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Children of the Dawnland
The end of the Ice A time of melting glaciers, mass extinctions, unpredictable dangers…and young heroes Though only twelve summers old, Twig is a talented Dreamer. Sometimes she has spirit dreams—dreams that come true. But her mother has always discouraged Twig from exploring her powers for fear that they would turn her strange, like the reclusive witch-woman Cobia. When Twig begins to have recurring nightmares about a green light exploding from the sky and causing widespread destruction, she must find the courage to defy her mother and learn to become a Spirit Dreamer. Helping Twig on her quest are her best friend, Greyhawk, and Screech Owl, a shaman who has been banished from the village. Together, they must persuade their people to leave the land of their ancestors and journey to the mysterious Duskland, far from only home they’ve ever known. Can Twig convince the Elders that she is a true Spirit Dreamer—before it’s too late? Set 13,000 years ago in what is now the northeastern United States and Ontario, Canada, Children of the Dawnland is an unforgettable adventure about a visionary girl by internationally-bestselling authors and archaeologists Kathleen O’Neal Gear and W. Michael Gear. In writing and researching this book, the Gears visited the archaeological sites in New York, Ontario, Ohio, and Pennsylvania that play a role in the story. By allowing us to see through the eyes of prehistoric cultures, the Gears hope we can learn from them at a time of similar environmental change.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published May 18, 2003
7 people are currently reading
354 people want to read
About the author
Kathleen O'Neal Gear
137 books710 followersMy professional life began in the dark basement of the Museum of Cultural History in Los Angeles, where I was cataloguing three-hundred-year-old Guatemalan saint carvings. I quit this fascinating job and moved to Wyoming to work for the U.S. Department of the Interior as a historian and archaeologist. When I finally understood the error of my ways I moved to Wyoming and started writing books. Since then, I've authored or co-authored 54 novels and around 200 non-fiction publications.
I love writing. And buffalo. And hiking the wilds of Wyoming's backcountry.
I'm married (until he comes to his senses) to W. Michael Gear, the novelist and my co-author, and we live at the edge of the Wind River Indian Reservation in the Owl Creek mountains of Wyoming. We're contented watching buffalo and writing books.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/kathle...
I love writing. And buffalo. And hiking the wilds of Wyoming's backcountry.
I'm married (until he comes to his senses) to W. Michael Gear, the novelist and my co-author, and we live at the edge of the Wind River Indian Reservation in the Owl Creek mountains of Wyoming. We're contented watching buffalo and writing books.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/kathle...
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 13, 2016
What was this that I just read? This was probably one of the most boring books I've ever come across in my entire life. I thought Children Of The Dawnland would be at least OK, but it wasn't. It was horrible and absolutely uneventful. Everything in the book was awkward and just plain strange, even the names. Twig, Greyhawk, Riddle. What even are these names? I don't understand how other people gave it such good ratings! I had to force myself through all 332 pages of it. I want the all time back that I just wasted. Please.
June 23, 2009
I have yet to read a pre-history book that's not disappointing. That in itself is disappointing. I think they have the potential to be quite interesting. Both this and Clan of the Cave Bear focus heavily on fantastical spirituality. When you live so close to the land and the smallest things can have large effects on whether your clan survives or goes hungry, I can understand why such a group would be more superstitious, look for signs, and put great faith in both natural and drug-induced dreams. However, I have a low tolerance level for a book that seems to focus ENTIRELY on fantastical spirituality in exclusion to everything else. I also have low tolerance for a book that has characters named Twig and Riddle. Yuck.
Children of the Dawnland centers around a girl named Twig that has dreams of impending doom for her clan. The half of the book I was able to force myself to read has her searching for some other girl whose dreams come true in order to ... be taught to dream better? (Sadly, that was never made clear). Unfortunately, the bad guys are also searching for the same girl for some reason. A crazy man is trying to help Twig find the other dreaming girl through doing things that don't make sense like tracking a spruce tree and killing it. Really. The whole book makes that much sense.
Not only is the plot confusing, but the whole book is full of such confusion that I couldn't imagine many children liking this book. New characters are poorly introduced, the storyline doesn't make much sense, I never got a sense of the setting from anywhere except the book's cover and introduction, and the authors never made me care about the plot or the characters. A quick thumb through the rest of the book shows more of the same and I just don't care to waste my time with a book written so poorly.
