Mother's Blessing

by Penina Keen Spinka

Pretty One and her baby, Four Cries, are cast out of the village when a wise man's prophecy--that Pretty One's son will grow up to be a great leader--is proven false because the infant is a girl. Four Cries, in her search for her spirit guide makes many allies, ultimately uniting three enemy villages and helping her own people avoid starvation--and fulfilling the prophecy!

Genres: Prehistory

176 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 30, 1992

Reviews

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple little story about prehistoric Californians. Also, no explicit descriptions or sexual references. Would probably be safe for young teenagers interested in the topic.

[P.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy stories about Native Americans. This one was enjoyable because of the strong female main character.

[Anne Osterlund · Rating 3 out of 5]

She was born a victim of prophecy.
Expected to lead—not one, but three tribes.
And born a girl.

Instantly rejected by her father.
Forced, by her uncle, to leave her village.
And left with the knowledge that her birth was responsible for the strife between two peoples.

But Four Cries has a gift.
She understands rejection.
And the folly of allowing others to determine one’s fate.
And when the time for her vision quest arrives, she understands that differences mean . . . possibility.

Reminiscent of Scott O’Dell’s Island of the Blue Dolphins, Mother’s Blessing is a brief tale of a young Chumash girl on a great quest. The story is based on a real Native American legend, and I liked the realistic interpretation of Coyote and Momoy.

[Mandee Tejada · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my absolute favorite book as a kid. I identified with the main character a lot and felt more of a connection with my native heritage reading this. This girl was rejected by her father since she was not a boy, but she was strong, inquisitive, & eager to learn everything she could. Allow your mind to open & feel inspired as you journey with her & see her strength as she rises above.

[Shivanee Ramlochan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I might, no doubt, find it hackneyed and trite upon a cynical adult revisitation, but I remember thoroughly enjoying this vividly told tale of courage, set to the progression of an epic journey, when I was a girl -- and that memory is what matters here.

[Shawn Buck · Rating 4 out of 5]

another very good storie