Review by Erika Storbeck -- Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon
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Erika Storbeck
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Review by Erika Storbeck -- Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon
[Following is a volunteer review of "Strong Heart" by Charlie Sheldon.]
In Strong Heart the author Charlie Sheldon introduces the characters to us. They seem like quite average people. As you read on you realize that they share a special bond which has roots much deeper than friendship. Tom, William and Myra share an ancestral history. Then unexpectedly Sarah arrives. Tom is informed that she is his granddaughter. He does not doubt it as she looks exactly like her mother. Not having a lot of options William suggests that Sarah accompanies them on their planned trip into Olympic Park. At first Sarah is not very happy about the idea but manages to bear with it. She loves drawing and takes her sketchbook with her. While relaxing near camp she sees a bear and sketches it. The men think her sketch is inaccurate. Myra though recognizes it to look like a short face bear. Only one problem, they have been extinct for centuries. Sarah senses that nobody fully believes the sighting. At a camp near her great grandfather’s gravesite she gets upset and walks off. She disappears. Search and rescue parties assist but she is nowhere to be found. After eight days she reappears during a thunderstorm. She is worn out with a head injury and part of one finger missing. She shares with them an experience she had during her absence which is so incredible it is hard to believe. She has also changed. Sarah is now “Strong Heart”. She proves it by walking all the way back to the car regardless of her weakened physical state and her injuries. The next season they return to Olympic Park in order to retrieve the atlatl she had lost when she disappeared. There is also a possibility of finding answers regarding the atlatl and the mystery of Sarah’s experience. Sergei joins the group and sparks fly between him and Myra, but he believes Sarah. The second trip leads them on the same trail as the first but things are different. Their lives are in danger and they face the challenge of getting out of there alive. Will they make it?
Strong Heart is an excellent book. The sentences are short which is beneficial to the fluidity of the story. It is also representative of the way the old Indians spoke. Events are chronological and interaction between characters are realistic and easy to associate with. The historic and archeological facts have evidently been researched extensively and are conveyed professionally without being boring. According to my own research regarding ice ages and the origin of Native Americans the information are factually correct. The maps at the beginning of the book are geographically accurate. Another aspect I found admirable was the friendship between the characters. They accept each other for who they are. They are patient with each other’s limitations and shortcomings. They render assistance without hesitation and their cooperation is exemplary. Their loyalty, honesty and perseverance sets a good example for all of us.
What I did experience negatively, was the use of the Lord’s name. The word “Jesus” is used several times throughout the story. It is a clear violation of the third of the Ten Commandments. Being serious about religion, it made me feel upset, although I see the relevance of its use in the contents of the story to express anger or disgust. The words “pissed”, “Asshole” and “sh*t” also appear occasionally but with it being part of everyday vocabulary I did not find it disturbing.
I rate Strong Heart 4 out of 4 stars. The book is professionally edited. It is a totally enjoyable book regardless of the foul language which slips in now and then. Sarah’s experience with Thin Hair and his group is intense. She tells it like she is reliving it and she has the injuries, weakened physical state and calloused hands to prove it did happen. The timespan and distances travelled versus the period of time she was missing creates an element of mystery. This story within the story secures the rating as the mixture of reality and mystery ensures you will not put the book down.
Strong Heart is a real page-turner. It is filled with interesting characters and events. It includes a tremendously fascinating tale of loyalty, endurance, suffering, and in the end, growth. Sarah changes from a typical teenager from the city into “Strong Heart” who is a mature knowledgeable nature person with values far exceeding her age. Young or old if you value friendship and has a sense of adventure you should definitely read Strong Heart.
I look forward to our next adventure in Olympic Park.
******
Strong Heart
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
In Strong Heart the author Charlie Sheldon introduces the characters to us. They seem like quite average people. As you read on you realize that they share a special bond which has roots much deeper than friendship. Tom, William and Myra share an ancestral history. Then unexpectedly Sarah arrives. Tom is informed that she is his granddaughter. He does not doubt it as she looks exactly like her mother. Not having a lot of options William suggests that Sarah accompanies them on their planned trip into Olympic Park. At first Sarah is not very happy about the idea but manages to bear with it. She loves drawing and takes her sketchbook with her. While relaxing near camp she sees a bear and sketches it. The men think her sketch is inaccurate. Myra though recognizes it to look like a short face bear. Only one problem, they have been extinct for centuries. Sarah senses that nobody fully believes the sighting. At a camp near her great grandfather’s gravesite she gets upset and walks off. She disappears. Search and rescue parties assist but she is nowhere to be found. After eight days she reappears during a thunderstorm. She is worn out with a head injury and part of one finger missing. She shares with them an experience she had during her absence which is so incredible it is hard to believe. She has also changed. Sarah is now “Strong Heart”. She proves it by walking all the way back to the car regardless of her weakened physical state and her injuries. The next season they return to Olympic Park in order to retrieve the atlatl she had lost when she disappeared. There is also a possibility of finding answers regarding the atlatl and the mystery of Sarah’s experience. Sergei joins the group and sparks fly between him and Myra, but he believes Sarah. The second trip leads them on the same trail as the first but things are different. Their lives are in danger and they face the challenge of getting out of there alive. Will they make it?
Strong Heart is an excellent book. The sentences are short which is beneficial to the fluidity of the story. It is also representative of the way the old Indians spoke. Events are chronological and interaction between characters are realistic and easy to associate with. The historic and archeological facts have evidently been researched extensively and are conveyed professionally without being boring. According to my own research regarding ice ages and the origin of Native Americans the information are factually correct. The maps at the beginning of the book are geographically accurate. Another aspect I found admirable was the friendship between the characters. They accept each other for who they are. They are patient with each other’s limitations and shortcomings. They render assistance without hesitation and their cooperation is exemplary. Their loyalty, honesty and perseverance sets a good example for all of us.
What I did experience negatively, was the use of the Lord’s name. The word “Jesus” is used several times throughout the story. It is a clear violation of the third of the Ten Commandments. Being serious about religion, it made me feel upset, although I see the relevance of its use in the contents of the story to express anger or disgust. The words “pissed”, “Asshole” and “sh*t” also appear occasionally but with it being part of everyday vocabulary I did not find it disturbing.
I rate Strong Heart 4 out of 4 stars. The book is professionally edited. It is a totally enjoyable book regardless of the foul language which slips in now and then. Sarah’s experience with Thin Hair and his group is intense. She tells it like she is reliving it and she has the injuries, weakened physical state and calloused hands to prove it did happen. The timespan and distances travelled versus the period of time she was missing creates an element of mystery. This story within the story secures the rating as the mixture of reality and mystery ensures you will not put the book down.
Strong Heart is a real page-turner. It is filled with interesting characters and events. It includes a tremendously fascinating tale of loyalty, endurance, suffering, and in the end, growth. Sarah changes from a typical teenager from the city into “Strong Heart” who is a mature knowledgeable nature person with values far exceeding her age. Young or old if you value friendship and has a sense of adventure you should definitely read Strong Heart.
I look forward to our next adventure in Olympic Park.
******
Strong Heart
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Man Mission by Eytan Uliel