Note: While I critique both purchased and free books in the same way, I'm legally obligated to tell you I received this book free through the Amazon Vine program in return for my review. Blah blah blah.
Children of the Dawnland centers around a girl named Twig that has dreams of impending doom for her clan. The half of the book I was able to force myself to read has her searching for some other girl whose dreams come true in order to ... be taught to dream better? (Sadly, that was never made clear). Unfortunately, the bad guys are also searching for the same girl for some reason. A crazy man is trying to help Twig find the other dreaming girl through doing things that don't make sense like tracking a spruce tree and killing it. Really. The whole book makes that much sense.
Not only is the plot confusing, but the whole book is full of such confusion that I couldn't imagine many children liking this book. New characters are poorly introduced, the storyline doesn't make much sense, I never got a sense of the setting from anywhere except the book's cover and introduction, and the authors never made me care about the plot or the characters. A quick thumb through the rest of the book shows more of the same and I just don't care to waste my time with a book written so poorly.
Note: While I critique both purchased and free books in the same way, I'm legally obligated to tell you I received this book free through the Amazon Vine program in return for my review. Blah blah blah.
July 1, 2012
Really interesting, a little condescending in places. Written about a time 12,900 years ago in modern-day northeastern U.S./southern Canada where Clovis peoples are dealing with the end of the ice age, extinctions, etc. Theory of a comet entering Earth's atmosphere and causing environmental mayhem on top of this. The main character, Twig, is supposed to be a strong female, but her younger male friend, Greyhawk, is portrayed as stronger mentally and physically.
What was compelling about this book was that it was written in a way that challenged perceptions about Clovis people and made them into a group of people whom I could relate to. It also called into question for me what I understand about the earliest people on this continent and made them seem less distinct/old and more human. I found myself constantly evaluating the story for accuracy, and found that I didn't know much - but it made me question my assumptions. Presumably, the authors, who are historians and archaeologists, know a heckuva lot more than I do.
What was compelling about this book was that it was written in a way that challenged perceptions about Clovis people and made them into a group of people whom I could relate to. It also called into question for me what I understand about the earliest people on this continent and made them seem less distinct/old and more human. I found myself constantly evaluating the story for accuracy, and found that I didn't know much - but it made me question my assumptions. Presumably, the authors, who are historians and archaeologists, know a heckuva lot more than I do.
October 24, 2018
Perhaps not the best example of literature I've read. Storyline is absorbing, though the mysticism of "dreaming" is a bit heavy-handed. The ending felt rushed and abrupt -- perhaps it was meant to lead into a sequel?
Gives a good glimpse into daily life in the Pleistocene (Stone Age), though. The authors have sufficient credentials in the field of archaeology for the details to be believable.
A worthwhile read if your goal is to get a feel for the time and place.
Gives a good glimpse into daily life in the Pleistocene (Stone Age), though. The authors have sufficient credentials in the field of archaeology for the details to be believable.
A worthwhile read if your goal is to get a feel for the time and place.
December 22, 2019
The end was very good, and more my level of reading. I like survival stories of families and friends together, especially in ancient times; There aren't many books like that. I love Greyhawk and Yipper. Their character development really connect with me. The perspective of the people that roamed North America thousands of years ago is very unique and interesting, but it definitely should've been written a lot better.
The plot wasn't entirely clear and some of the things characters did didn't make any sense. An old guy hunting trees isn't exactly what I call a good segway into finding out you have magical powers and depending on beings not even described as anything but unreliable and sometimes violent.
I felt like the first two-thirds of the book were very slow. Some of the spirit creatures described were creepy, and I still don't quite understand how or why the main character is a "Spirit Dreamer" (what makes her a dreamer,what it means besides predicting the future, or where spirit guides come from.) It wasn't clear exactly what Cobia really did to make people hate her.
In short, I just felt like the book had loose ends and dead ends everywhere. There was no rhyme or reason.
The plot wasn't entirely clear and some of the things characters did didn't make any sense. An old guy hunting trees isn't exactly what I call a good segway into finding out you have magical powers and depending on beings not even described as anything but unreliable and sometimes violent.
