Kokopelli's Flute [Hardcover]

Will Hobbs (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 30, 1995

Visiting an Anasazi cliff dwelling known as Picture House, Tep interrupts artifact thieves in the act of ransacking the place and is able to salvage nothing but an ancient bone flute, which unleashes strange powers when played.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8?This unique and compelling fantasy/adventure is set in northern New Mexico. The mood is created immediately as Tepary Jones, 13, sets out to view a total eclipse of the full moon from the ruins of a cliff dwelling near his family's farm, but the quiet mystery of the Ancient Ones is shattered by illegal pothunters. Tep finds an eagle-bone flute they leave behind, and his adventures become complicated by a magic older than the ruins. He finds himself changing into a bushy-tailed woodrat each night, which both hinders and helps him to find the pothunters; develop drought-resistant seeds with his father; and save his mother from the hantavirus, a disease thought to be contracted from rodent droppings. Both parents are scientists and have encouraged their son to enjoy and respect nature, and to help preserve the variety of life on earth as well as the beauties of the past. They are both fully developed individuals who capture and hold readers' interest. Even Dusty, the dog, has a rare personality. Hobbs vividly evokes the Four Corners region and blends fantasy with fact so smoothly that the resulting mix can be consumed without question. Subplots flow together naturally, and ancient stories and sensibilities become one with modern lives. Outstanding characters, plot, mood, and setting combine in this satisfying and memorable book.?Darcy Schild, Schwegler Elementary School, Lawrence, KS
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 6^-9. When 13-year-old Tepary Jones and his dog Dusty are camping out at the Picture House, an ancient Anasazi cliff dwelling not far from his father's Seed Farm, they encounter some grave robbers. After scaring them away, Tepary cannot resist taking the small bone flute the thieves left behind. Playing the ancient flute marks the beginning of a strange yet fascinating story, for Tepary triggers his gift as a changeling, and each night after dark, he becomes a pack rat. Ludicrous as this may sound, the novel works because of Hobbs' easy style and his ability to make readers suspend disbelief. Additionally, the information that young people will learn about ancient farming and seed-gathering practices and the habits of desert animals, especially pack rats--all part of Hobbs' obvious but unobtrusive environmental message--make the story not only an entertaining fantasy, but also an interesting ecological education resource. Frances Bradburn

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum; 1st edition (October 30, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689319746
• ISBN-13: 978-0689319747
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,098,670 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

WILL HOBBS is the author of eighteen exciting outdoor adventure novels for upper elementary, middle school and young adult readers, as well as two picture book stories. Seven of his novels have been named Best Books for Young Adults by the American Library Association, and Ghost Canoe, Will's first mystery, won the Edgar Allan Poe national award for Best Young Adult Mystery. The ALA's list of the "100 Best Young Adult Books of the 20th Century" includes two of Will's titles: Far North and Downriver.

A graduate of Stanford University and a former reading and language arts teacher, Will lives with his wife, Jean, in Durango, Colorado. Visit Will's website at www.willhobbsauthor.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I liked this book so much that I couldn't put it down!, April 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Kokopelli's Flute (Paperback)

I think everyone should read it! This book is about a boy named Teparary Jones that went to the picture house. When he was in it he saw some robbers that were taking things. They had dropped a bone flute of Kokopelli's. He didn't play it because it had Kokopelli's spell on it. You should read this book! Alex Jize, 5th grade

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Summer School Super Review, July 23, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Kokopelli's Flute (Paperback)

The book is good because it's exciting and there is a lot of truth in it. We liked that Tepary turned into a packrat. Changelings are cool!! The book was good, especially Ringo. The book was a good adventure book - it was written well. It was adventurous! Note to the readers: If you like adventure books and mystery books, you'll like this a lot!! You don't know what's going to happen. Tepary and Dusty are the main characters

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kokopelli's Flute, Kristin V., May 1, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Kokopelli's Flute (Paperback)

Kokopelli's Flute is a wonderful book. That is why I gave it five stars. It is about a boy named Tepary who loves the ancient Native Americans and ancient artifacts. One day he found out much more than he ever knew about the Native Americans secrets. It is a very exciting book with many true facts about the Southwest, desert animals, and the Southwest Native Americans. Yet, it is a mystical magical book that everyone should read.