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Jimmy Spoon lives in Salt Lake City, while Brigham Young is still alive. His father wants him to grow up to run the family store. Jimmy finds that unimaginably boring. And he wants a horse of his own, which his father will not allow until he is 14. At age 12, he befriends two Native American boys who are hanging around the settlement, with a horse. They tell him he can have the horse, if he comes back to their village and meets Old Mother. Jimmy sneaks out of his home late at night, meets the boys, and sets off for their village. He thought their village must be a short ride away, but it turns out to be several days away, and when he meets Old Mother, he learns that the whole tribe expects him to stay there... permanently.
The bulk of the book covers two years that Jimmy lives as a member of the Shoshoni tribe, as a little brother to the Chief.
Well researched coming of age story that's different than the norm. It is loosely based on true events. ( )

While this book has won no awards to speak of, it does rate as a valuable additon to any book collection. It tells the story of the colonization of America and how it affects the Native American culture. It also depicts the impact Native Americans had on colonists. The author shows the migratory life of Native Americans through the experiences of Jimmy Spoon, a young boy who leaves his predictable life in a colonial village for the adventure of a Native American tribe. The story demonstrates the free, wondering side of the Native Americans that is lost with the development of the Indain reservation. It also explores the roles of gender within the tribe and contrasts these roles to those of colonial America.
Library Implications: The librarian is able to use this book in several ways, including the encouragement of reading for pure enjoyment. This story is written in an easy-to-understand format with a glossary of native American terms that makes it a success for even struggling readers. The story line is mulit-layered and developed in a way that makes this easy reading exciting and fascinating for the middle reader. This book wil be a great way to get young readers to read for fun. ( )