Book Review--Moccasin Trail by Eloise Jarvis Mcgraw

Image Taken from Amazon.com

I stumbled across an excellent book the other day, quite by accident. While poring through the library, hopeful for something of quality, I came across a wonderful novel I'd read previously, The Golden Goblet. Oh, I thought, let's see what else this author wrote. Of course, the one with the Native American caught my eye, because I've always been fascinated with those cultures.

But I was completely unprepared to find that I LOVED this story!!!
Here's part of the summary from the interior of the book.

Moccasin Trail

By Eloise Jarvis Mcgraw

It has been eight years since Jim Keath ran away from his family into the wilderness of the great Oregon territory. Rescued by Crow Indians from a near-fatal battle with a grizzly, Jim spent six years living with and learning the ways of the Crow Indians. Then Jim received a desperate message and learned that his brothers and sister were journeying west to take up land. "Jim, if you're still alive, come help us!"

But regaining his family's trust would be as difficult as the long journey through the frontier...

Through My Window

This is an absolutely wonderful adventure of discovering home. Jim Keath is a thrilling hero, a wild, daring young man, who's considered close to a savage by many characters, including his family. But despite his tough exterior, he's desperate to belong somewhere. His brother and sister, though glad for his help, are wary of his Indian ways, especially since the youngest sibling has started to idolize Jim's wild life.

The story is sensitively viewed by different characters, and your opinion of Jim's lifestyle ranges up and down. At times, the ways of Talks Alone (Jim's alter-ego) are extremely attractive. The way he interacts with his surroundings, his half-wild horse and dog, and his daring enterprises, seem like the the perfect life. Several times, I found myself wistful for the untamed country that is coming to an end in the story. Yet, while displaying the beauty of that life, it also shows the dark, harsh cruelty, which made me wince and say, "Well, maybe that life isn't for me." In contrast to Jim's reckless courage, we also see the firm bravery of the pioneers, whom Jim is slowly coming to respect.

With Eloise McGraw's magnificent voice, Moccasin Trail abounds with adventure, truth, and heart. I was so thrilled with this world, that I promptly come up with a new novel idea with a Native American theme.

~ 5 STARS ~

I really would like to do this book justice, but I fear I'm coming woefully short. So take my word that it's awesome and go read it!