I felt like the first two-thirds of the book were very slow. Some of the spirit creatures described were creepy, and I still don't quite understand how or why the main character is a "Spirit Dreamer" (what makes her a dreamer,what it means besides predicting the future, or where spirit guides come from.) It wasn't clear exactly what Cobia really did to make people hate her.
In short, I just felt like the book had loose ends and dead ends everywhere. There was no rhyme or reason.
October 5, 2023
Set in prehistoric times, a tribe of early-ish humans was trying to live their best life. Hunting, talking to spirits, having babies. A young girl could hear spirits better than anyone else, and so knew something really really bad was coming. (A huge meteor that would usher in a new ice age. The two authors are archaeologists and wanted to write about how scary and horrible this real event must have been to the humans of the time.)
While I mostly enjoyed this book, I read a lot of stories set in this same time period. This one wasn't the worst or the best. However the ending, after the meteor hit, was outstanding. Such a good, believable look at how horrible life was after he meteor hit. I wish I had saved the line, but there was a sentence about how a herd of animals was walking with its head down, their noses to the ground to try to follow the scent of the trail since their eyes had all been burnt out of their heads.
The Goodread reviews for this book are pretty harsh, but I don't think it was bad at all.
While I mostly enjoyed this book, I read a lot of stories set in this same time period. This one wasn't the worst or the best. However the ending, after the meteor hit, was outstanding. Such a good, believable look at how horrible life was after he meteor hit. I wish I had saved the line, but there was a sentence about how a herd of animals was walking with its head down, their noses to the ground to try to follow the scent of the trail since their eyes had all been burnt out of their heads.
The Goodread reviews for this book are pretty harsh, but I don't think it was bad at all.
July 6, 2025
This YA book from the Gear's is an easy read. Yet it retains much of their valuable research, which is found in their adult books on the First Peoples of North America. Twig and Greyhawk are teenagers, yet are thrust into a dangerous, natural situation. There are not as many intertwining plot twists as the main story focuses on Twig growing in power as a Dreamer. It's an entertaining story.
November 29, 2017
I've read many of these with pleasure - but its been awhile.
February 20, 2018
THE BEST BOOK I EVER READ IN MY WHOLE LIFE!!!!
October 16, 2009
This book was fairly deceiving, and as of the beginning of this post, I'm still not sure how I'm going to rank it.
First - I know this is a story for children. I get that. I think it is a great tool to teach children about our history, and the other cultures that existed in Pre-Columbian North America. And I feel that way because I started reading the People books when I was 12, and I'm still reading them (and actively looking forward to new installments) 16 years later.
However, a few things struck me with this book that really jarred my way of thinking as I dug in.
1. I actively follow the Gears, read their blogs, read their interviews, get their monthly newsletter etc. Shouldn't they have mentioned somewhere that there was BLATANT plagiarism in this book, from People of the River? (Is it plagiarism if it's your own work? If you're asking people to pay $18 for a "new" book, I say yes.)
2. I recognize that this book was written for children and so the violence/maturity were cut down, and that's understandable, but that doesn't mean that the culture and the ways of the people needed to be watered down as well.
3. Maybe it was the mirror image first half of the book to the River, but I was disappointed in the depth of the story. I think I was expecting it to be less deep until the point where I started to read paragraphs that I already know by heart. Then I thought at worst it would be as good as the River was. Again disappointed.
My hope is that this book opens up the world that the Gears are so adept at producing to a younger audience. However, I hope that future books are not just recycled versions of previous works, and that they are able to show more of the cultures and lifestyles of the people they are portraying.
I'm waffling between 2 and 3 out of anger. However, the book itself was alright, and if you hadn't read River 45 times, you probably would have enjoyed it. I'll give them the benefit of 3 stars, but next time just let us know!
2.
First - I know this is a story for children. I get that. I think it is a great tool to teach children about our history, and the other cultures that existed in Pre-Columbian North America. And I feel that way because I started reading the People books when I was 12, and I'm still reading them (and actively looking forward to new installments) 16 years later.
However, a few things struck me with this book that really jarred my way of thinking as I dug in.
1. I actively follow the Gears, read their blogs, read their interviews, get their monthly newsletter etc. Shouldn't they have mentioned somewhere that there was BLATANT plagiarism in this book, from People of the River? (Is it plagiarism if it's your own work? If you're asking people to pay $18 for a "new" book, I say yes.)
