Journal Entry 1 by SenjasTome from Kansas City, Missouri USA on Sunday, February 11, 2007

A classic about prejudice fear and complete denial it an extrodinary time and possiblity. 

Journal Entry 2 by mrmccann from Festus, Missouri USA on Tuesday, February 20, 2007

I have not read this, but it is a classic sent from my mom, who adores books and the magic they hold over me. I am excited about readng it! 

Journal Entry 3 by Skylerdragon from Parkville, Missouri USA on Monday, June 04, 2007

Thanks mom! This book looks like a good one for the kids. I selected part of it for my summer adventure program. Once we have read it in class, I will be making another journal entry.

To learn about the author, link here.

I have also journalled this book here and here. 

Journal Entry 4 by Skylerdragon from Parkville, Missouri USA on Saturday, August 11, 2007

Author Conrad Richter presents a paradox rich with American tradition, values, and beauty. The characters are archetypes of ancient cultures and the events are ethereal visions of the past. Still Richter weaves this tale with vivid details that captivate readers through generations.

True Son, the kidnapped child of a pionneer family, is raised by Cuyloga and his Lenni Lenape tribe of Indians. Richter places True Son in a difficult situation when he is returned to his family as part of a peace treaty. But 12 years of resentment, natural freedom, and purity in purpose and life have turned True Son against the society he was born to.

Slowly he learns the ways of his white family and is slightly bent by their ways. But his heart and mind never leaves his family of the forest. Then one day, opportunity affords him the way home. His return to his native bretheren though is bittersweet as he faces his priorities.

Richters writing ins colorful and detailed. He uses an omnipotent voice and laces it with native American vocabulary. The reader sees the world through the eyes of True Son. Colors, movements, lands, skies, animals, and trees have a renewed value and slowly the reader learns to value these things, long forgotten by white society.

I enjoyed reading these descriptions and hearing them from an Indian voice. Still the bittersweed ending is hard to swallow, like a chalky stone that has been dried on a barren road. The history, conflict and traditions revealed here are everlasting. Readers will contemplate the roll life plays and the strange twist of fate we each must face. 

Journal Entry 5 by halonhakkaaja from Kuopio, Pohjois-Savo Finland on Wednesday, September 12, 2007

What a wonderful surprise! Thanks a lot Skylerdragon for sending this. And thanks for the other things too. The book looks really interesting! 

Journal Entry 6 by halonhakkaaja from Kuopio, Pohjois-Savo Finland on Tuesday, October 16, 2007

An interesting story, but also a sad story. I have the next reader already on my mind.. 

Journal Entry 7 by Valpuri from York, North Yorkshire United Kingdom on Thursday, October 18, 2007

Journal Entry 8 by Valpuri from York, North Yorkshire United Kingdom on Saturday, April 26, 2008

Very moving and sad book. True Son has the priviledge (or curse?) to see the both sides of the story, and eventually he gets caught in between the cultures, not belonging to either one of them. This book got me thinking how difficult it is to stop violence or racial prejudices, once they have become a "natural" part of societies. If you are the only one who sees the whole picture, there really isn't much you can do if you don't want to be left alone by both sides.

I had previously read the book A Country of Strangers by the same author (Finnish title for that book is Kivityttö.) I found it interesting that Conrad Richter has actually written two books of the same theme, just twisting the main characters' sex and racial background around. I wonder if the author has wanted to show us how life between two cultures is very hard, no matter who and where you are.