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Ghost Over Boulder Creek

Kristis Book Nook

https://kristisbooknook.blogspot.com   

Reviewed by: Kristi Bernard

Review Date: Sunday, July 22, 20121

Title: Ghost Over Boulder Creek
Author: Elaine Pease
Illustrator: Cathy Morrison
Publisher: Filter Press LLCISBN: 9780865411050 Review:

Run Through Fire was a half-white and half Cheyenne twelve-year-old. He was the only one of his tribe who hadn't yet killed a buffalo. Until he did this one task he would not be looked upon as a hunter or warrior. Determined to succeed, he sets out on his own. One night on his hunt he was surprised when a spirit visited him and took him back to the time of the Sand Creek Massacre. He had survived along with others of his tribe. The spirit tells him that he is destined to survive another attack.

Run Through Fire's entire tribe was later captured by General Custer's men. As a result, Run Through Fire was forced to say good-bye to his mother and the other survivors of his tribe to go on a journey with Buffalo Bill to Fort Dodge. Run Through Fire's only thought was to escape to freedom. He would find just the right moment to escape, to blend in, especially since he could pass for white. Once he acquired his freedom he would return to his land and free his people. Run Through Fire would begin his long journey to becoming a man.

Pease has done an excellent job of bringing true life events from the late 1800's to life. Young readers will recognize familiar historical people such as General Custer, and Buffalo Bill. Boys and girls alike will want to read up on The Washita River Massacre and Sand Creek Massacre, to learn more details about these true events. Pease adds a fictitious character, Run Through Fire, to engage readers and to give them a special person they can relate to and cheer for. This easy to read tale would be an excellent addition for any home library or classroom.

 

 

Ghost Over Boulder Creek

 

Feathered Quill Book Review

P.O. Box 304    Goshen, MA 01032  

info@featheredquill.com    

Reviewed by: Ellen Feld

Review Date: February 2011

 

“Indian lore, a dangerous journey, a brave young Indian, a plucky girl who will risk all to help her friend, a great mystery and a ghost story await the young reader who opens the pages of Elaine Pease’s debut novel, Ghost Over Boulder Creek.

Run Through Fire is a twelve-year-old Cheyenne brave who has seen a lot in his twelve winters. The child of a Cheyenne mother, Smiling Moon, and a white father, William Tull, the boy considers himself a Cheyenne and lives among his mother’s people in Oklahoma. His father used to visit as much as he could while working as a ranch hand in far away Colorado until the day he was taken away by white men who accused him of being a horse thief. Run Through Fire never saw his father again, although he hoped to one day travel to Colorado to learn his fate.

While making camp along the Washita River, Run Through Fire’s people are attacked by the soldiers of the U.S. 7th Calvary. Most of the braves are killed and the women and children taken prisoner. Run Through Fire is brought, with his mother, to the 7th Calvary’s camp. It is here that General Custer sees the boy and decides that, given his light brown hair and blue eyes, he must be a white child who was captured many years ago. The boy is separated from his mother and soon finds himself traveling with Buffalo Bill to Fort Lyon in Colorado to find William Tull.

The journey to Colorado is fraught with danger. Young Run Through Fire must use his wits and training as an Indian brave to survive dangers that include frozen rivers and attacking Indians. Along the way, he decides it might be to his advantage to take on the guise of his white relatives and so he begins to dress as a white boy and call himself Billy Tull.

While Billy’s capture and subsequent journey to Colorado comprise about half of the story, the book takes an interesting turn when the young Indian arrives in Boulder. It is here that he meets his soon-to-be-best friend Rebecca Conner. It is also where the mystery really takes hold and best of all, where Billy meets the ghost. Without giving away the ending, the adventures Billy has with Rebecca are some of the best action scenes in the book and the story really takes a surprising turn that I suspect few readers will see coming.

Ghost Over Boulder Creek deals with some important issues, namely the mistreatment of Native Americans by the ever-increasing populations of white men. Through Run Through Fire’s eyes, the reader will experience the joy and frustration of a buffalo hunt, and then see how soldiers, having no respect for the land or animals, slaughter them by the thousands. The conversations that Run Through Fire and Buffalo Bill have are quite interesting, particularly because young readers will be able to see how two people, born of different worlds, interpret the same events. Run Through Fire at first hates this famous cowboy who has been charged with his protection but after several talks, as they make their way through snow-laden fields, the relationship slowly evolves and both man and boy grow in their understanding of the other.

Billy and Rebecca are the other highlight of this book. They are an unlikely pair, a lost Indian boy and a plucky girl with a fairly stable home life, living with her father and attending school. But the duo works well and young readers should really enjoy helping the two solve the great mystery behind Billy’s father and the ghost. Is there really a ghost?

While readers will pick up this book to read the ghost story, for parents, the enticing aspect is that it is, in essence, a history lesson cleverly disguised as a wonderful adventure story. The author introduces many historical figures, from General Custer to Chief Black Kettle, along with actual events such as the Washita River Massacre that happened during the time of Billy’s travels.

Quill says: Mystery, intrigue and a great ghost story make Ghost over Boulder Creek a book young historical fiction fans should check out!”  

