The Silent Stranger: A Kaya Mystery (American Girl Mysteries) [Paperback]

Janet Shaw (Author), Jean Paul Tibbles (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2005 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: American Girl Mysteries

Kaya's village is preparing for the powerful winter Spirit Dances when an injured stranger arrives. The young woman doesn't speak, and no one can reach her but Kaya's beloved dog, Tatlo. Who is the stranger, and why is she so silent and alone? Will she bring harm to the village--or take Tatlo away from Kaya? Kaya searches for clues about the woman-- but she must look deep inside her own heart to truly understand her. When she does, Kaya not only solves the mystery but takes a brave step toward growing up.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 4-6. In this entry in the Kaya Mystery series, the tribe is preparing for the winter Nez Perce Spirit Dances when an injured stranger arrives. The young woman's hands are badly burned, she sleepwalks, and she seems unable to speak. Despite misgivings, the tribe takes the woman in, and Kaya tries to befriend Hawk Woman, as she calls the stranger, even though the woman takes Kaya's dog, Tatlo, for her own. It's only after Kaya rescues Hawk Woman from a snowstorm that she finally learns the stranger's story. Shaw's narrative emphasizes tribal values (caring for the less fortunate, honoring the deceased) and the everyday life of the Nez Perce prior to European contact. There's not much drama beyond uncovering Hawk Woman's story, and the ending seems somewhat contrived, but readers who have enjoyed Kaya's previous mysteries will want to read this all the same. Kay Weisman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: American Girl (March 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584859903
• ISBN-13: 978-1584859901
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 5.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #424,761 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #98 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Multicultural Stories > Native North & South Americans

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great mystery for Kaya fans., February 24, 2005

By 

Rebecca Herman (USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Silent Stranger: A Kaya Mystery (American Girl Mysteries) (Paperback)

Kaya and her band of Nez Perce Indians have settled into their winter home in the Salmon River Country, and are preparing for the upcoming winter Spirit Dances. One day, two of Kaya's cousins find an injured young woman lost in the wilderness. They bring her back to the village. Kaya names the stranger Hawk Woman, and is determined to reach her. But Hawk Woman refuses to communicate and seems lost in her own world, and Kaya's beloved dog, Tatlo, seems to have abandoned Kaya for this strange woman. Kaya is worried that Hawk Woman may want to harm them, and so she decides to try and find out where the woman has come from, and why she was all alone.

This is good historical mystery that fans of the American Girls Collection, in particular those that are special fans of Kaya, are sure to enjoy. It's a longer, more detailed story than the other American Girls Collection books, so readers who are beginning to outgrow the regular books will appreciate the added length. It can also be enjoyed by girls who haven't read other American Girls books but who love historical mysteries. I really enjoyed this book, and I look forward to reading the other books in the new American Girls mystery series.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rich with values and conflict that are sure to keep readers occupied long into the night, February 8, 2007

By 

Erika Sorocco (Southern California, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Silent Stranger: A Kaya Mystery (American Girl Mysteries) (Paperback)

While Kaya still feels that she is mourning her beloved friend, Swan Circling, who recently passed on, she can't help but feel excited to be getting ready to celebrate the winter Spirit Dances. It is during these dances that Kaya's village will finally speak of Swan Circling, and wish her a happy passing, as well as celebrate the spirits of the past. While Kaya is helping to prepare these celebrations, she will spend much of her time looking after the little ones, as she has not yet been on her vision quest. Therefore, she is still considered a child. However, when a mysterious stranger arrives in Kaya's village, injured, and refusing to speak - either vocally or through signs - Kaya finds herself looking after more than just children, but looking after the silent stranger, as well. The stranger looks harmless, but, at night, she thrashes about, the victim of horrifying dreams and nightmares that plague her once the sun goes down; and, in the day, she takes Kaya's dog, Tatlo, with her as she explores the mountains, and searches for something that no one else can see. Kaya is confused as to why this stranger is not only silent, but why she is traveling alone, without a tribe. With the help of some of her friends, she attempts to uncover exactly what this stranger is here for, and why she acts so unresponsive and ungrateful at the friendly gestures her tribe provides to the woman. But, as Kaya digs deeper, she learns of a secret that the woman is keeping. One that even she did not know was hidden beneath her heart. And Kaya, even at her young age, must look inside her own heart, and place her dislike for this stranger aside, in an attempt to help save her from the demons that are riddling her mind, and give her some comfort. But sometimes it's hard for someone as young and Kaya to make an impact on an adult. Especially an adult who wants to be left alone to wallow in her own misery.

While I have read almost every AMERICAN GIRL book that has ever been released, I have never had the pleasure to read Kaya's tales, so THE SILENT STRANGER was actually my first taste of Kaya's lifestyle, and family. I can, in all honesty, admit that it will certainly not be my last. I have been fascinated with the ways of Native Americans for years, and always enjoyed the addition of them in the Kirsten Larson books, so I was extremely happy to see many of the customs they celebrate featured in this particular mystery. Kaya is a wonderful character, whose kind heart, caring nature, love for her animals, and do-good attitude make her appealing from the get-go. Her inner struggle to help the mysterious woman who invades her village, while at the same time feeling a dislike towards her for hogging Tatlo is invigorating to read about, and really gives the reader a chance to view conflict first-hand. I adored the fact that there is a blind character, Kaya's sister, Speaking Rain, as she truly illustrates the struggles of a blind girl in such an era - from relying on her sense of hearing and smell to really experience everything around her. Speaking Rain, while not being featured much throughout the story, is a heroic character, and her inclusion in the tale will, most certainly, teach readers more about facing life with such a disadvantage, and how appreciative they should be of their own health; while, at the same time, making her an interesting, unique character, who is both independent and brave, and extremely lovable. The interactions she shares with Kaya are enjoyable, and it's delightful to see no sign of sibling rivalry between the two of them - just sisterly love. Rich with values and conflict that are sure to keep readers occupied long into the night.

Erika Sorocco

Freelance Reviewer

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Story teaches value of nonjudgment, January 31, 2006

By 

Sonja's Mom "kbocho" (Cumming, GA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Silent Stranger: A Kaya Mystery (American Girl Mysteries) (Paperback)

Kaya tries to befriend an injured stranger who is brought to their village. The women either can't or choses not to speak. When the woman does not respond the way Kaya expects she has difficulty trusting the woman. Much of the plot is discussed already so I will just add my thoughts. This book teaches the importances of not passing judgment based on how things and people may appear on the surface. Yes there is a sad part when a dog is killed by a cougar, but I feel death is something most kids of an age to be reading this can handle the way it is portrayed. My daughter is only 5 and very emotional so I told her prior to reading the book that I had heard that a dog dies in the book and did she think it would be too sad to read, she asked if it was Tatlo and I told her I didn't think so. (It's not.) She chose to read it anyway and I think having the information to expect the sad part made it better in her case. The conversations we have had based on this book have been wonderful. I do recommend that parents consider reading this book with their child as it has many good points to discuss. In my case I read it to my daughter but with an older child you could have them read it to you. I thoroughly enjoyed all of the Kaya books probably as much as my daughter did.