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I wanted to read this book because I have spent time in the Anza Borrego Desert where the majority of this book took place, and I have studied the local Native Americans. I really enjoyed the story aspect of this book and think Holman chose an interesting parallel between the movies of the 1930s and the reality of Native Americans. Unfortunately, she made some errors in their lifeways. The Indians of southern California ate acorns rather than corn, and the eucalyptus leaves that play an important role in the Forever Day "poultice" in the 1700s could not have been used. Eucalyptus trees were introduced to California from Australia many years later. Does this matter? Not if you want a good story, but yes, if the book is used in a classroom to teach local history.

Colly's mother has died in a car accident and his father Matt is a stuntman in Hollywood. Matt has hurt his back doing a stunt and has to rest for a while. Colly and Matt decide to go to a desert while Matt is resting. They are going to stay at a small house that used to belong to Matt's father. When they arrive, they are surprised to find two Native Americans named Benjamin and Ozro. Ozro, a boy about Colly's age, has a great time showing Colly around the desert. A museum company is digging up ancient Indian artifacts that belonged to Benjamin and Ozro's ancestors. One day, Colly decides to do a little exploring by himself to find gold for Benjamin and Ozro. He finds himself very exhausted and hot when he reaches the place where he thought gold might be, but he is determined to find gold, so he continues on. Colly doesn't realize that he has crossed into the "Forever Day." The "Forever Day" is a tragic day for the two shamans that repeats over and over. Sparrow and his Grandmother die in this forever day, so this means that they die every day. Colly somehow entered the forever day and met Sparrow. Sparrow thought that if Colly could find Sparrow and Grandmother's bones and give them a proper Indian burial ceremony, they could be free from the "Forever Day." Colly questions why, but Sparrow just says that he will see. Colly is unsure of this, but he wants to help Sparrow and his Grandmother. After a few hours of talking with Sparrow, Colly is instructed to hide. Colly obeyed and was surprised at what he saw. He saw Sparrow and Grandmother running towards a cliff . Close behind them were white men with guns! Suddenly, there was a loud bang and Grandmother and Sparrow were flying off the cliff! Suddenly, Colly forgot what he was supposed to do to help Sparrow and Grandmother.

This book is good for anyone who is in the mood for a really great adventure with lots of suspense.