Moon of Two Dark Horses (by Sally M. Keehn)

common sense media says

Haunting tale set during the Revolutionary War.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this book explores tensions among white settlers and Native Americans at the time of the Revolution.

Positive messages: Much racism between Whites and Indians, but the main characters do not succumb to it.
Violence: Brief torture. A white man cuts off the ears of an Indian he has killed.
Sex: Menstruation is mentioned.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Drinking by a trader.

More on Moon of Two Dark Horses

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the friendship between the two boys. Why are they so close? This can be a good starting point for further reading on the Revolution and the loyalties that united and divided settlers and Native Americans at the time.

What's the story?

What's the story?
As the Revolutionary War begins, best friends Daniel and Coshmoo are being torn apart. Coshmoo is a Delaware Indian boy, part of a tribe striving to remain neutral in the face of fierce pressure to join the British. Daniel is a settler and on the Patriot side. Their belief in dreams and stories is the beginning of their efforts to hold on to friendship and prevent their people from destroying each other in war. Based on the true story of Queen Esther of the Delawares of Tioga Point.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

The darkly foreboding, mystical atmosphere is set up by the narrator, Coshmoo, who is dead. His spirit whispers the story on the wind in the branches of an ash tree. His tale is filled with portents and metaphorical visions, and told in the kind of lyrical language that stories of Native Americans tend to inspire.

Pervaded by a sense of urgency and impending disaster, as the age-old cycle of revenge and hatred begins to replay along the Susquehanna River, this compelling novel flows ever faster to its inevitable, tragic conclusion.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Sally M. Keehn
Publisher: Penguin Group
Publication date: February 22, 2004
Number of pages: 218
Hardcover price: $16.96

This review was written by Matt Berman
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

lgp87
teen, 17 years old
 
DO NOT READ THIS BOOK
If you're going to read this book you should have some pain killers near by. This book is terrible. It was not written well and makes me want to bang my head of the chalkboard. They mention the word musket or gun about 10 times a page and it is very annoying. If you are a teacher I ask you not to make your kids read this book. Save yourself the pain and the misery and read another book.

 
that book is good
that book is so wicked awsome id rather read that book then watch MTV or skateboard!

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