The Waterstone

by Rebecca Rupp

The world is drying. Twelve-year-old Tad — who is only a few inches tall — doesn’t even notice it at first. Busy practicing with his new spear, arguing with his sister, Birdie, and living the normal life of a youngling of the Fisher Tribe, he thinks little of a stream slowed to a trickle here, a pond suddenly dwindling there. But Tad begins to have strange flashbacks — glimpses of the past that he knows can't possibly be his own. With these "rememberings" haunting him, he and Birdie begin an adventure marked by great sorrows, fierce battles, and unbreakable friendships. In this remarkable rite of passage, Tad grows to know who he really is and what his destiny holds. For only he can restore the water and save the forests and animals and Tribes.

Only he can retrieve the Waterstone.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Adventure, Childrens, Fiction, Young Adult

288 pages, Paperback

First published July 22, 2002

About the author

Rebecca Rupp is the author of SARAH SIMPSON'S RULES FOR LIVING, JOURNEY TO THE BLUE MOON, THE DRAGON OF LONELY ISLAND and THE RETURN OF THE DRAGON. She lives in Swanton, Vermont.

Reviews

[Emmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book as a kid but couldn't remember the title and here it is

[Mhari Warner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished reading this book with my oldest daughter. We read as much as we could at bedtime.She said she loved it! I enjoyed reading it with her and thought the story was perfect for young readers. Full of adventure and the ending was fantastic!

[Aeslis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Waterstone pleasantly surprised me with its creativeness. The story by itself is not terribly original--a young boy becomes the chosen one, with a special power that will save his people--but I was drawn into the world thanks to the lovely details and world building.

Tad, short for Tadpole, is a young boy of the Fisher tribe. They're webfooted and have nose flaps and are only a few inches tall. Concerned with the dry spell they seem to be having (their pond of a home is gravely affected, after all,) Tad's father journeys with Tad and Birdie, Tad's younger sister, up the stream to find out what the problem is.

It turns out that the problem is ancient, and Tad's father is lured into dark waters by magic, leaving Tad and Birdie alone. Tad and Birdie must discover what to do on their own. As they unravel the mystery of the dry spell and the danger it actually entails, they meet a cast of endearing characters from many different walks of life.

[SBC · Rating 2 out of 5]

A straightforward read with careful world building and plot unfolding. It felt kind of pedestrian/matter of fact to me and just didn't appeal.

[Hannah Belyea · Rating 3 out of 5]

After hearing a strange voice in the pond, Tad starts having flashbacks to a life he never lived, and he fears it may be connected to whatever is drying up all the water - but when his father is taken, he and his sister must trust in the other tribes to find the culprit before the land dies. Rupp brings children a lovingly crafted adventure, heartfelt and imaginative with a comforting personality woven into every character and revelation. What are these memories that Tad keeps witnessing, and can they truly help save his home?

[Kathleen McGowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. While not an original plot (it’s a chosen one story), I liked the richness of the world that the author built, the different tribes and their ways, and their customs. The main characters were well rounded and fun to follow along their journey.

[mav¡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️

Loved it! I had this book for years and only thought of reading it fully now. I tried reading this for the first time when I was around 10 or 11 and never seemed to get past the first 3 chapters. Now that I’m able to really put time and effort into reading, I really enjoyed this book.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of her best books. An unusual, bittersweet ending.

[Catherine Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a CUTE novel. Definitely a kids book, but I thoroughly enjoyed it! It was the mushroom fairy houses, talking mice, tiny adventure novel of my dreams.

[Sarah McIntosh]

I got half way through but it just didn’t grab me completely so decided to DNF. I do think it would be good for middle grade reader.

[Allen Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I see a cover with a little boy and a giant hawk on the cover I feel compelled to read the inside cover. from time to time I will go roaming the library shelves looking for something forgotten yet wonderful. This book is the hero's journey personified, now many books may claim to have elements but this one is original and fresh while having the traditional fantasy epic that makes it feel right at home. This book would fit seamlessly into a middle school classroom and is neither gender neutral or specific making no one feel left out. I would recommend this book for 8-9th graders, its a little longer and the reading level is a touch higher than other young adult books, in a classroom setting this could be a book that the entire class reads for archetypes, heroic journey, government, and social policy. There is I believe two references to acorn beer but beyond that avery clean book. all in all any book that makes me cry in a good way 5/5

[Steve Hemmeke · Rating 2 out of 5]

Decent.
A rather Messianic theme of restoring all things through sacrifice and fighting the bad guy.
But there's an element of dualism: balance between good and evil is asserted, ying-yang style. This is undone by the defeat of the bad guy at the end, so it's muted, but still there.
Quite creative in the incidentals, but a standard plot line.

I'll let the older kids (12 and 10) read it if they want to, and discuss with them the theme of dualism versus a sovereign good God.

[Penny Sun · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was okay, and it was nice the way the author touched on so many different thought provoking topics, but I think the author didn't go into enough detail on any topic. Also, somehow the story came off as a little too shallow and happy. This is a pretty good book, it's just that I think this is more of a children's book.

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it when I come across little treasures like these in my library! Nobody's read them and they're short but the story is golden. No fandom is acually quite a relief at times...! Anyway If you think you;d like a book set in a beautiful land with tribes, huge birds, and magic... by all means, read it!

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a hard book to find, but well worth your trouble. It's a magical story- and it has all the elements of a classic. It's a quick read too, so if you need a break from novels, try The Waterstone. Order it online...it's available in paperback for cheap!
G: Just plain old great!

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tad must save the tribes from the Nixies and The Drying

[Samantha97 Stowell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a great story. I enjoyed the originality of it, the characters, and the story line. I will defiantly look for other books by this author.

[Derek · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book. Fantasy meets a Native American-esque lifestyle of a tribe of webbed-footed people, and elemental powers that shape their world.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was a refreshingly new story that was well-developed and interesting. I would recommend to any young adult who loves fantasy.

[T E N Z I N · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boring 60& of the time.
Dad dies at end. Predictable.
Plot holes.
Not good in the over-all.
Not terrible though.

[Janee · Rating 3 out of 5]

very fun.