Product Description

At the southernmost tip of New Jersey lie the resort town of Cape May and its sparkling sandy beaches, sheltering the Delaware Bay. Formed by melting glaciers thousands of years past, the Delaware River flows from its headwaters to spill into the Delaware Bay. And for thousands of years, fragments of quartz rock have ridden the river, plucked from the mountains lining its banks. Polished and buffed as they tumble along, these rock particles dazzle like gemstones when tossed onto Cape Mays sandy shores. Beloved by beachcombers, these diamonds are the daughters of the river, linking the states past and present.

Customer Reviews (2)

Enhanced our visit
I took this book on our vaction to Cape May and read it to my grandchildren.The 8 year old was more interested than the younger ones and it enhanced our visit to Sunset Beach where we found some Cape May diamonds. I think I'll take it back next time and try to interst the 6 and 4 year olds.

The Legend of the Cape May Diamond (Legend (Sleeping Bear))
I was born and raised in SJ near the Delaware River, growing up we always went to the Jesey Shore but never to Cape May.As an adult a friend took me to Cape May & introduced me to Cape May Diamonds. About 5 years ago I moved to Florida and now I came home to NJ for vacation. Recently my sister & I took her daughter(3) & my granddaughter(6) to Cape May. While there we hunted Cape May Diamonds. I bought this book to commemorate our day at the shore. The book is a find and a should be put on your keeper shelf - beautifully written story & marvelous illastrations. I intend to give it as a gift to my adult friends who like me love Cape may & Cape May Diamonds. ... Read more

Product Description
An authorized translation of the tribal history of the Leni-Lanape Indians--later known as the Delaware Indians--who have lived in North America longer than any other Native American people. "The Red Record" depicts their nearly 2,000-year-long migration out of Asia and across the pre-Columbian North America. 183 photos; 22 line drawings; 18 maps; 28 charts. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Flimfammery!
A "poetic" paraphrase of Rafinesque's early nineteenth century hoax.The so-called "Delaware" or "Lenape" text is a patchwork of words culled from early Moravian missionary sources, strung together without regard for grammar or semantic structure.It's a transparent fraud.The so-called "pictographs" are, likewise, a fabrication of Rafinesque.The eminent scholar of Delaware culture and language, Dr. David Oestreicher, in his lengthy doctoral dissertation, has completely demolished any flicker of a notion that this work has any legitimacy, whatsoever.It was ever unknown to the Delaware Tribe of Indians, now headquartered in Bartlesville, OK; and their council has summarily dismissed it.Every resurrection of this work, as an "authentic" production of the Lenape Indians, constitutes another hoax perpetrated on an unsuspecting public--even if done unintentionally.In the end, this is a just another White Man's fiction, masquerading as an Indian narrative.

Awesome Story!
Several years ago I was stuck working in an office, so for some relief after gulping down food at lunch, I retreated to the sanctuary of the local public library just down the street. To my amazement, I discovered a whole range of books on the Native people of the United States. Most of what I had read was negative in nature until finding this book.
I checked it out, brought it home and proceeded to absorb the whole essence of what the author was trying to say. Although it came from the perspective of a descendant of the most recent immigrants;Europeans; nevertheless, it was to me and eye-opening experience. The pictographs are wonderful, the story is magical. It is a pity that I hadn't found it sooner. The story of the Lenape sounds like the whole story of mankind, complete with Creation, floods and evil serpents like the account in Genesis and records of their leaders just as Kings and Chronicles contain in the Holy Bible. I felt a sort of kinship with these people, even though I have never met any Lenape personally and though I am a Christian, I sensed the presence of God in their tale as well.
I live in West Virginia and there is a Petroglyph near to my home that I have visited several times. A Petroglyph is a rock with carvings from some past culture chiseled upon it. The carvings are very similar in nature to the ones in the Red Record so it is quite possible that some of the Shaman of their tribe may have been in my area hundreds of years ago.
All I can say is this book will open your eyes to the rich history and culture of the Native people. I know it will make you want to beat the drums and sing their song.

Self Hating Whites are a pain in the . . . .
Read jessito's review. What is your problem dude? The book is interesting, the lenni lanape are interesting, but your white bashing is a bummer. Just because you have a problem with your own race doesn't mean you need to"share." Talk to a shrink.

The Delawares are a veryinteresting people, and their history, particularly their role in the earlyWest of the 1830s and 1840s is not widely known. Its a great book. IgnoreJessitos "white business" and read the book. Dave

This book is awesome.
Scientists and Native Americans argue amongst themselves and each other about if/when/how the Indians reached North America.Much of the so-called debate in the popular press is shallow and insipid.

