The year of the three-legged deer

by Eth Clifford

1819, on the Indiana frontier, is a year that Takawsu will come to remember as "the year of the three-legged deer." He and his sister, Chilili, are the children of an Indian mother and a white settler father. Their destinies suddenly become intertwined with that of a lone fawn who has lost a leg, and his mother in a panther attack. Takawsu and Chilili rescue the fawn, nurse him back to health, and raise him as one of their own. But, tensions build around this mixed family, as Indians and whites battle for the land. There's a rogue Indian named Stone Eater, and a band of whites who senselessly massacre an Indian hunting party. Tempers flare and a trial ensues. In the midst of it all is Maskanako, the lone fawn, who represents purity, resiliency, and goodness. Eth Clifford tells this suspenseful story, with compelling sensitivity and authenticity of detail. It is sure to engage readers, both young and old.

Genres: Historical Fiction

164 pages, Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Eth Clifford was born in New York City in 1915. She and her husband, David Rosenberg, started David-Stewart Publishing Company. Her first book for children was published in 1959 and since that time she wrote numerous books for children and young adults. She was also known as Eth (or Ethel) Clifford Rosenberg, and as published under the name Ruth Bonn Penn, and with her husband under David Clifford. Eth Clifford died in 2003

Reviews

[Rhonda Gregware · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intermediate reader historical fiction set during the removal of the Lenni Lenape people across the Mississippi.

[Books Kids Like · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Takawsu returns to his first home in Indiana, he and his father reminiscence about the year of the three-legged dear. A trader named John Duane and his slave Jess Benton and Takawsu for a torch hunt. The strategy was for some to scare the deer toward the river where others were holding a lighted torch. The terrified deer was shot as it headed for the light. While Takawsu stayed with the deer, Stone Eater, another Indian, attacked him. Duane's slave saved his life. To repay the black man's kindness, Jess bought him and gave him his freedom. The black man became known as Sakkaape. Shortly after this, Takawsu and his sister, Chilili, saved a newborn fawn from the bear that killed its mother. One of its legs was badly injured and had to be amputated. The deer became a treasured pet. Sometime later, Chilili asks with her father to fix the deer’s enclosure, but he is too busy. The day he leaves to re-capture a dangerous escaped prisoner, the deer runs away. When Chilili goes to find him, she becomes the prisoner’s hostage. What happens next changes Takawsu’s life forever.
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is about a blended family (White father, Indian mother) that takes place in the 1800s in frontier Indiana. White settlers are growing in number and the US Government is working to relocate Indians west of the Mississippi. Interesting story.