In the Shadow of Sunrise
Tens of thousands of years ago, Earth Shadow is living with his clan, secure within the circle of mountains in what will much later be part of the southwest United States. He has now reached the age where he can take part in the annual bison hunt. Along with the clan’s hunters, other young boys and girls, and a number of dogs, he is accompanied by his mother, his twin brother, and “Grandmother,” which is not just a family relation designation but also an honorific title, as she is the repository of historical, geographical, and natural knowledge for the entire clan.
Earth Shadow has a leg that has been handicapped since birth, making the “Walk Around” inherently more difficult for him than for the other young ones. Still, he compensates not only by keeping up but by diligently trying to learn from “Grandmother” and all he sees around him over the days. He has an innate intelligence that becomes his ally in the quest. Not only do they hunt dangerous game in the bison herds, but they also have the opportunity to collect rocks that will be fashioned into weapons. Most interesting for Earth Shadow is meeting people from other clans. All of them must overcome lethal dangers along the way and learn from new experiences.
Geared to middle grade readers, this is a fascinating book for all. The novel imparts valuable life lessons still appropriate today. Most refreshing is that it accomplishes this subtly without being preachy or tendentious. The author is an educator of ancient and New Mexico history, and that expertise rings through vibrantly in every word of this charming work. Strongly recommended.