Here we have the written pictograph record, along with accompanying orally transmitted songs- and translation, of the Lenni Lenape people, known to us white folks asthe Delaware (named for some dead white guy).The Lenni Lenape wereacknowledged as "grandfathers" among the Lenape family of tribes,known to us white folks as the Algonquian language group, the largestlanguage group of Native Americans in North America.

The Wallum Olumbegins with the mythical creation of the world, the entry of evil andstrife, and a great flood.Sound familiar?

Then, things getinteresting, as the tale takes on a more historical character, discussing amigration, perhaps from somewhere near Lake Baikal, north, until the icysea is reached.

Lacking a land bridge to "stumble" (as onewhite guy put it) across, the Lenape set out in boats and explore abeautiful country to the east.When the icy sea freezes over, 10,000Lenape cross in an arctic night, after a debate on the subject.

They finda North America already populated by humans.They interact with theseothers as they migrate across the continent - Iroquois, Moundbuilders,others.And as they migrate, they leave a trail of splinter groups ofLenape peoples, Yurok, Wiyot, Salish, Blackfeet, Cree, Cheyenne, Shawnee,Nanticoke, etc..Finally they reach Delaware and wait a few hundred yearsto get"discovered" by whites.

Well, I apologize for tellingso much of the story, but it is really a fascinating story, and DavidMcCutcheon does a much better job of telling it than I can, so go check itout.In addition to translating the Wallum Olum and including otherstories of the Lenni Lenape and other Lenape tribes that illuminate theirculture and migration, he also provides plenty of sound analysis tying thestory to the various geographical locations I've hinted at.

This bookblew my mind.I wonder what we'll learn when we take a serious look at thestories of other Native Americans. ... Read more

Product Description
In warm and glowing paintings, two Native American girls from different times--the past and the present--live through the seasons, side by side, in the warm embrace of their families. The past is nearly 400 years ago, when the Lenape people lived a traditional life barely touched by European traders. The present is contemporary America, as the Lenape continue to adapt to a changing world but remain close to the land and to each other. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

fantastic book
wonderful book for young children.the format is engaging and the story is charming.great artwork as well.

Lovely illustrations
I purchased this book specifically because of the Lenape Indian connection and a unit being taught in my second grade class. It also didn't hurt that my own family is from the Lenape Delaware tribe.The book had lovely illustrations and simple text.The use of Lenape vocabulary added a great touch and my students and I loved that there was a pronunciation guide in the back of the book.A definite asset to any library, especially if you are celebrating Native American Hertigage.

A very sweet story
Every culture has its own ways of celebrating the seasons. When the Shadbush Blooms shows young readers how the Lenape Indians (also known as the Delaware Indians) live according to the seasons.

The story is uniquely told from two different viewpoints. It is told by Traditional Sister and Contemporary Sister, each from her own time. These viewpoints show us how the traditions have changed, yet stay very similar. David Kanietakeron Fadden`s paintings grasp life in traditional times and current times extraordinarily. His paintings draw the reader in, and make them feel as if they were there as well.

The young reader that I shared this book with had a great time comparing the similarities between the different times. She seemed to enjoy learning about the traditions of the Lenape and following the adventures of the girls telling the story through their year.

I found this an engaging look into the lifestyles of one of the native tribes of the United States. I enjoyed the way the book was presented, and found the additional information on the Lenape in the back of the book extremely informative. This is a wonderful example of multicultural writing that shows how people live close to the land and themselves during the changing seasons.

Armchair Interviews says: Highly recommended.

Deserving of the Caldecott
While the beautiful illustrations may first attract you to Where the Shadbush Blooms, the words that describe the feeling of joy that children take in their families now, and took long ago--and the simple pleasures that hold families together--will hold you and any child. Kids will be fascinated by the historical differences in clothing and tools, and interested in similarities over time. They will ask you to read and reread the story, and they will love trying to pronounce the Lenni Lenape words for the seasons and the moons. (The authors wisely included a pronunciation dictionary along with the background of the tribe.) The book holds potential for family conversation, games, and challenges--not to mention those in a classroom. While it describes the Original People, it applies to all people and to the strength of families everywhere. It deserves to win the Caldecott. Susan Gilbert Beck, former Children's Librarian, Librarian and Information Specialist, Certified Teacher, Emanda, Inc. ... Read more

Product Description
While a war is brewing between the American colonists and the British, two boys, young Delaware Indian Coshmoo and Daniel, the settler boy, find that their friendship can overcome anything, even a war. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Moon of Two Dark Horses
An Indian named Coshmoo lives in small village on Tioga Point. His white friend Daniel once talked to a trader named Big Nose who sided with General Washington in the Revolutionary War.Big Nose told Daniel a story of a great water creature and gave him a tooth from it so when Daniel finds it, it will show him the way to stop the Revolutionary Way.When Coshmoo is told this from Daniel they go out in search of it on sacred land. The two boys get caught and aren't supposed to speak with each other ever again. Coshmoo learns that his older cousin Flying Wolf might attach Daniel's village.Flying Wolf sides with the Brittish when they come to Tioga Point. Can Daniel and Coshmoo stop their two societies from killing each other?

