Children of the Dawnland

Just like all the People of books by the Gears, this one is just as sweeping and facinating. I only wish that some day I can visit America and go to some of the places mentioned in the books and maybe meet one or some of the wonderful native people of America.

At the end of the Ice Age, when glaciers are melting and the world is changing, 12-year-old Twig will discover she has talented Spirit dreams and powers that defy her mother's instructions to ignore them. Her journey is set thirteen thousand years ago, in what is now the border between Canada and the U.S., and provides a riveting story about a visionary girl whose quest affects her entire people. A fine pick for young adult and adult readers alike.

12,900 years ago twelve-year-old Twig is a girl living with the Blue Bear Clan of the People of the Dawnland. This is the end of the Ice Ago so the glaciers are melting and receding while rivers and lakes threaten to overflow. Twig's mother is a Spirit Dreamer who can not see the future, and is not nearly as powerful as her daughter whose vivid visions include a ball falling from the sky destroying everything in its path. Riddle refuses to allow Twig to learn how to use her powers or tell anyone in the clan about them. The clan elders of Baffalobeard Village are more worried about the Thornback people; Chief Nightcrow is destroying all villages in his path hoping his warriors will bring his clan to a safe place. He has the same mission as Twig as he believes a catastrophe from the sky is coming. Twig learns from Spirit Dreamer that she must find the dreamer Cobia who is the last hope to enable the clan to survive. Taking place during the last ice Age, glaciers are everywhere in what today is the Great Lakes region. The clans are in trouble with a shortage of animals to hunt. Twig eventually tells the village elders that after the catastrophe occurs they will have a place where they will not only survive they will thrive. Nightcrow is determined to find them before they do and after the event will settle in the land of his visions. Readers will appreciate this terrific prehistoric supernatural thriller that combines some fantasy inside a realistic portrayal of survival. Harriet Klausner

I have not read the other books by these authors. This is their first children's book-geared toward middle school age children. I found the book to be interesting and a fast read. At times, I was concerned that the violence and apocalytic themes would not be suitable for middle school children. By the time I was done reading the novel, however, I felt that it would be ok for my middle school age child to read. I felt that the violence was much less than what is on the news every night or what she reads in the paper, and similar in violence to many of the disney movies. For people concerned about whether it is appropriate for their child, I would encouarge you to read it first. Because it deals with different cultures and spiritual beliefs (I think it is most like native indian culture) the book talks about things that some people may not agree with like "dreaming", which is like having psychic premonitions, and spirit guides. I personally don't have a problem with this and like for my children to be exposed to different beliefs and cultures but recognize that other parents would find this objectionable. I really like that the main character is a girl and that she is portrayed as strong, capable, and a leader. Not knowing any of the history behind this book, I can not speak as to the accuracy. However, the authors are well regarded. I liked the brief history that is presented in the front of the book before the story as well as after the story. The story itself was written in a way that it was easy to imagine the characters, the landscape, and the struggle of the people. I would enjoy reading more books by these authors. I will update this review after my daughter reads the book. UPDATE 8/1/09: My 12 year old daughter loved this book. She loved the main character being a strong girl, she loved learning about the history, and loved the story line. But that is as much detail as i could get out of her. She said she would definitely recommend it to her friends and is glad she read it.

Hard to put down early Native American historical fiction told through the eyes of a 12 year old girl. I would have read this in one sitting had I had the time. Mammoths have disappeared and the climate is changing in frightening ways. Twig, 12 summers old is struggling to find her place in her troubled tribe as the tribe dreamer. Some of the fighting between tribes is graphic and tension is high so probably best for 4th grade and up although most 3rd graders would be able to read it. While written in fairly simple language it gives a clear picture and feeling of what that time would be like. Middle school students especially 6th graders studying prehistoric culture will find this book a great addition to their social studies reading list. I would put the reading level as late 3rd grade reading level but very high interest that would keep an 8th grade student interested. As an adult I found this book very engaging.