2. I recognize that this book was written for children and so the violence/maturity were cut down, and that's understandable, but that doesn't mean that the culture and the ways of the people needed to be watered down as well.
3. Maybe it was the mirror image first half of the book to the River, but I was disappointed in the depth of the story. I think I was expecting it to be less deep until the point where I started to read paragraphs that I already know by heart. Then I thought at worst it would be as good as the River was. Again disappointed.
My hope is that this book opens up the world that the Gears are so adept at producing to a younger audience. However, I hope that future books are not just recycled versions of previous works, and that they are able to show more of the cultures and lifestyles of the people they are portraying.
I'm waffling between 2 and 3 out of anger. However, the book itself was alright, and if you hadn't read River 45 times, you probably would have enjoyed it. I'll give them the benefit of 3 stars, but next time just let us know!
2.
July 31, 2018
Children of the Dawnland (Hardcover)
by Kathleen O'Neal Gear , W. Michael Gear
As usual a great story with a lot of personal and physical problems and triumphs, looks like a great series can't wait for the next book. This is a young adult story that I have shared with a number of libraries in the district. I have been fortunate to give out signed editions to the schools. The strongest of reasons I gave this book out its is a great bully proofing book for middle schools. These characters as middle school age students are able to change the world they live in, its their heroism that makes not only the story but saves her people. The Archaeology of the book shows the Channeled Scablands of Washington state. The native peoples had been living in the area in ice caves and camps on the edge of the largest Ice pack in the world. The high walls made a small habitable climate that could be exploited by people. The growth in the valley fed by the melting ice, and the animals on the ice pack. The problem is that ice was not stable, and its collapse will destroy everything in its path. This book is connected to the Gear's novel People of the Nightland. It is also a great introductory novel for young readers into historical fiction, archaeology, anthropology, and Us history, I think its important to have this book and others like it to help students gain an understand of the topic an the ideas.
by Kathleen O'Neal Gear , W. Michael Gear
As usual a great story with a lot of personal and physical problems and triumphs, looks like a great series can't wait for the next book. This is a young adult story that I have shared with a number of libraries in the district. I have been fortunate to give out signed editions to the schools. The strongest of reasons I gave this book out its is a great bully proofing book for middle schools. These characters as middle school age students are able to change the world they live in, its their heroism that makes not only the story but saves her people. The Archaeology of the book shows the Channeled Scablands of Washington state. The native peoples had been living in the area in ice caves and camps on the edge of the largest Ice pack in the world. The high walls made a small habitable climate that could be exploited by people. The growth in the valley fed by the melting ice, and the animals on the ice pack. The problem is that ice was not stable, and its collapse will destroy everything in its path. This book is connected to the Gear's novel People of the Nightland. It is also a great introductory novel for young readers into historical fiction, archaeology, anthropology, and Us history, I think its important to have this book and others like it to help students gain an understand of the topic an the ideas.
August 30, 2016
Children of the Dawnland is set 13,000 years ago in the northeast corner of North America, amidst a landscape dominated icebergs and wild animals. Twig, our heroine, is the daughter of her tribe’s shaman (Spirit Dreamer) and an unnamed father. Greyhawk is her best friend who is training to be a warrior, but doesn’t feel like he’s very good at it. The story is about coming of age and the end of an era. Twig is a strong Spirit Dreamer, even without training, and sees a great disaster about to befall her people. Along with Greyhawk, she must follow her dreams to save her loved ones from both man-made and natural disasters.
I greatly enjoyed this book and thought that it was wonderful how the writers didn’t “write down” to or oversimplify for their main audience – children. While there is mention of violence, it isn’t graphic and integrates well into the story. I think this is a good book for kids who have an interest in Native American history. It will make them want to find out more. It very well-written and historically as accurate as can be. Another wonderful addition to the Gears' bibliography.
I greatly enjoyed this book and thought that it was wonderful how the writers didn’t “write down” to or oversimplify for their main audience – children. While there is mention of violence, it isn’t graphic and integrates well into the story. I think this is a good book for kids who have an interest in Native American history. It will make them want to find out more. It very well-written and historically as accurate as can be. Another wonderful addition to the Gears' bibliography.
