Death on Sacred Ground

Reviewed by Karma Barry (age 13) for Reader Views (11/07) Harriet K. Feder has the logical creativity that is required for the writing of a superb mystery story, which is also reflected in her writing and kept me guessing through the entire book. However, I do believe that there should be more description on places and persons, whether they are of major importance or not, both to bring you farther into the character's world and bring more suspicion or curiosity about the final page and ending. There were only very minor mistakes in grammar, such as placing a period where a comma should be, but the mistakes were simple enough to understand what the author was saying and, in my opinion, not big enough to worry over. I also liked the use of vocabulary with words such as `autonomy.' I would suggest this book to children between the ages of 12 and 15 who enjoy attempting to solve the murder before the truth is revealed or those who just like to read for their pleasure; those whose parents are divorced, like my self, may be more likely to relate to the characters than those whose parents are still married. "Death on Sacred Ground" also provided a learning experience about different religions and new cultures, in a finer detail than I knew of, while at the same time teaching me how to use deductive reasoning. And though I am not one to normally read murders or mysteries I enjoyed the book all the same, and I may be missing a couple pages from how quickly and desperately I wanted to know the truth.

This book was wonderful. I really enjoy the Vivi Hartman adventures. This third edition to the seeming series is as good as the first and second. Vivi and her father travel down to an Indian Reservation for a funeral. All is not as it seems though. Vivi finds that the town is up in arms over the circumstances of the girl's death. Can Vivi figure out who did it before it is too late? Buy to find out.

Death on Sacred Ground is a supremely readable, exciting, suspenseful contemporary sequel in the Vivi Hartman mystery series. The plot is intricate but not too complicated; it nicely weaves together the storyline and characters, by including their ethnic, cultural, religious and social lives. The setting is a rural though remote western New York community. A high school student has been found dead on sacred Indian ground, shot by an arrow, presumably murdered. An honor Native-American Iroquois student disappears and becomes a suspect. Vivi gets involved, when she accompanies her Rabbi father, who will conduct the funeral. As a middle school educator, I appreciate the honest, authentic manner in which the author depicts not only the Iroquois but other school minorities and factions in a non-urban environment. Stereotypes are dispelled, but reality is not glossed over. Dialogue is good, realistic, right on target. The young people are shown to be deeply connected to their traditions, something the casual observer and peers may fail to see and perhaps dismiss. Even the savvy Viv whouses Torah logic to solve the murder, was surprised and "embarrassed by her ignorance" when she sees her friend dressed for the Midwinter Festival in eighteenth century Iroquois clothing. By participating in each other's ceremonies Viv, her Iroquois peers and of course the reader realize the similarities and universality of their traditions. In summary, Feder has written a fast paced, engaging mystery. High school and advanced middle school students will love it. Amherst, New York