If you are a person who has unresolved issues with your family, or are someone who works or is planning to work in social services, you will probably gain a lot from reading this book. As I don't fall into those categories ( well we all have unresolved issues with our families, but I'm talking about the major kind that affect your mental health)I have to review it on its literary merits-and they are many.

At first, I must admit, I was a little disappointed. I have come to expect a little "extra" from Native American writers. Whether it's mysticism or time travel, or simply the dry wit of a Sherman Alexie, I assume that Native American literature will take some unusual twists and turns. For the most part Egawa's telling is pretty straight forward. But eventually I found that this approach actually added to the story, especially as the author managed to avoid all the obvious cliches a story of this type lends itself to.

Egawa is very good at portraying familial relationships, but, by far his best talent is his handling of the children the main character deals with. Many authors have difficulty portraying children, and especially teens realistically and in all their complexities. Egawa does it very well, right down to the body language.

In all I would say Egawa is off to a good start and I look forward to some of his other work.

From the moment I began reading this book, I couldn't put it down. It grabbed my attention and never let go. Keith Egawa has written from his heart with the true insight and compassion one who works in his field seldom has. He takes us into his personal world of social work and beyond, into the realm of what it means being Indian in America. My heart was brought along for the ride...and when it was over I sat in awe.

Lynda "Spiritdove" Imburgia

highly descriptive, fast moving, angst filled, intensely gripping novel that captures the plight of a young man coming of age. this rough-edged first novel simmers with energy. like any good author, egawa draws the reader into a foreign land and sketches from the reader's imagination using the familiar emotions and common issues. a must read.