HOME SCHOOL BOOK REVIEW
Book: Dreamsong of the Eagle
Author: Ted Andrews
Illustrator: Deborah Hayner
Publisher: Hampton Roads Publishing Company, 2002
ISBN-13: 978-1571742940
ISBN-10: 1571742948
Related website: http://www.hrpub.com (publisher)
Language level: 1
(1=nothing objectionable; 2=common euphemisms and/or childish slang terms; 3=some cursing and/or profanity; 4=a lot of cursing and/or profanity; 5=obscenity and/or vulgarity)
Recommended reading level: Ages 3 and up
Rating: ***** (5 stars) EXCELLENT
Reviewed by Wayne S. Walker
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Andrews Ted. Dreamsong of the Eagle (published in 2002 by Hampton Roads Publishing Company Inc., 1125 Stony Ridge Rd., Charlottesville, VA 22902). In a small Native American village, a girl is born who cannot speak. The people assume that she is stupid, so she escapes their taunts by spending her days in the woods. About the same time in the same village a boy is born who is clumsy and out of rhythm. He too turns to the woods where he and the girl together learn to love the animals and take care of them. One day the two save a young injured eagle whose parents have been killed. In appreciation, the eagle teaches them how to fly so that they can go through the sun to the land of the eagles.
Their families miss them and begin looking for them. What will happen to the pair? Will they ever be able to return home? Dreamsong Of The Eagle is a unique storybook for intermediate to advanced readers. Some may object to the New Age mystical background of author Ted Andrews (1952-2009) and the presentation of American Indian religious beliefs. However, if considered simply as a thoughtful and engaging fairy tale for young readers that deals with how to treat people who have developmental differences, there should be no harm. It would be of special appeal to those interested in Native American culture.
