Ghost Hawk

Interesting to read some of the negative reviews as the book is well-conceived from a fictional standpoint. After all, how much history do we have from a Native's perspective from the time period of the pilgrims and Roger Williams?So not to give anything specific away, this is a story from a 1st American's viewpoint on the first settlers in the Massachusetts area. The author takes liberty with how characters may have responded to one another and it definitely puts the Europeans in a bad light. However, I am almost certain that her insight is as accurate or more than the white accounts we have been spoon-fed for over 300 years. I really appreciate how she wrote the settler's language as well as the Natives curiosity as to what they were saying it sounded authentic.Overall, I highly recommend this book to 5th grade teachers with higher level readers and it makes for a great read aloud. In fact, it's great for adults who want an easy read and have an open mind to think of this time period in a whole new way.

Ghost Hawk begins with the birth of Little Hawk, a member of the Pokanoket tribe of Massachusetts at the time of the arrival of the first white people. It follows his life until his death by a white man’s bullet at age twelve and then follows the story of John Wakely of about the same age until his death many years later by the bullet of a Native American. Throughout this time John and Little Hawk are friends, first meeting for a few times before Little Hawk’s death, after which John meets and is guided by Little Hawk’s spirit. It is powerful fiction in a historical setting. The story captures the conflict between the Native Americans who understand themselves as of the land and the Europeans who understand land as something you buy and sell. Sadly by the end of the story, the Native Americans find they must succumb to selling the land to continue to exist. This is also the sad tale on both sides of what happens when culture are more committed to building stronger walls rather than greater trust.

Only in the mind of the brilliant Susan Cooper could a story like this be steeped properly to be served up to the reader in such a magnificent way. Taking us back into the time in American history that has become more legendary than factual, Ms. Cooper crafts a tale of time and place with action that is expertly whispered into our consciousness with beauty, respect and the possibility of the sad truth of the time. Ghost Hawk honors the mythic traditions of the First People and invites us to witness this time in a way that compels the reader to question what they thought they knew; possibly opening the mind's door just enough to find time to venture out further into artifacts that might contain more stories from those times. A masterful novel for all ages.

I thoroughly enjoyed the realistic storyline describing early Colonial relationships and developing conflicts with the native Americans. It is easy to understand why interactions became difficult and misunderstood due to language, religion, and political agendas. Not so realistic perhaps was the longterm interracial relationship between the narrator, a native who was unfairly killed by a European settler, but lived on as a ghost, and his white colonial friend. Still it worked and I recommend this book for those interested in early American history.

The story is close to home for me, as most of it takes place in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. I love learning about Native American ways, and the author does a great job of it.

My son chose this as a historical fiction novel for his sixth grade class. It was perfect, and as I am a high school teacher, I thought it was excellent historical fiction. Very insightful. A really good story, and weaves in excellent perspective from that time period in a creative and interesting way. Unfortunately, because of the nature of the time period, a sad story… However, one we need to be aware of. Highly recommmended

Not one of her best books, but it's still okay. The Dark is Rising series is her BEST WORK.

Good little book. I enjoyed the reading. It is also a good bridge for teaching a American Indians unit

Beautifully written, evocative and at times almost unbearably moving. This book is a rewarding read for both middle grade, YA and adults. I loved it. The story of Little Hawk's experience of the English settlers, some with bigoted interpretations of their own religion, and their interactions with the indigenous native people is an ongoing parable of the past and present. Susan Cooper brilliantly shines a light on a troubled period of history through the eyes of her believable, sympathetic and convincing characters, both English and Native. Uplifting in parts, troubling in others. She leaves us with many questions. I walked around thinking about this book for days after I finished reading it. Another classic by this immensely talented and sensitive author.

An extraordinary and beautifully written book describing the wonderful relationship between an English boy and an American Native Indian, during the time that the white men were taking over the native Indians land. It's a truly stunning book and to be highly recommended.

This story is superb. It has parallel lives within it, with a faux finale and final triumph. Much research has been done by Cooper to ensure that historical accuracy has been achieved. Identification with those events enables the reader to follow events further in more detail. This story would be a fantastic individual, family and group read. It is difficult to say much more, without giving too much away, but this was a massive competitor for being favorite within our group this year.

bought this book for my son (10 yrs) and he loved it somuch he didn't want to stop (even to go skiing and he loves that).the vocabulary isn't that difficult, but it is good to teach your kids the history of New England without them realising it.it's quite sad that someone gets killed for no reason at all, but in the end it is satisfying and soothing.recomended age: 11yrs

To be perfectly honest when I finished this book I was relieved. The book was average, there were good parts and bad parts. After the twist in th ploy the book became tiresome but I did like how it. I would recommend this book to children aged 8-10 that don't get upset about books with war and killing in. The book isn't gruesome but younger children could get upset with a fe of the things that happen in the book.