Knife Thrower: a Mormon boy among the Pawnee

by Boyd Richardson

As a young Mormon boy in Missouri, Samuel Harold sees his parents murdered by vicious mobsters and barely escapes with his own life. Left to fend for himself in the dead of winter without food or shelter, he wonders, "What does a ten-year-old boy know about making his own way in the world?" The answer to that question leads him to the adventure of a lifetime!

In the snowy wilderness Samuel encounters Shunktokecha, an Indian brave who takes the boy back to his Pawnee village and becomes his teacher. Because of his skill at throwing knives, Samuel becomes known as "Knife Thrower," and for six years he is immersed in the Pawnee culture. He remembers enough of his Mormon upbringing to tell the villagers stories from the Book of Mormon, and Shuntokecha reveals that he has been taught some important lessons by one of the Three Nephites.

On a trading expedition to Missouri, Knife Thrower encounters the hated mobster who killed his parents. Will he seek revenge against this cold-blooded murderer, or is he bound by a higher law?

Genres: Lds Fiction, Historical Fiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an interesting novel, about a Mormon boy, whose parents were murdered by evil men, in Missouri. The boy ran away into the forest, and was found by a native American, who raised him. Each of the two taught the other of their ways. The boy was accepted into a Pawnee village, and he was taught to be a hunter. The boy remembered the stories of the Book of Mormon, and he told them to his adopted family.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the second book first. I liked this one even better than the first.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun book to read. Brigham Harold at 12 finds himself a wandering orphan after watching his parents get killed by ant Mormons. Now in Indian Country he finds himself face to face with a lone Indian who takes him back to his tribe and there he learns the ways of the Pawnee. Still able to remember his Mormon upbringing he is able to adapt to both beliefs. Hardships continue to come as he grows into a young men and old enemies have to be dealt with to move forward.

I enjoyed reading it.

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book as a way to learn about frontier life. It is a fast read and enjoyable. My older boys also have enjoyed this series. It is about a Mormon boy whose parents are killed by a mob in Missouri. When he runs the boy runs and hides from the mob, an Indian soon finds and raises him.

[Cinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up to glance at, and ended up reading it straight through. It is a well-researched story, interesting and not the least predictable. I enjoyed learning about the Pawnee culture.

[Zack · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was my favorite as a kid. Will not reread as an adult.