Click on any cover to see more about the book.
entr@pment
“[F]unny . . . reminded me of the Shakespeare comedies. The unique format was what allowed me to believe that two girls could fool their best friend’s boyfriend about who they are. . . . I had to fight off my daughter and several of the teens at our teen center because they wanted a look at the book.” –Enchanting Reviews (Amazon)
“SSSSSSOooooooo funny!!!!!!! i Loved it!” –Summer, GoodReads
“totally reminded me of something my friends and i did/would do. though it never turned out like this! haha.. be careful while testing, you might not like what happens when you get the answers...” –Crystal, GoodReads
last child
The horrific effects of the "white man's disease" are effectively shown, and Rosalie's character and world are fully realized. A fine historical novel bringing an important chapter in American history to life for young readers. –Kirkus
Powerful . . . –NEA Today
Spooner has written a compelling story, historically accurate with a vivid setting, and yet colored with sparkling characters. –School Library Journal
Action-packed prose; sharp, witty dialogue; and strong characterization . . . wonderfully suited to examining issues of cultural conflict and mixed-race youth. –VOYA
daniel's walk
"[This] exciting, well-crafted novel would make an excellent supplement to any study of the era, and it's a good read for fans of historical fiction and adventure stories, too." —Kliatt
"Spooner's adventure, set around 1844, has everything: danger, Native American myth, a gritty survival struggle, a little romance, comedy, and wonderful characters, all rolled into a quick-reading, high-interest, satisfying historical novel." — Booklist
Best Book Award, 2001 (Children's) Mountains & Plains Booksellers Association
Best of the West list 2001 —Salt Lake Tribune
old meshikee and the little crabs
“This tale will certainly become a read-aloud favorite, with the satisfying drum sounds written into the text and the colloquial, comfortable voice in which Spooner (A Moon in Your Lunch Box, etc.) and Taylor tell it. Just as original and fresh are the slightly abstract watercolor and block-print illustrations by newcomer Hart.” –Kirkus
"This picture book presents a traditional tale told in a colorful way, with colloquial speech and great drumming opportunities for the teller. . . . An entertaining read-aloud that shows the lighter side of Native American folktales." –Booklist
a moon in your lunch box
Spooner has a special ability to evoke imaginative, childlike rumination and delight (``Mud Love'': ``my little bare feet/squirm sweetly in the mud/and the mud/grubbies them snugly/mud gloves . . . snuggles them grubbily/mud love''). He uses apt comparisons to startle readers into new insights (``Small Miracles'': looking at the world through a telescope, a kaleidoscope, and a poem) and, frequently, evocative phrases (``this great wet walloping day''). Humor isn't the dominant note, but there's enough for leavening." –Kirkus