About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the feeling of being an outsider or when they are ready for a complex fantasy that honors the power of personal voice and creative expression. Set in a prehistoric land, the story follows five siblings who are forced to flee their village because their physical appearance makes them targets of suspicion during a time of war. Tanaqui, the protagonist, uses her skill in weaving to record their journey and eventually to discover a unique form of magic that can combat an ancient, soul-stealing evil. This is a profound choice for middle schoolers who enjoy high fantasy but are looking for something more cerebral and artistically focused than typical action-oriented quests. It explores heavy themes of cultural identity and displacement with a sophisticated, lyrical tone that rewards careful reading. Parents will appreciate the strong sibling bonds and the message that one's unique differences are often the source of their greatest strength.
