Review by TeacherLana -- Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon
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TeacherLana
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- Latest Review: Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon
Review by TeacherLana -- Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon
[Following is a volunteer review of "Strong Heart" by Charlie Sheldon.]
If you are going to venture into the wilderness of the Olympic peninsula, it’s best to go with two or three others, preferably strong companions with some survival skills. You will, of course, need sleeping bags, tents, and maybe author Charlie Sheldon whose hikes in Olympic National Park have instilled in him a love of the woods that is evident throughout Strong Heart. Sheldon spent several years as a commercial fisherman on the east coast before going to sea with the Sailor’s Union of the Pacific. Like all sailor’s, he loves a good tale and has been writing them all his life. With Strong Heart he’s produced a marvelous coming-of-age tale set in the Pacific Northwest.
As Tom Olsen and his friends, William and Myra, are about to leave on backpacking trip, Tom’s granddaughter, Sarah Cooley, shows up on his doorstep. Sarah is thirteen years old, lonely and stubborn after being rejected by her family. The three friends aren’t sure they should include Sarah on what they know will be a rigorous hike, but Tom has planned for weeks to go into the woods to make sure his grandfather’s grave is secure. William, a Native American, believes that taking Sarah to her ancestor’s grave would honor his spirit. Myra agrees and the two convince Tom to take Sarah along so they can all get to know each other.
Sarah is convinced there’s nothing but water, mud and trees in the woods. She isn’t happy backpacking in the ‘boonies’ with people she hardly knows. Tom is worried that Bob-Bob’s grave may be in danger now that the Buckhorn mining company is ready to begin work in the valley. He teases Sarah relentlessly about a bear she claims to have seen, one that’s been extinct for thousands of years.
In legends and fairy tales, the woods are a place of mystery. The forest is filled with all kinds of danger young must confront if they are to become adults. Sarah runs away into the wilderness when her grandfather’s teasing becomes too much to endure. Sarah’s journey into the forest is extraordinary both for the events it encompasses and the courage it teaches her. She meets new people who become important to her. And she develops skills that give her confidence and strengthen her sense of self.
Strong Heart is determined to explore life in all its natural wonder. Sheldon’s sentences are as clear and crisp as the snow on the mountains, with writing that depicts the warm summers of the peninsula filled with an abundance of wildlife. “Once you get up high, back in here, in addition to peaks, glaciers and snowfields, there are miles and miles of open alpine terrain, basins, lakes and fields of heather, blueberry and paintbrush.” The beauty of the mountains is irresistible, with the author emphasizing it ruggedness that makes sylvan dwellers like Tom, William and Myra respect their surroundings.
The core of this book is the riveting plot. Although the characters are believable, it is the action of the plot that keeps the story alive. The characters make quick choices that dictate future events; Tom decides to take Sarah with them backpacking rather than stay home. Pete joins the search for Sarah when she runs away. The reader is captivated by the excitement of events as the story unfolds. There is an emphasis on conflicts between the characters as each situation develops. Throughout the book, plot twists determine how each character evolves, how they change in their outlook as they are exposed to unforeseeable situations. Even as the story comes to an end, the author does an excellent job of keeping up the suspense.
This book argues that we should enjoy the beauty and wonder of the nature and not take for granted its limited resources. Sarah’s story is quite lengthy, but Strong Heart is an exceptional read that helps explain the powerful ties Native Americans have to the land of the Americas. For its plot and lively dialogue, I rate it a 4 out of 4 stars. I found only one error in editing where a word was repeated too many times. There is a minimal amount of profanity.
Those who enjoy adventure fiction will find this novel an attractive choice. As any good story will do, Strong Heart asked me to research the evidence for how long people have lived on this continent and to consider visiting the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
******
Strong Heart
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
If you are going to venture into the wilderness of the Olympic peninsula, it’s best to go with two or three others, preferably strong companions with some survival skills. You will, of course, need sleeping bags, tents, and maybe author Charlie Sheldon whose hikes in Olympic National Park have instilled in him a love of the woods that is evident throughout Strong Heart. Sheldon spent several years as a commercial fisherman on the east coast before going to sea with the Sailor’s Union of the Pacific. Like all sailor’s, he loves a good tale and has been writing them all his life. With Strong Heart he’s produced a marvelous coming-of-age tale set in the Pacific Northwest.
As Tom Olsen and his friends, William and Myra, are about to leave on backpacking trip, Tom’s granddaughter, Sarah Cooley, shows up on his doorstep. Sarah is thirteen years old, lonely and stubborn after being rejected by her family. The three friends aren’t sure they should include Sarah on what they know will be a rigorous hike, but Tom has planned for weeks to go into the woods to make sure his grandfather’s grave is secure. William, a Native American, believes that taking Sarah to her ancestor’s grave would honor his spirit. Myra agrees and the two convince Tom to take Sarah along so they can all get to know each other.
Sarah is convinced there’s nothing but water, mud and trees in the woods. She isn’t happy backpacking in the ‘boonies’ with people she hardly knows. Tom is worried that Bob-Bob’s grave may be in danger now that the Buckhorn mining company is ready to begin work in the valley. He teases Sarah relentlessly about a bear she claims to have seen, one that’s been extinct for thousands of years.
In legends and fairy tales, the woods are a place of mystery. The forest is filled with all kinds of danger young must confront if they are to become adults. Sarah runs away into the wilderness when her grandfather’s teasing becomes too much to endure. Sarah’s journey into the forest is extraordinary both for the events it encompasses and the courage it teaches her. She meets new people who become important to her. And she develops skills that give her confidence and strengthen her sense of self.
Strong Heart is determined to explore life in all its natural wonder. Sheldon’s sentences are as clear and crisp as the snow on the mountains, with writing that depicts the warm summers of the peninsula filled with an abundance of wildlife. “Once you get up high, back in here, in addition to peaks, glaciers and snowfields, there are miles and miles of open alpine terrain, basins, lakes and fields of heather, blueberry and paintbrush.” The beauty of the mountains is irresistible, with the author emphasizing it ruggedness that makes sylvan dwellers like Tom, William and Myra respect their surroundings.
The core of this book is the riveting plot. Although the characters are believable, it is the action of the plot that keeps the story alive. The characters make quick choices that dictate future events; Tom decides to take Sarah with them backpacking rather than stay home. Pete joins the search for Sarah when she runs away. The reader is captivated by the excitement of events as the story unfolds. There is an emphasis on conflicts between the characters as each situation develops. Throughout the book, plot twists determine how each character evolves, how they change in their outlook as they are exposed to unforeseeable situations. Even as the story comes to an end, the author does an excellent job of keeping up the suspense.
This book argues that we should enjoy the beauty and wonder of the nature and not take for granted its limited resources. Sarah’s story is quite lengthy, but Strong Heart is an exceptional read that helps explain the powerful ties Native Americans have to the land of the Americas. For its plot and lively dialogue, I rate it a 4 out of 4 stars. I found only one error in editing where a word was repeated too many times. There is a minimal amount of profanity.
Those who enjoy adventure fiction will find this novel an attractive choice. As any good story will do, Strong Heart asked me to research the evidence for how long people have lived on this continent and to consider visiting the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
******
Strong Heart
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon
