Maple Moon [Paperback]

Connie Brummel Crook (Author), Scott Cameron (Illustrator)

Book Description

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

Winner of The World Guild Canadian Writing Awards
- Children_s Book category (2006)

To create this enchanting fictional account of how maple syrup might have been first discovered. Connie Brummel Crook borrows elements from some of the many prevailing traditional folk takes.

In finding this new source of nourishment, her young protagonist, a native boy named Rides the Wind, is able to help his people through a harsh winter.

His pride also boosts his confidence in spite of a physical disability, and he is able to rise above the cruel taunts of other children.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Connie Brummel Crook has written several stories about United Empire Loyalist. She was born in the area where this story takes place and currently lives in Peterborough, Ontario. Flight, Meyers. Creek and the Nellie McClung Trilogy are all novels from Stoddart Kids. Her picture book, Maple Moon is a Storytelling World Honor Title.

Connie Brummel Crook has written several stories about United Empire Loyalist. She was born in the area where this story takes place and currently lives in Peterborough, Ontario. Flight, Meyer's Creek and the Nellie McClung Trilogy are all novels from Fitzhenry & Whiteside Kids. Her picture book, Maple Moon is a Storytelling World Honor Title winner.

Scott is the illustrator of Beethoven Lives Upstairs.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 30 pages
• Publisher: Fitzhenry and Whiteside; 1 edition (January 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0773760989
• ISBN-13: 978-0773760981
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.1 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #655,065 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Connie Brummel Crook taught English in Ontario's public secondary schools for thirty years. She has two daughters and five grandchildren. Her first husband, Rev. Reginald Brown, died when their daughters were eleven months and two-and-a-half years old. She married Albert Crook eight years later. Since the beginning with Flight in 1991, eleven of her novels and three of her picture books have been published by national publishers.

Connie decided to write historical fiction in the hope of bringing to life our own Canadian heritage for students in the classroom. Only one of her fourteen published books is out of print, and most have gone to several printings. Flight, Meyers' Creek, and Meyers' Rebellion, stories in her Meyers family saga, are going to electronic format as ebooks. All her books are in public and school libraries and most of them are used in classrooms across Canada.

As a graduate of Norwood District High School, Connie Brummel Crook addressed the graduating class of 1998. Her photo and biography were then added to their "hall of fame". On July 15, 2000, Connie was one of the honourable inductees for the year into Peterborough's Pathway of Fame. Her name, with the word "Literary" inscribed under it, was engraved on one of the stones lining a pathway in that city's Del Crary Park.

On June 11, 2008, Connie received the Leslie K. Tarr Award for Outstanding Career Achievement. This award, sponsored by The Word Guild and Tyndale University and Seminary, was presented at The Word Guild's annual gala at World Vision Canada Headquarters in Mississauga.
Birthplace: Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada.
Spouse: Albert Crook
Education: B.A. in English, history, psychology (Queen's University)
Teaching Diploma: (Ontario College of Education at University of Toronto) Specialist
In Reading with the Ministry of Education and O.S.S.T.F. (Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation)
Graduate Studies: Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois, U.S.A.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars A sweet ending for a strong young man, January 20, 2012

By 

K. D. Davie "kddidit" (Denver CO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Maple Moon (Paperback)

A story of starvation and the young Missisauga boy who saved his tribe.

My Take
This was a sweet story...besides the maple syrup, I mean! It provides Rides the Wind with confidence and saves his people while reminding us to pay attention to all living beings around us. A nice story about the discovery of maple syrup as well!
It's obvious that Scott Cameron created these lovely illustrations on canvas (I'm guessing that he used pastels) which gives a quality feel to the entire story. Rich, deep colors and huge pictures accompany Crook's story beautifully.

The Story
Limited in what he can do, Rides the Wind spends most of his time outside of the social activity of his tribe. And one day in winter, while the other children are throwing snowballs and playing in the falling snow, Rides the Wind retreats with Nimoosh into the forest where he encounters a most unexpected friend. One who will help him save his people from starvation.

The Characters
Rides the Wind is a young, handicapped Missisauga boy who is taunted by some of the other kids in the tribe. His dog Nimoosh is half timber wolf and Rides the Wind's constant companion, sometimes his transport when Nimoosh pulls him on the sled his father made him.

Ninautik is the name for all maple trees. Fast as Lightning is the leading bully boy.

The Cover
It's a great cover! Cameron's has given us a triumphant Rides the Wind bringing a bowl of sweet water out of the woods with his dog Nimoosh. I liked the strip of leather at the top highlighting the title.

The title refers to the time of year for harvesting the sweet water. I must confess I got pretty hungry for some venison after reading this...

5.0 out of 5 stars Maple Moon, December 13, 2010

By 

chris - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Maple Moon (Paperback)

This was a very good book about a boys challenges in life and overcoming them. It told of discovering and enjoying the sweet Maple sap that comes from the trees. It was a good book for third and forth grade ages.