The Boy Who Ran

Excellent story! A bit like "Clan of the Cave Bear" but with Native Americans. It's a easy read that keeps you turning the pages.

The Boy Who Ran by Michael Selden is a captivating and illuminating tale. Set six thousand years ago in North America, a boy is protected and saved by his mother during the brutal massacre of his tribe. "You must be silent," she warns him. "Run and do not stop." The mother's final words and the circumstances of his abandonment continue to haunt and guide him. Taken in by a tribe, they fail to see beyond the boy's silence and strangeness as he lives with his grief and loneliness. He finds joy in the forest where he runs and learns from his surroundings, the wildlife especially, and later, as he grows, from the hunters. Equipped with intelligence, speed and strength of character, he gains valuable knowledge and skills in enterprising ways. The boy faces his trials with the aid of Grey wolf and support from Morning song who is a rather lovely character. Dark sun however, provides a challenge to which the boy rises with surprising results. Beautifully researched, the era is well captured and I could envision the scenes as they unfolded. Interesting facts are incorporated and delivered throughout the book in a very accessible manner. I was especially taken with the craftsmanship and weapons description, particularly that of the Atlatl which predates the bow. Time measurement was also explained well. The People's love and respect for the land and the animals that sustain them is strongly evidenced within the pages, and the reader gains an appreciation for the simpler though harsh times when groups of people worked together closely. Everyone has a job to do, from collecting plants for medicines, to hunting and killing for food. There is no waste in this society. The story moves at a good pace with well executed action scenes, and allows the reader into the minds of the characters, including the animals. White flank's role is particularly inspired. This book held my attention at all times, and I desperately wanted the boy to be safe and succeed in his trials. A story of courage, perseverance and friendship, this book belongs on all shelves for children aged nine to ninety.