section is preceded by a meditation (January's Man Moon begins?"January's great path of the moon is solitude. Each day is part of an infinite puzzle, interlocked with all the preceding days and the ones that follow."). Within the section, each poem is accompanied by a stunning painting that is also inspired by Native American mythology. The book is visually gripping and gorgeous; its clean typeface and sharp white borders set off perfectly both paintings and text. Unfortunately, while Wood clearly has a deep devotion to and respect for Native American philosophy, as she so eloquently demonstrated in War Cry on a Prayer Feather (Doubleday, 1979; o.p.), her own words in this collection ring more of New Ageisms that seep into adult conversations than poetry. She writes in "Invitation to Life"?"I invite you to life/and you send regrets...I'll issue no more invitations/to you. The party's been/ cancelled, the guests won't arrive/in time to find me having/A dance all my own. You see,/I invited myself to my life/and finally accepted." This book, although written with noble intentions, should be declined.?Kathleen Whalin, Greenwich Country Day School, CT
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Woods' own poems accompany paintings by Frank Howell in this fine collection, based on Native American wisdom. It's difficult to assign an age level to this collection, but kids at the middle school level and many an adult will find it absorbing and varied. -- Midwest Book Review

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 80 pages
• Publisher: Doubleday Books for Young Readers; First Edition edition (September 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385321694
• ISBN-13: 978-0385321693
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #478,367 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reflections from a Medicine Lake, November 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Dancing Moons (Hardcover)

I have never quite understood why Nancy Wood's poetry collections are classified as "young adult". Her deep wisdom and clarity are more likely to be more fully appreciated by adults. This is a wonderful gift book for transitions times: graduations, marriage, death of a loved one, etc. Her poems are liking looking deep into a Medicine Lake where one sees the very fabric of life and all the its intricate connections. Frank Howell's paintings will fill you with awe and haunt your dreams.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "A precious collection of thoughts for everyone.", June 21, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dancing Moons (Hardcover)

I first read Nancy Wood's Dancing Moons after visiting Santa Fe and seeing Frank Howell's gallery. The words and thoughts that Wood has shared with the reader are thoughtful and energising. I find myself going back to her writings for guidance often,for myself and to share with friends and loved ones. I am appreciative of the emotions she has shared with us. Her talents as an expressive writer are world class.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Special book to collect, April 7, 2008

By 

Fenella Raines (Sydney Australia) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dancing Moons (Hardcover)

Natural spirit-filled poetry accompanied by stunning colourful artworks.
I hear the book is out of print so I would recommend getting a copy on Amazon as it is a collectable to pass down with meaning in your family.
If you have interest, respect, or intregue like the Native American Indian culture for nature, spirit, the earth, and heartfelt connections to all, then this is a beautiful book that you will appreciate. A special find.