Mysterious Bones: The Story of Kennewick Man

by Katherine Kirkpatrick, Emma Stevenson (Illustrator)

When two young men who were sneaking into a boat race accidentally uncovered a skeleton along a bank of the Columbia River in Kennewick, Washington, in 1996, they had no idea of the impact their discovery would have. The bones were those of one of the oldest and most complete skeletons ever recovered in the U.S. and led to one of the most important archaeological controversies of modern times. Kennewick Man transformed long-held theories about the colonization of the Americas and sparked a nine-year battle pitting scientists against Native American tribes for control of the remains. Time line, glossary, chapter notes, bibliography.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Archaeology, Historical, Science, Middle Grade, Juvenile

64 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2011

Reviews

[Cathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's not a children's book, it's a college paper. The topic is very interesting, but it's way too advanced for almost any kid. The vast majority of the book is dense text with words that are not just challenging, but potentially a bit off-putting for kids, it's just really formal. And did I mention that it's dense? There's no way even my very, very bright 10 year-old would have the patience to follow this story when my eyes kept glazing over. It's a shame because it's a cool story and a lovely book. But unless a kid is a serious scholar, I can't see them getting through this one.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love to read children's non-fiction. This one was a fascinating introduction to the discovery of and controversy surrounding Kennewick Man, a 9,500-year-old skeleton discovered in Washington State in 1996. I learned a lot here. It's an almost complete skeleton, a rarity amongst prehistoric finds. The controversy came about because the local Native American tribes believed he was their ancestor and wanted his remains repatriated and reburied. After long legal battles, scientists were permitted to study the remains. When they did, they could not for certain say he was related to any tribe today. He and his people may have come across the Bering land bridge into North America, and they may have all died out thousands of years ago.

I hoped for photographs to accompany the text, but the book is illustrated instead with drawings by Emma Stevenson, which are so clear and concise that you really don't miss photos. Maps also accompany the text, with a glossary at the end. A bibliography provides sources of further information.

What I enjoyed most were the possible facial reconstructions, based on the skull, that appeared on page 17. One of them looks a bit like Patrick Stewart from "Star Trek"! I was also intrigued by references to other skeletal discoveries of Paleoindians discovered in the U.S., such as the Spirit Cave mummy. I must read more!

Highly recommended.

[Kat Goldin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mysterious Bones: The Story of Kennewick Man
This is a text that will engage the reader who enjoys a thrill and that is eager to ‘find’ something that is global relative. This book is not about dinosaur bones. The rather studious story is about how a recent staggering find of bones by two teens in Washington changed the way the world look at the remains of individuals and how they are used for anthology purposes. This is a timeless book that is interesting, but tough to get through. I would have enjoyed a few more pictures, including a map of the world that help the reader visual the United States and then on of Washington, and then on of the areas where the bones where discover. At times, I felt like I was reading a science text and wish it would have been a journal or a scientific note book with drawings/doodles in the margins. It was just a little dry for the middle school environment.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting look at how the discovery of ancient man changed the way we think of our native american beginnings. I found the controversy around kennewick man fascinating but parts if this book were very dry and hard to get through. I am not sure how kid friendly this book is but it will find an audience with history buffs.

[Donalyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an insightful and comprehensive history about the discovery of Kennewick Man and the ensuing court battle between archeologists and the Umatilla tribe over the treatment and possession of the remains.

[Thomas D. Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Introduction to Archaeology for Children

[Sandy D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a well-meaning but problematic kid's book about the controversy over what should be done with a 9500 y.o. skeleton found in the state of Washington: anthropological research, or give it back to the Native peoples in the area for reburial?

The information presented is accurate and detailed, and the illustrations are gorgeous and helpful. But the text reads a bit too much like an academic report - elementary school kids are going to have a tough time getting through some of the long pages of rather pedantic text. There is a very detailed glossary in the back, but few kids are going to flip back there to figure out unfamiliar words in the face of text that doesn't grab them.

Older kids (middle school & up) could handle the text, if they're interested in the topic (and it *is* an important and interesting topic!) but are they going to ever find this book in the juvenile section? I'm afraid they will think it's a picture book that's too young for them.

This would be a good book for teachers and homeschoolers to use with their students - parts of it could be read and explained, and the graphics and information could be appreciated. But I'm afraid this will just languish on library shelves.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fascinating story of how bones that were more than 9,000 years old were accidentally found along the Columbia River in eastern Washington contains many intriguing details about how the bones sparked a court battle between First Nations peoples and the scientists who wanted to study the bones. The author provides a balanced account between the different sides to the issue, and it is clear that what might be learned from studying the remains of someone's ancestor comes at the price of seeming to disrespect the customs of others. The book contains several illustrations that allow readers to learn more about spear points and forensic anthropology.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting subject, and I think the author did a good job of showing all sides of the story and being culturally sensitive. As Kennewick Man, he was important to scientific research, but as The Ancient One, the sanctity and preservation of his remains was important to Native American tribes. I think Ms. Kirkpatrick also does a good job of showing how this drama was avoided in other cases, illustrating that we need to be sensitive to other cultures, and that mutual respect may lead to cooperation. In effect, this is not only a science book, but also a book about culture and respect for others' beliefs and customs.

[Abby Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's an interesting topic (particularly for its discussion of NAGPRA and the ethics of research on Native American remains), but I think the format is problematic. The content of the book is suited to a middle-school audience, but the large pages with big blocks of text and painted illustrations instead of photos are a turn-off. This is a book for research and reports, but I don't see kids picking it up for recreational reading.

Try Secrets of a Civil War Submarine or Written in Bone by Sally M. Walker or Bodies from the Ice by James M. Deem for similar books with more kid appeal.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

For my daughter (age 10) and I, this book was a good introduction to an interesting topic. However, very little is known about The Ancient One. In fact, there are more unknowns than knowns. As a result, the book is heavy on detailed speculation--which tried both of our patiences. I would recommend this book for any young person with an interest in archaeology or anthropology. It is a fantastic overview of technical, legal, and even moral issues.

[Salsabrarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

The narrative is riveting and accessible and serves as a fine introduction to archaeology and the challenges and ethics involved in this area. The illustrations are suitable in the absence of photographs (by request of Native American tribes). Unfortunately, I found the graphic design overall not very dynamic or attractive, and as a result many of the pages are text-heavy although the book itself isn't that long.

[Deanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chronicles the events which follow after skeletal remains of "Kennewick Man" are found. It turns out that the bones are over 9,000 years old. Very detailed and interesting information however it came across as academic. I don't think kids will be flocking to the library, it will need to be sold.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

One Sentence Review: A good and interesting read that suffers horribly from the publisher's choice to include only illustrations and no photographs of the "Man" in question (if there's a reason for this, we need to know it).

[Paige Y. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but I had some real issues with the layout of the book. Several times it referred to sidebars that were pages away and yet didn't give those page numbers. I also felt the flow of the text was interrupted by the sidebars.

[Tracy]

I think this is interesting.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Middle school. Some elementary students will be fascinated. Important local history and discussion of study of bones as well as Native ancestral burial rights.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating stuff, but not Newbery-worthy.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting. 9500 year old skeleton found in WA state in 1996. Hadn't even heard about it.