Author: Robert L. Hunton
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 194 pages
Publisher: Open Books Press (November 12, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0984575189
ISBN-13: 978-0984575183
Book description: A twelve year-old Tohono O'odham boy and his grandfather embark on a hazardous journey across Arizona's borderland desert to the summit of legendary Baboquivari Peak to seek the spirits of their ancestors. Treacherous mountain passes, ruthless drug smugglers, and the mystery of ancient petroglyphs prove the ultimate test of their dedication to one another on a quest to the place where I'itoi, the first O'odham, walked Mother Earth.
Book review: Gift of The Desert Dog is even more than the description puts forth. It is the bond between a boy and his grandfather. It is the hope of a troubled boy for his father to change and bring peace and happiness to the family again. It is the discernment of a young man regarding the path he will choose in life: to persist in anger and mischief, to leave at this age for an academy for gifted children or to postpone his higher education until college choosing, instead, to stay with family. All this is wrapped into a wonderfully warm and patiently told tale of a boy coming of age and embracing his heritage in the Arizona desert.
I could not help but be swept up in the life of Danny Rivas. I found myself deeply immersed in the tension, unfolding mystery, love and Native American spirituality that is woven throughout this story.
The only thing that troubled me was the author's use of broken language (w-what, I-I've, h-how, etc) to show emotion. It wasn't at all necessary and only made the characters sound like they were stuttering...but the story is otherwise written so well that I ignored this.
Gift of The Desert Dog is well worth a read. I look forward to more from this author.
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