January 23, 2015
gr 4-8 332 pgs
end of the Ice Age/ 13,000 years ago, Great Lakes Region. 12 year old Twig, a member of the Clovis people is a Spirit Dreamer who can see the future. Twig's dreams of the future show that her people are in grave danger. The elders cannot believe that one so young could possibly be a Spirit Dreamer and refuse to listen. But Twig knows that the danger is real and is even willing to ask the witch Cobia and the crazy shaman Screech Owl for help.
I felt like the majority of the story took place in the "spirit world", so I would recommend this book to someone looking for a coming of age fantasy story. For someone looking for a story about prehistoric people, I would recommend Dickinson's "Suth's Story"
end of the Ice Age/ 13,000 years ago, Great Lakes Region. 12 year old Twig, a member of the Clovis people is a Spirit Dreamer who can see the future. Twig's dreams of the future show that her people are in grave danger. The elders cannot believe that one so young could possibly be a Spirit Dreamer and refuse to listen. But Twig knows that the danger is real and is even willing to ask the witch Cobia and the crazy shaman Screech Owl for help.
I felt like the majority of the story took place in the "spirit world", so I would recommend this book to someone looking for a coming of age fantasy story. For someone looking for a story about prehistoric people, I would recommend Dickinson's "Suth's Story"
February 8, 2017
It was a much shorter story than the other Gear books. I didn't enjoy it as much.
June 9, 2009
Nice read. Although this is YA, very similar to other books by the authors. The story is centered around the Clovis people and incorporates the science that speculates that a cataclysmic event occurred in North America around 13,000 years ago.
Parents who have an issue with religions other than Christianity might opt not to buy this for the younger suggested ages due to the prevalence of topics like spirit guides and possession, as well as some fairly gruesome descriptions of death and mutilation.
Parents who have an issue with religions other than Christianity might opt not to buy this for the younger suggested ages due to the prevalence of topics like spirit guides and possession, as well as some fairly gruesome descriptions of death and mutilation.
January 10, 2013
I was surprised to get an uncorrected advance reading copy from the library. The Gear's first YA book is almost like a short story compared to their other epic, historical novels. It was a fast read for me in that way and makes me want to dive into another of the adult novels, the First North Americans series and especially the Contact: The Battle for America series. Even though this is YA and is a lot less violent and no sexuality compared to their adult novels, it is still pretty violent. I would not hesitate to read the next in this series if they make one, or another YA Gear story.
May 8, 2015
I purchased Children of the Dawnland in an auction. It came with other books. I wasn't expecting much from this one because I am not really into books revolving around the Ice Age or Native culture in general. However, I was pleasantly surprised with this one. I felt as if the characters were well thought-out. The story started off slow, but became captivating about 3/4 of the way through. The story seemed to revolve around the 'coming of age' aspect more than anything else. Nonetheless, it was a good read and I would recommend it.
November 28, 2009
I think it's revealing that I'm so addicted and/or the Gears are such good story tellers that I was into the second chapter of this book before I realized that this was the Gear's first attempt at writing one of their pre-historic fables specifically for young readers. These two talented writers and archeologists should be now able to capture an entire new generation of rapt readers.
June 17, 2012
The O'Neal-Gear team has always been a huge cut above the genre of "ancient" historical fiction what with their impressive backround and credentials. With this "J" series perhaps a new generation will be able to discard the false suppositions inflicted by an older generations self justifying rationals..
March 15, 2013
This is a great book for students especially 5th grade or older who find Native American History (or parts of American history) boring, it'll give it a more adventurous, realistic feel. The Gear's did a fantastic job with there first Childrens based book on Native American Culture!
February 20, 2015
I loved this book. The characters are strong and the story is really all consuming. I've started reading it to my kids and they are so interested in the dynamic between the characters. I highly recommend this book.
July 1, 2009
Please find my review at http://www.myshelf.com/reviews.htm
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December 8, 2014I probably would have finished this book if the dialog was more accurate to the time of the story. Too many common words used that made the fantasy fall away. Too bad, it had promise.
Read
December 3, 2016Excellent! Well put together and very interesting.
March 28, 2010
Good young-adult book to introduce young readers to pre-history fiction.
September 23, 2010
i Loved it. need the rest of the trig.
December 16, 2011
I love first Americans literature and this one was a bit spiritual but still interesting.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews