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Crossing the Panther's Path
A rousing historical novel about the War of 1812
Fifteen-year-old Billy Calder, half Irish, half Mohawk, is a bright student at his Jesuit boarding school, fluent in several European and Indian tongues, who is disgusted by the aggressive, unfair tactics of the United States government in
its dealings with and treatment of Native American peoples. He has the good fortune while visiting his father, a captain of the British Army, to meet Tecumseh, the Shawnee chief whose name means “the Panther Passing Across.” Tecumseh is seeking support from British officers for his plans to unite numerous Indian tribes to fight the encroachment of Americans into the upper Midwest.
Though Billy is eager to join the cause of Tecumseh, he’s compelled to wait until he is a bit older. When he can stand it no longer, he finds his way to the village of Tippecanoe, where he becomes Tecumseh’s occasional confidant and principal interpreter. As failed negotiations with U.S. leaders make war inevitable, Billy never loses faith in the great chief or his goals, and is ready to face the battles ahead, whatever the consequences.
Fifteen-year-old Billy Calder, half Irish, half Mohawk, is a bright student at his Jesuit boarding school, fluent in several European and Indian tongues, who is disgusted by the aggressive, unfair tactics of the United States government in
its dealings with and treatment of Native American peoples. He has the good fortune while visiting his father, a captain of the British Army, to meet Tecumseh, the Shawnee chief whose name means “the Panther Passing Across.” Tecumseh is seeking support from British officers for his plans to unite numerous Indian tribes to fight the encroachment of Americans into the upper Midwest.
Though Billy is eager to join the cause of Tecumseh, he’s compelled to wait until he is a bit older. When he can stand it no longer, he finds his way to the village of Tippecanoe, where he becomes Tecumseh’s occasional confidant and principal interpreter. As failed negotiations with U.S. leaders make war inevitable, Billy never loses faith in the great chief or his goals, and is ready to face the battles ahead, whatever the consequences.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published May 10, 2002
56 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 31, 2019
Personal Response:
I like Crossing the Panther’s Path because it happens in 1811 and it follows closely to the facts on the War of 1812. The author, Elizabeth Alder, does her research at the beginning of the War of 1812 and goes to Ohio herself to get the information. The book is confusing because it gets straight to the point and has no introduction.
Plot:
The book is about fifteen-year-old Billy Calder who is half Irish and half Mohawk. The Native Americans are upset with the English because they are settling in their land and breaking their promise to stay east of the Application mountain. Tecumseh, a Native American, is seeking help from the British to fight the Americans and force off their land. After many long fights between the natives and the colonists, the tribe loses the war. Billy still believes in his chief and is ready to deal with any problem.
Characterization:
The main character is Billy Calder. He is the son of an Irish man and the son of Mohawk woman. Billy travels the country to trade fur. He witnesses some battles and admires his chief.
Tecumseh is best friends with Billy and is the chief of the Shawnee people. Tecumseh has concerns that Americans are taking over the land and he does not want war. He will fight if he needs to get his tribe’s land back.
Setting:
It takes place back in 1812 in Ohio and Illinois. It is the start of a war between the natives and American settlers. The natives are complaining that soon all of their lands will be gone and they will be completely removed from their land. They lose the war and the colonists force them to leave. The setting is important because Ohio and Illinois is where the War of 1812 actually happens.
Recommendation:
I would recommend this book to males or females who like adventure and the art of warfare. There should be an age limit of 16 due to the book’s mature content and reading level being high. It is a great book overall and gives a story of life during the War of 1812.
I like Crossing the Panther’s Path because it happens in 1811 and it follows closely to the facts on the War of 1812. The author, Elizabeth Alder, does her research at the beginning of the War of 1812 and goes to Ohio herself to get the information. The book is confusing because it gets straight to the point and has no introduction.
Plot:
The book is about fifteen-year-old Billy Calder who is half Irish and half Mohawk. The Native Americans are upset with the English because they are settling in their land and breaking their promise to stay east of the Application mountain. Tecumseh, a Native American, is seeking help from the British to fight the Americans and force off their land. After many long fights between the natives and the colonists, the tribe loses the war. Billy still believes in his chief and is ready to deal with any problem.
Characterization:
The main character is Billy Calder. He is the son of an Irish man and the son of Mohawk woman. Billy travels the country to trade fur. He witnesses some battles and admires his chief.
Tecumseh is best friends with Billy and is the chief of the Shawnee people. Tecumseh has concerns that Americans are taking over the land and he does not want war. He will fight if he needs to get his tribe’s land back.
Setting:
It takes place back in 1812 in Ohio and Illinois. It is the start of a war between the natives and American settlers. The natives are complaining that soon all of their lands will be gone and they will be completely removed from their land. They lose the war and the colonists force them to leave. The setting is important because Ohio and Illinois is where the War of 1812 actually happens.
Recommendation:
I would recommend this book to males or females who like adventure and the art of warfare. There should be an age limit of 16 due to the book’s mature content and reading level being high. It is a great book overall and gives a story of life during the War of 1812.
May 18, 2017
Didn't know anything about Tecumseh until I read this book. Of course, then I wanted to know more!
August 31, 2008
Tecumseh and the not so pretty American history that lead to the war of 1812 comes to life in this wonderfully researched and told tale.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews