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[Following is a volunteer review of "Strong Heart" by Charlie Sheldon.]

Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon centers around the story of a teenage girl coping with many issues. Sarah, a rebellious 13 year old, arrives unexpectedly at her grandfather's house who didn't even know of her existence. Her grandfather, Tom, is getting ready for a camping trip with his friend, William, and William's daughter, Myra. Tom lives on the Olympic Peninsula and the camping trip to Olympic National Park has been planned for quite a while. Tom has some concerns about taking Sarah along to the rough country, but William convinces him that they should bring her with them.

The Olympic National Park is known as a land of "magic, history, and legend". The group is planning to visit grave of Tom's grandfather, and during the hike to Bear Valley, Tom fills them in on the fact that he has some "unfinished business" there.

When they first arrive at the park, the group encounters some surveyors that work for Buckhorn, a company that wants to do mining there. Some support the company because it will bring jobs to the area; others are against it due to the damage the mining would do to the environment.

Amongst the backdrop of the Olympic National Park, Sarah confronts her family difficulties and is less than enthusiastic about hiking and camping. She sees a bear while off on her own and does a sketch of it. When she gets back to the camp, she shows the others the sketch, and Myra informs them that it is a short face bear that has been extinct since the Ice Age. Tom is skeptical about Sarah's sighting and this angers her. As the story continues, the group experiences many challenges and complicated situations.

This epic adventure has many subplots in addition to the main story, but to discuss them would give away many spoilers. Suffice it to say that there are many controversial issues; such as, the reality of Sarah's visions, Big Business verses Native Americans, man verses nature, and man against man. Although there are many conflicts, the narrative is never preachy.

There are underlying themes like love of family and love of self. There are a lot of changes in store for Sarah, and the changes greatly impact her character. She develops a sense of dignity and compassion through her experiences, and she loses her tendency towards the selfishness that some young teens possess.

Although the heroine of the book is thirteen, I wouldn't recommend it for younger readers. I think it is more appropriate for mature readers because of some of the intensity of the subject matter and the depth of the plot. This story encompasses much more than just simple camping trips; it includes historical facts as well as legends. There is humor and sadness, love and hate, forgiveness and revenge.

One of my favorite quotes in the book is "You frighten him because you are not frightened of him". It describes the strength of Sarah's character, and shows that although she is young, she is mighty. The other characters are well-developed without being overpowering. For the most part, the story flows along smoothly, but there are some abrupt transitions between past and present.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes adventures, history, Native American legends, and the great outdoors. There is a suggestion of romance, but it is not a major theme of the story. I give this book a 4 out of 4 stars.The writing and editing is superb, and this is a great novel, leaving the reader with a lot to contemplate.

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Strong Heart
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Like BookReader+6's review? Post a comment saying so!

Your review aptly summarizes the book. It was indeed rich in heritage, but had a lot going on in the side. It's just the long descriptions that got to me sometimes, but I'm glad you enjoyed it. Great review!

Cotwani wrote: ↑29 Sep 2018, 02:24 Your review aptly summarizes the book. It was indeed rich in heritage, but had a lot going on in the side. It's just the long descriptions that got to me sometimes, but I'm glad you enjoyed it. Great review!

Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

BookReader+6 wrote: ↑28 Sep 2018, 11:34 One of my favorite quotes in the book is "You frighten him because you are not frightened of him". It describes the strength of Sarah's character, and shows that although she is young, she is mighty.

I love this line too. And your description of it! This sounds like an interesting story. Extinct bears... mmm...
Great review

Bianka Walter wrote: ↑01 Oct 2018, 08:45

BookReader+6 wrote: ↑28 Sep 2018, 11:34 One of my favorite quotes in the book is "You frighten him because you are not frightened of him". It describes the strength of Sarah's character, and shows that although she is young, she is mighty.

I love this line too. And your description of it! This sounds like an interesting story. Extinct bears... mmm...
Great review

It is a very interesting book, and you have to read it to find out more about the extinct bear!

This seems to be an interesting book and I have to agree with you about it being too mature for young readers. Also, it's endearing to learn that a rebellious girl learns about compassion through her experiences at such a young age.

Hiruni Bhagya 81 wrote: ↑02 Oct 2018, 02:08 This seems to be an interesting book and I have to agree with you about it being too mature for young readers. Also, it's endearing to learn that a rebellious girl learns about compassion through her experiences at such a young age.

I think you'll really like this book. It focuses a lot on Sarah's development through the adventures she experiences. Thanks for stopping by!

I like the way you sum up the conflicts, such as the clash between Big Business and native rights. You brought out the way being in the great outdoors triggers something primal.

ButterscotchCherrie wrote: ↑03 Oct 2018, 03:00 I like the way you sum up the conflicts, such as the clash between Big Business and native rights. You brought out the way being in the great outdoors triggers something primal.

Thanks for commenting; there is something primal and raw about the book.

I love your summary. I enjoyed this book also. Great review!

Your review draws out the beauty of this book very well - it's not a book I woyld normally choose, but I found the story quite compelling.

LaurenHaupt wrote: ↑06 Oct 2018, 12:29 I love your summary. I enjoyed this book also. Great review!

Thanks for stopping by, I'm glad you liked the book too!

Julie Green wrote: ↑06 Oct 2018, 12:33 Your review draws out the beauty of this book very well - it's not a book I woyld normally choose, but I found the story quite compelling.

I agree that the story is very compelling, and I'm glad you chose to read the book; it is quite beautifully written! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

I like the "ancient" part of this book better than the present day story. I do agree Sarah is a great character. It did get a little confusing the first time the stories "jumped". I'm torn on whether to read the second book or not. Thanks for your great review.

jcoad wrote: ↑06 Oct 2018, 18:47 I like the "ancient" part of this book better than the present day story. I do agree Sarah is a great character. It did get a little confusing the first time the stories "jumped". I'm torn on whether to read the second book or not. Thanks for your great review.

I didn't know there was a second book, but I'm not sure if I would read it either. I liked this one so much, and sometimes a sequel doesn't live up to your expectations. Thanks for stopping by!