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Click to read the Colorado Book Review on

 

Ghost Over Boulder Creek

 

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Read what the cover illustrator had to say about

Ghost Over Boulder Creek

Cathy Morrison on her blog

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Ghost Over Boulder Creek

2011 EVVY Award Winner for Juvenile Fiction and Cover Design.  An exciting middle grade history/mystery that follows half-Cheyenne, half-white boy, Run Through Fire on his journey with Buffalo Bill to find his father.  But ghostly images haunt him and Run Through fears for his life. An excellent choice for the social studies curriculum.

Judge's comments:  "Wow. What an incredible book to read.  I cannot imagine the amount of research that went into this story.  I love the historical facts and details, the characters, the integration of the language, and the authenticity of the voice.  The language is beautiful-- even when describing a chamber pot--how vivid and clear.  It is so well-written...I wish you the best of luck with this fabulous book.  I am sure it will be a big success."

Ghost Over Boulder Creek (hardcover) 
Price: $15.95 
 ISBN: 978-0-86541-104-3

Ghost Over Boulder Creek (paperback) 
Price: $8.95 
ISBN: 978-0-86541-105-0

 

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Even Sharks Need Friends

“It won't take long for readers to dive into this book and engage all of the senses.”

Anna Stewart, Writer
Boulder Daily Camera
Click here to read entire article

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Even Sharks Need Friends

Biblio Reads

Review Date: Monday, October 24, 2011
Book description: Meet Hammy, a big, food loving hammerhead shark who needs a friend, in this light-hearted and funny tale. The other hammeheads bully him. He tries to fit in with a band of hammerheads called Swimmy Buffet and The Coral Waver Band, a "watered-down" version of the Jimmy Buffet band. Hammy finally learns something special when a little sea urchin tries hard to be his friend; good friends come in all sizes!

 

Biblio Reads Link  
 

“What a unique story! I was intrigued by each twist and turn of the tale...a totally creative plot that far out distances many of the books that cross my desk. See how Hammy learns to be a good friend. What I really liked was the shark's conscience and his change of heart. I think any kiddo reading this will identify with the characters and incorporate the lesson into his/her life simply by being a little more open-minded when it comes to making a new friend. Loved the originality...and Gloompa is adorable! (A great plus is the material at the back of the book that parents and teachers can use for added fun for the kiddos.) ”

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Even Sharks Need Friends

“I found a lot of great information and inspiration in both your class and your critique. ... I've been thinking about you and humor since I brought home Even Sharks Need Friends. Every time I read it to my kids or my tutoring students, I chuckle a little more at all the cute and subtle jokes included in your story, which is adorable by the way.”

Beth Thaler

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Even Sharks Need Friends

“This story shares a great message about the gift of friendship. Hammy and Gloompa show us how everyone needs friends and that friends come in all shapes and sizes. Even Sharks Need Friends is a sweet story that all children will love.”

Jennifer Martin, Publisher
Boulder County Kids Magazine

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Even Sharks Need Friends

“... Besides being a fun read, this book would be a good teaching tool. Facts could be pulled from the text and expanded upon with the students. For example, after Hammy pops teeth, new ones quickly grow in to replace them. The teacher material in the back was a bonus! What an addition this would be to a home school library!”

Writer's Digest

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I'll Never Leave

“...a splendidly delightful story of a little leaf and its desire to stay with the tree it considers home. A charming and original story, filled with colorful illustrations and hidden ladybugs children can count.”

Reviewer Choice
Midwest Book Review

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I'll Never Leave

Biblio Reads

Review Date: Monday, October 24, 2011
Book description: Little Leaf loves staying on Mother tree throughout the seasons and won't leave when fall arrives. A sweet tale about bravery and the seasons of life. Fun facts on leaves in the back and crafts and activities. Find hiding ladybugs!

 

Biblio Reads Link  
 

“This is a warm, cozy tale that's perfect for this time of year as the weather begins to change and the leaves turn colors and flutter to the ground. What will happen to Little Leaf? I loved the mixed media artwork. It really characterized Little Leaf and added so much to the mood and tone of the story which was a very calm and gentle, secure feeling that will reassure little ones as Little Leaf faces her fears about the upcoming changes in her life. In a very non-obtrusive and subliminal way, this book could likely support a child facing major life changes or the death of a loved one, but that is my interpretation alone. At face value the story is genuinely bright, happy and a delightful seasonal tale. Not only is I'll Never Leave appropriate for the season of fall and all the changes it brings, but it would also thematically support life sciences for second and third grade. You'll even find creative activities at the back of the book to compliment the story and boy do they ever look fun and easy. Of all the books I have read and posted about today, this one is my favorite..”

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I'll Never Leave

“...The story follows Little Leaf as she discovers that her world will not remain the same forever. At first she is scared to leave her tree and her familiar surroundings, but with the love of her leafy family, she eventually bravely faces her future. Lavishly illustrated by Kerry Lee MacLean of "Pigs Over Boulder" fame, "I'll Never Leave" is a lovely look at how family can make an uncertain and scary situation easier to face.”

Boulder Daily Camera