I think the message of the story was to never give up on your friends.When you think about it, if everybody was there for their friends then no one would ever be left alone. Friends are one of the biggest needs people have.So this is a very good message to spread to young people.

The author made a good point on how the family was really important to Indians. Coshmoo always dreamed to be like his father, hunt with a gun like his father and to free the fighting warriors. It was a great idea to have an Indian and a white settler work together to stop their societies from killing one another.

In conclusion, I really think this book gets two thumbs up because of the link between the Indian and the white settler. Even when they were told to not see each other both did not give up on their friend.Again, Moon of Two Dark Horses is a fabulous book and I strongly recommend it.

Jonathan Geneste

Moon of Two Dark Horses
As a college student, I found the book to be very well written and quite entertaining.The book was able to convey the message of strong friendship-through thick and thin.Although they had grown apart, Coshmoo and Daniel were able to remain friends until the end.The book was also able to inform the reader on a important time in the nation's history, the American Revolution.The book gave the reader two different perspectives on the Revolutionary War and supported each side with facts and opinions.This book would be a great tool to use when explaining or discussing the American Revolution to a classroom.It gives the students a creative view on historical information, and may also help the student to better understand concepts related to the Revolutionary War.

Moon of Two Dark Horses- Is it worth reading?
This book, 'Moon of Two Dark Horses', by Sally M. Keehn, was a good book but with a few bad parts. This book was about two boys, Daniel and Coshmoo, who have been good friends since they were young. Daniel is American and Coshmoo is part of an Indian tribe. During the British-American war, Daniel and Coshmoo's villages begin to fight and hate each other on the influence of the British-American war. Will Coshmoo and Daniel still be best friends?
I would recommend this because it is exciting and will make the customer want to read more. This book isn't very slow, it will quickly continue on with the plot without getting 'intercepted' by over describing a small detail. Also, this book has plenty of action and rarely has just speaking or people sitting around. There is always a scene like the race, the search for two skeletons, or when the British invade and so much confusion and horror is happening in the two villages. Another recommendation for reading this book is the way it's written makes everything be clearly explained. It will not jump from plot to plot so quickly that the reader will not understand what's happening.
Some people might not like this book because it can be very predictable in most parts. For instance in the race, anyone could predict what's going to happen and who will win. In the end, there is not much surprise to what happens; it simply ends like any other movie or book without a special snap. Unfortunately, that can greatly affect the surprise in certain parts. But, concluding with all the pros and the cons, this is be an excellent book to read and is well recommended.

Crossing Boundaries
Crossing Boundaries

The book Moon of Two Dark Horses is about a Delaware Indian boy named Coshmoo, who is living during the Revolutionary war.He is a friend to a white boy named Daniel.His tribe is being torn between the two sides of the war.They do not know whose side to join.While the British have more supplies and can provide Coshmoo with ammunition for his beloved gun, he does not want to go to war.
This war also has an affect on his personal life.He has been friends with Daniel and does not want to loose his friendship with him.
In my opinion, this was a good book and I would probably rate it four stars. Personally, I like to read historical books so I liked this book.I also like to read books about Indians.In conclusion, I enjoyed reading this book.

A little disappointing.
I absolutly loved Sally Keehn's first book, "I am Regina" which is a brutally honest story of a white girl taken captive by Delaware Indians during the French and Indian War.I read "The Moon of Two Dark Horses" simply because I enjoyed "I am Regina" somuch.

