Heartwood - Softcover

Mary E. Burns

Softcover

ISBN 10: 096567634X ISBN 13: 9780965676342

Publisher: Manitowish River Press, 2003

Synopsis

The soul of every tree is alive in its dark center, Kelly s grandmother had often said. But neither Kelly nor her grandparents imagined that the trees really were alive, at least not until Kelly s twelfth summer when the tree-spirit that lives in Kelly s bedroom speaks to her. The white pine trees are in danger, and they believe that Kelly can save them. A century ago, her great-grandfather had been one of the loggers who had helped clearcut the northwoods of Wisconsin. Yet, he had made a promise to the ancient trees that his great-grandaughter would come back to restore their spirit when the time was right. That time has come. Thus begins Kelly s travels across the upper Midwest and back into time, where she must bring back four essential elements of life that were lost. Her journeys take her into the ice age, to an ancient Ojibwe village along Lake Superior, to a meeting in a blizzard with a snowy owl, and finally to a sharing of spirit and mind with numerous animals and plants that live in the lakes, rivers, and forests of the northwoods. All along the way, Kelly and her grandfather discover much that they never knew about their own past, and what they can do to restore forests in their own time.

About this title

About the Author

Heartwood is Mary Burns' first novel. She is a contributing author to A Place to Which We Belong: Wisconsin Authors on Wisconsin Landscapes (1999). Ms. Burns also works as a professional fiber artist in Wisconsin's northwoods.

Review

Mary E. Burns debut novel Heartwood is a thoroughly delightful fantasy for young adult readers. Kelly is a 12-year-old girl who speaks with a white pine tree spirit. That s how she learns that the trees are in danger, and only she can save them by traveling into the past itself and resurrecting the heartwood. A warm and magical narrative enhanced by the skillful illustrations of studio artist Peggy Grinvalsky, heartwood is very highly recommending reading and even offers some white pine seeds for planting! --Midwest Book Review

This slim volume is perfect for inter-generational sharing as a read aloud. Young readers will be drawn into the fantasy and left wanting to know more about the history and geography of the Great Lakes area. --Kris Adams Wendt, Rhinelander District Library Director

Heartwood does much more than inform students of the extent of our threatened environment Burns takes the highroad and helps us all to see and nurture a new vision for our relationship with the planet, our communities, and our families . . . Burns has created a new and powerful myth. --Kathleen Adee, Wisconsin 2001 Environmental Educator of the Year

About this edition

• Publisher: Manitowish River Press
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 096567634X
• ISBN 13: 9780965676342
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 144
• Illustrator: Peggy Grinvalsky