Enchanted Runner

by Kimberley Griffiths Little

Kendall believes in magic. He can feel it when he runs. Drawn into his great-grandfather's world of secrets and sacred ceremony, Kendall discovers that the magic is linked to an ancient and mysterious life as old as the earth itself. In this dramatic and exciting story, Kendall encounters wild horses, rattlesnakes and runs a dangerous journey across the desert to save his grandfather's life even as visions from the spirit world give him the answers he seeks. Land of Enchantment Master List Pennsylvania Young Readers List Southwest Book Award Winner

149 pages, Hardcover

First published November 15, 1999

About the author

Kimberley Griffiths Little was born in San Francisco, but now lives in New Mexico with her husband and their three sons.

For such award-winning middle grade novels as When the Butterflies Came, The Last Snake Runner, The Healing Spell, and Circle of Secrets, her writing has been praised as "fast-paced and dramatic," with "characters painted in memorable detail" and "beautifully realized settings."

Kimberley adores anything old and musty with a secret story to tell and makes way too many cookies while writing.

She's stayed in the haunted tower room at Borthwick Castle in Scotland; sailed on the Seine in Paris; ridden a camel in Petra, Jordan; shopped the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul; and spent the night in an old Communist hotel in Bulgaria.

Her amazing, filmed-on-location book trailers are right here on Goodreads. https://www.goodreads.com/videos/list...

Awards: Southwest Book Award, Whitney Award for Best Youth Novel, Bank Street College Best Books of 2011 & 2014, Crystal Kite Finalist, and New Mexico Book Award Finalist.

Reviews

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book even though it is intended for grade school children. It kept my attention about Kendall's experience with his mother's Indian people & his grandfather whom he has never met.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this author’s YA novels and I also believe that Acoma is magical. The story of a boy not yet knowing his place in the world and finding acceptance and encouragement on his path requires at least a few tissues.

[julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I seem to be reading a lot of young-adult books these days. This one is about a 12-year-old boy who discovers his Native American heritage. I connected to his character (though I am not a runner), and enjoyed learning some things about the Native Americans.

I would say that in the beginning the author wasn't very clear about where this was taking place, although we can assume it was in New Mexico. That kind of threw me, although I knew it was the Southwest.

I enjoyed this coming-of-age story.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very engaging & interesting story about a boy discovering his heritage. I like the imagery and the "magic" that pulls him to run.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful story with lovable characters, captivating scenery, & magical elements. I'm looking forward to reading the follow-up book.