"The Moon of Two Dark Horses" is a story of a DelawareIndian boy, Coshmoo, who witnesses the effects the Revolutionary War has onhis peaceful and neutral village.Will his village side with the Britishand their Seneca allies or will the Delawares stay at peace with theirAmerican neighbors?War also threatens Coshmoo's personal life.Analliance with the British will ensure lead and powder for his belovedmusket, but would endanger his lifelong friendship with an American boy,Daniel.It's a great premise, but Keehn is unable to really pull it off. The narrative is choppy with storylines and characters underdeveloped.Adecent book, but not nearly as good as "I am Regina." ... Read more

Product Description
On the morning of her twelfth birthday, Mary Campbell gets angry with her mother and storms out of the cabin-never to return. As she picks wild strawberries and plans her apology, Mary is captured by Delaware Indians and plunged into a life that is fearsome, strenuous, and utterly unlike the one she knows, beginning with the journey on foot from Pennsylvania to the Delawares' new home in Ohio Territory. As the idea of escape becomes less feasible and less urgent, Mary finds herself adapting to the routines, traditions, and beliefs of her captors, and discovers within herself reserves of strength she hadn't known were hers. The life of the real Mary Campbell, taken by Delawares in 1759, is the basis for this enthralling, historically detailed adventure, and for the perceptive portrait of a young woman finding her place in a culture vastly different from her own. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

the best book ever
i love this book i think it is so good. i would really suggestb reading it. i really enjoyed it. the book is a little sad scary and a little gross. but it is really really really really really really really good. i can really picture it and really understand what they are saying. i love love love love it. i am in 4th grade and we are reading it. my teacher is reading it to us out loude and we have are own book to follow along.

Beware:2 year old scalped
This is a wonderful and historic story, especialy interesting to children who live in Ohio and can visit the cave where Mary lived.However, just be aware that a two year old child is scalped because he can't keep up and cries too much.My daughter was VERY upset by this, especially because she has a two year old sister!You know your child best: if your child is a sensitive one, consider waiting a few more years for this story or prepare him/her ahead of time or read it together.

Beaded Moccasins
I THINK BEADED MOCCASINS IS A GREAT STORY FOR ADVENTURURES. THERE ARE SOME SAD PARTS. BUT WHEN YOU GET TO THE END IT WAS WORTH IT. THER WERE SOME PARTS WHERE I COULDN'T PUT THE BOOK DOWN.

Hard working protaganist
You move somewhere you do not want to and then are made to do more chores than your brother and then to top it all off, you get captured by the Delaware Indians then work for them in there garden are made their daughter only because theirs died! Well you would find these details in the book The Beaded Moccasins.
This historical fiction was about a girl named Mary Campbell. She was just turning 12. She loved her family but they would bug her sometimes. Mary came from Fairfield, Connecticut and was made to move west to Ohio. Her dad called it westering. I think she was brave and courageous. Mary always wanted to be outside and never work hard. She was kind of selfish until she was captured. For example when she was made to work in the garden and last in that cold winter with just a dress and leggings. She really started to feel that she did something that she could never fix and she should have not ran out into the field and disrespect her mother and that where she lived before was much better than where she is now.
There were many good details and interesting settings. For example the Campbell's farm was set on fire by the Delaware Indians just to capture Mary. Also Mary felt very lonely and afraid of life. She needed to be more courageous. The Delaware made the boys jump into the ice covered river to make them stronger so she tried it and her Grand father whipped her so hard. I didn't like one part of the book because the Delaware killed Mrs.Stewart's baby because it would not stop crying. But over all the novel was very intense and kept me on the edge of my seat.

Popular with middle school students
This book was one of the most popular on the shelf for independent reading this year, with both male and female middle school students.Perhaps it was because it is based on an actual event.Perhaps the straight forward language used by the author appealed.Whatever the reason, as a teacher, I make note of any book that motivates students to read, and this one did. ... Read more

Product Description
Though reared as a Lenni Lenape Indian, fifteen-year-old True Son, once called John Camera Butler, was ordered back to the white man. It was impossible for True Son to believe that his people were white and not Indian. He had learned to hate the white man. And now he learned to hate his new father, his new house, his new family. He hated the name John Butler. Where did he belong now--and where could he go?


From the Paperback edition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (188)

I only wanted 1 copy.
Less than 2 minutes ago I ordered this book.I only needed one copy.I noticed 2 copies were orderd, so I changed the quantity and hit update, then ordered another item.I placed the order, while reviewing it, the page refreshed.I get an email saying I ordered two copies of this paper back.It will cost just as much as it is worth to return it, so I immediately hit recent orders and ask to change it.Not even 1 minutehas gone by and Amazon say it is already shipped and cannot be changed.
Phooey.I do not need 2 copies of a book my school is forcing my child to read.This sucks!!And its such a waste of energy all around.Why not put an edit quantities button in the preview menu?Then I wouldn't have been messed over by software.
I would say double , triple check everything, but I did that and it still happenned.Like Amazon, hate the lottery feel of the ordering process.

