Dar and the Spear Thrower [Paperback]

Marjorie Cowley (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

A young boy living 15,000 years ago in southeastern France is initiated into manhood by his clan and sets off on a journey to trade his valuable fire rocks for an ivory spear thrower.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6-On the verge of the ceremony that will initiate him into manhood, young Dar, a Cro-Magnon boy, faces the conflicts in his life: his demanding uncle who has no tolerance for his nephew's desire to carve, his grandmother's growing frailty, and his own fears. When he wanders farther than usual one day to check some snares, he meets a man from a different tribe. The man, Toreg, has a device that enhances the distance he can throw his spear. Determined to trade for it, Dar leaves his tribe and begins a journey that will change life for his entire clan. The plot moves swiftly and there is sufficient character development to maintain readers' interest. The historical detail is accurate, and the setting clearly described. Cowley's narrative reads aloud well, and could certainly be used as an introduction to not only the time period but also to the idea that over time, though our technology has advanced, human emotions remain amazingly constant.
Ann Welton, Terminal Park Elementary School, Auburn,
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 5-7. Coming into manhood during the Cro-Magnon age is the essence of this middle-grade novel. Set within the framework of carefully researched information about early humans, the common concerns of all young men--their attempts to wean themselves from their mothers' (or grandmothers') nurturing and their defiant need to prove themselves to their friends and father figures--are paramount. Smaller than the only other boy his age and, frankly, frightened of his pending adult responsibilities of hunting and protecting his clan, Dar leaves his family in search of the stranger who offered him a spear-thrower (bow and arrow) in exchange for his sun stones. He has decided that the trade will benefit him and his people even though he must sacrifice the fire starter, the only link he has to his deceased grandfather. Cowley has created a fast-paced, truly interesting coming-of-age novel for younger readers based on a little-known but fascinating period of history. The only drawback? The book jacket. Readers will assume the story is about a girl. Far from it! Make sure this doesn't become a barrier to access. Frances Bradburn --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (October 18, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 039579725X
• ISBN-13: 978-0395797259
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #885,118 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Super for Sixth Graders!, November 28, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Dar and the Spear Thrower (Paperback)

I am a sixth grade teacher in the Los Angeles area and have read this book with my students during our study of prehistory. The story is engaging, easy for kids to read, and correllates to the curriculum perfectly. Last year we had the honor of having Marjorie Cowley visit our school. She brought slides and artifacts to share with the students, and discussed the writing process with them. It was a wonderful experience for my students: to actually meet the author of a book they had read was very memorable for them. I encourage all teachers of prehistory to use this book with their students!!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great adventure about an Ice Age boy., May 13, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Dar and the Spear Thrower (Hardcover)

This is the story of 13 year old Dar, who lived in southern France during the last Ice Age. In his quest to obtain a beautifully carved spear-thrower after his initiation to manhood he learns new skills and ideas that he can use to help change his people's way of life.

The author, who has taught prehistoric archaeology to grade-school students has produced a well written, entertaining book.

Unlike "Malu's Wolf" and "Maroo of the Winter Caves" we finally get to read about a Cro-Magnon boy

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Emily's Book Review, December 6, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Dar and the Spear Thrower (Paperback)

Would you like to know about a stone age's boy's adventure to a unknown camp? Then the book Dar and the Spear Thrower is the right book for you. This is a Historical fiction book, written by Marjorie Cowley, about a boy named Dar, his manhood ceremony and a frightening journey to a strange unknown camp.

This book takes place 10,000-8,000 years BCE. Dar's mother passes away when Dar is young and Dar's father is killed by a daggered-tooth cat that Kenok, his Uncle, thought was a spirit-creature sent to test him. Mora, his grandmother, and kenok take the place of his parents. Mora's brother ran away from his clan when he was young and has never been seen since. After Dar's initiation ceremony, Dar sets off for a strangers camp after a incident in the woods. If you want to see all of the obstacles Dar faces and read about frightening moments that may make you jump then read this book.

To me this book is very exciting because of the challenges he faces and mastering a weapon he has never heard of before. If you are interested in adventures, reunions, and ceremonies, then pick Dar and the Spear Thrower today.