Bone Man: A Native American Modoc Tale

Told by his grandmother from an early age about his destiny to defeat the Bone Man and bring water back to his village, young Nulwee lives in fear of the moment when he will have to confront his dreaded enemy

Grade 3-5. McCurdy's stark scratchboard illustrations bring an appropriate, near-grotesque atmosphere to this Modoc monster story. Against a backdrop of a mostly black field, brisk lines streaked with subdued earthy tones deftly fashion both a malevolent creature and a likable young protagonist. Since his birth, Nulwee has been repeatedly told by his grandmother that one day he must kill the Bone Man. This huge skeletal creature who now lies asleep had, in an evil rage, drunk the river dry and devoured all of the people. Then one day, Nulwee unwittingly awakes the Bone Man, whose daily demands for food increase his strength and power. Finally, taunted beyond endurance, the boy gathers his courage and, remembering that the Bone Man's heart is in his little finger, carefully aims his arrow and destroys the evil creature. Author and artist notes give helpful background information about this rite-of-passage story. The monster element will spark children's imaginations, making this a good tale to use beyond Native American studies.?Barbara Elleman, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI
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