Moon of Two Dark Horses

The plight of Native Americans during the Revolutionary War is eloquently conveyed in this affecting novel. Coshmoo, the only son of the Delaware Indian leader Queen Esther, describes his village on the banks of the Susquehanna River and his close friendship with Daniel Seibert, the son of nearby white settlers. As war breaks out between the Americans and the British, the Indians are being pressured into taking sides. But no matter who wins, they will lose their homeland, as is lyrically symbolized in Coshmoo's dreams of being pursued by an insatiable bear. The boys venture onto forbidden land in an abortive quest for a fabled tree that will restore peace to their peoples, but they only increase hostilities. Months later, their friendship survives the ultimate test when Daniel is captured by Coshmoo's British-allied Iroquois relatives and forced to run the gauntlet. Keehn (I Am Regina) establishes so clear a sense of foreboding that the reader is almost afraid to reach the ending; at the same time, her story seems so real that the reader will not want to escape its grip. Historical notes and an extensive bibliography add further substance to a deeply moving tale. Ages 10-14. (Sept.)