The Healer of Harrow Point [Paperback]

Peter Walpole (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2000 | Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

Thomas Singer is eleven years old. Soon, on his twelfth birthday, his father will present him with his first shotgun and take him on his first deer hunting trip. Thomas longed to go hunting all his young life, until the day he saw poachers shooting a deer, until the day he meet Emma.

That day, as Thomas watched the wounded deer fall, something magical happened: a mysterious old woman suddenly rushed out from among the trees, laid her hands on the graceful animal, and somehow completely healed it. That day his life changed forever.

With Emma's guidance, Thomas learns to heal and communicate with animals-forcing him to realize he could never kill one. Now his whole world is turned upside down. He loves his father and doesn't want to disappoint him; in his father's eyes, being a man is to go hunting with men. But his birthday is coming fast, and soon he will have to choose.

In the tradition of Where the Red Fern Grows and Old Yeller, The Healer of Harrow Point is a classic coming-of-age story in which a young boy learns the beauty of life, the folly of violence, and the secrets of true friendship.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Poet, book reviewer, and National Public Radio essayist Peter Walpole's first book touches the hearts of young and old. Easy enough to read for most pre-teens, yet tight and engaging enough for the more mature, The Healer of Harrow Point is a value-teaching book of real merit. Like Old Yeller or The Education of Little Tree, it's a classic coming-of-age tale that presents freshman-level metaphysical concepts such as intention, immortality, and "the oneness of all beings" in a down-to-earth, understandable fashion. Parents who hope to warn their teenager about the danger of firearms or the negative effects of seeking peer-group approval will find this an excellent choice. But be warned: anyone who picks up The Healer of Harrow Point will find that it's impossible to put down. If a movie studio hasn't purchased the movie rights yet, they should--Healer has an action- and emotion-packed plot that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. --P. Randall Cohan

From Publishers Weekly

Spiritual and metaphysical in its theme, this atmospheric first novel describes an 11-year-old boy's growing awareness of the sacredness of all living things. The story begins as Thomas sees a poacher shoot a deerAand then sees an old woman touch it and restore it to perfect health. Mesmerized, Thomas seeks out the woman, Emma, and, after struggling with his father's hope that he become a hunter, Thomas undertakes to learn all of Emma's hallowed arts and to inherit Emma's role as "healer." If Emma's wondrous abilities aren't conveyed with particular imagination or delicacy, they are very clearly linked to the recognizable wonders of the natural world. Walpole embeds the mystical elements in lyrical and careful observations of woods, animals and people; he has the rare ability not only to offer fresh descriptions of nature but to do so without impeding the flow of the plot. His writing bears watching. Ages 10-up. (June)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Hampton Roads Publishing (March 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1571741674
• ISBN-13: 978-1571741677
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,205,184 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars please read!, May 9, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Healer of Harrow Point (Paperback)

I am a 6th grade student and thoroughly enjoyed this book. Once engaged in this book the action is terrific. I stayed up past 10:30 p.m. to finish this magicial, heart-warming, book.I would recommend this book to anyone with a love for animals, or anyone that likes a believable fantasy.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Book that Made My Day, April 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Healer of Harrow Point (Paperback)

I just read this book today and have already recommended it to my 4th grade son's teacher, his principal, and about 45 of my friends on an e-mail mailing list. I plan to recommend it to more, especially to friends with kids in the pre-teen or early teen range. I finished reading the book while picking my 8th grade son up from school and had to quickly reach for the dark glasses to hide the tears in my eyes. I didn't want him to think it was a "mom cry" story because then he might be less likely to read it. I shall encourage both my sons (as I would encourage daughters if I had them) to read this book. It is a truly touching coming-of-age story, wonderfully written. I felt while reading it as if it were being read to me; the language flowed that smoothly. A must-read for parents and kids (probably 4th grade and up) or parents and kids together.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A story for Animal Lovers of all ages, April 16, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Healer of Harrow Point (Paperback)

Mr. Walpole tells a lovely story--and in a kind, intelligent voice. He speaks sweetly without being sappy, and delivers a message as appropriate for young adults as it is for their parents and grandparents. I look forward to re-reading (and re-reading again)"Healer of Harrow Point," and sharing it with all of my animal-loving, great-story-loving friends