A boy adrift between two worlds
A wonderful timeless story.Set in the period when Pennsylvania was still at the frontier bordering "Indian" country, this short novel is about a 15 year old white boy that was captured at age 4 and raised by Indians (Native Americans if you prefer) as an Indian.Happily I might add.The twist arises when soldiers show up at the Indian village to take back white captives.

A short novel that was a pleasure to read, I note two salient aspects:

The story of the boy True Son (white name, Johnny).His fears, conflicts, victories, etc.

And -- the extremely educational aspect of the novel regarding the Indian perspective to the encroachment and behavior of the whites.Author Conrad Richter obviously invested much research and contemplation into the matter.To put it in a phrase, "the reader is exposed to and will probably sympathize with the Indian point of view".Conversely, it is clear that the Indians did not completely grasp the White Man's whole perspective.

Not what I call a feel good ending, but a logical one in context.Well worth the quick read for a student of the Native American ways, early American history, or simply a student of people and their interactions.

Two incompatible ways of life symbolized by one yound man
Some books stand the test of time, so do not. "The Light in the Forest" is 57 years old and still holds true, both historically and as a story.

Based in Pennsylvania during the years preceding the French and Indian War, the story revolves around True Son, a young man who had been kidnapped from his family by Lenni Lenape Indians at age four. True Son is adopted by an honorable, respected man named Cuyolga to replace a son who died from disease.Over time, True Son forgets his white parents and becomes a full Lenni Lenape.

However, a treaty is signed that requires that the white "captives" be returned to their white families. True Son is returned and the bulk of the book concerns itself with True Son's reactions to the white society he was forced to leave more than a decade earlier. Eventually, True Son escapes back to his adopted family and settles back into his comfortable way of life.

Up until the last few pages, the reader is left with the impression that the conflict between the settlers and the Indians was primarily a war of brutality on the part of the settlers, but True Son discovers, to his horror, that warriors from his own family group massacred a family and even scalped the children - an accusation that he angrily denied when settlers threw it in his face while he was forced to live with them.

Richter leaves the reader with an unconventional ending, but one that feels right, nonetheless.

Makes a great companion to longer, more detailed (but less conflicted) books by James Alexander Thom such as Follow the River and The Red Heart.

Two incompatible ways of life, symbolized by one young man
Some books stand the test of time, so do not. "The Light in the Forest" is 57 years old and still holds true, both historically and as a story.

Based in Pennsylvania during the years preceding the French and Indian War, the story revolves around True Son, a young man who had been kidnapped from his family by Lenni Lenape Indians at age four. True Son is adopted by an honorable, respected man named Cuyolga to replace a son who died from disease.Over time, True Son forgets his white parents and becomes a full Lenni Lenape.

However, a treaty is signed that requires that the white "captives" be returned to their white families. True Son is returned and the bulk of the book concerns itself with True Son's reactions to the white society he was forced to leave more than a decade earlier. Eventually, True Son escapes back to his adopted family and settles back into his comfortable way of life.

Up until the last few pages, the reader is left with the impression that the conflict between the settlers and the Indians was primarily a war of brutality on the part of the settlers, but True Son discovers, to his horror, that warriors from his own family group massacred a family and even scalped the children - an accusation that he angrily denied when settlers threw it in his face while he was forced to live with them.

Richter leaves the reader with an unconventional ending, but one that feels right, nonetheless.

Makes a great companion to longer, more detailed (but less conflicted) books by James Alexander Thom such as Follow the River and The Red Heart.

Two incompatible ways of life, symbolized by one young man
Some books stand the test of time, so do not. "The Light in the Forest" is 57 years old and still holds true, both historically and as a story.

Based in Pennsylvania during the years preceding the French and Indian War, the story revolves around True Son, a young man who had been kidnapped from his family by Lenni Lenape Indians at age four. True Son is adopted by an honorable, respected man named Cuyolga to replace a son who died from disease.Over time, True Son forgets his white parents and becomes a full Lenni Lenape.

However, a treaty is signed that requires that the white "captives" be returned to their white families. True Son is returned and the bulk of the book concerns itself with True Son's reactions to the white society he was forced to leave more than a decade earlier. Eventually, True Son escapes back to his adopted family and settles back into his comfortable way of life.

Up until the last few pages, the reader is left with the impression that the conflict between the settlers and the Indians was primarily a war of brutality on the part of the settlers, but True Son discovers, to his horror, that warriors from his own family group massacred a family and even scalped the children - an accusation that he angrily denied when settlers threw it in his face while he was forced to live with them.

Richter leaves the reader with an unconventional ending, but one that feels right, nonetheless.

Makes a great companion to longer, more detailed (but less conflicted) books by James Alexander Thom such as Follow the River and The Red Heart. ... Read more