One stormy May night, just as Tom Olsen is about to leave with his Native American friends to visit his grandfather’s grave deep in Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula wilderness, he answers a knock at his door to find an abandoned thirteen year old girl. The girl announces her name is Sarah Cooley and that Tom is her grandfather. She tells Tom he lives at the end of the earth. All she sees is … she sees is dripping forest, tall trees, rain and wind. Astonished, all Tom sees is trouble. He knows he should cancel the trip and deal with Sarah, but when his friends suggest bringing Sarah along, Tom reluctantly agrees, hoping a backpacking trip might teach Sarah some sorely needed lessons about character, responsibility and grit.
All too soon, Tom and his friends have reason to wonder – are they taking Sarah Cooley on this journey, or is she taking them?
Adventure, scientific inquiry, a tinge of mystery, and a hint of the unexplainable infuse this meticulously-imagined tale. In a story matching the breathtaking scope of its Pacific Northwest and North Pacific setting, Sheldon’s tale startles, yet challenges us to think.
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Who Leads Who?
It’s a stormy night in May but Tom Olsen is all set for his trek to the backcountry. He intends to visit his grandfather’s grave with his Indian friends, William and Myra. As they prepare their gear, Tom’s ex-wife, Ruth, suddenly shows up at his house. She brings along a teenage girl and declares to leave her with Tom. Ruth introduces the girl as Sarah, Tom’s granddaughter.
This is how the story of Strong Heart begins. Written by Charlie Sheldon, the book is a historical fiction set in Washington’s Olympic National Park.
The Conflict Begins
The stormy weather serves like a premonition of the things to happen next. Tom’s life takes a new turn as soon as Sarah arrives. He never expects a granddaughter from Becky. Now, he is torn between bringing Sarah along on his hike to the wilderness or canceling the trip. William and Myra suggest it’s better for Sarah to tag along. And so, the trip is now composed of three adults and a teenage girl.
Even if the adults have been to the Olympic National Park many times prior, this day’s trek is made more difficult. Sarah is ornery, continually complaining about everything. Plus, they have to deal with the changing weather.
Then, something remarkable happens in the wilderness. Sarah mysteriously disappears with Tom’s artifact. For eight days, the adults frantically search for her. On the eighth day, she suddenly reappears exhausted and covered in mud. She recounts that she and some others were kidnapped by strange-speaking people. She says they traveled in a canoe towards a certain place. Tom, William, and Myra find Sarah’s story incredible. How could they believe it? The girl got lost for eight days without food, exposed to the elements, and yet she survived? Did she actually travel, or was she just hallucinating? How, then, the adults handle Sarah’s tale?
What does it mean when Myra says the park is a land of history, magic, and legend. Do the adults lead Sarah? Or, is it the other way around? Read Strong Heart and uncover the mystery for yourself.
The Book and the Author
I first read Adrift, the second installation of Charlie Sheldon’s Strong Heart Series because I did not know this book existed. I was impressed with the author’s mastery in storytelling then. He’s intense and full of passion for his work. Now, in Strong Heart, the author proves he is not only an excellent writer. He also does extensive research on the project and organizes his story well.
Sheldon’s descriptions of each scene are so vivid, the reader virtually feels the mist and the fresh scent of the forest. What I like the most in trong Heart is the author’s effort to instill the value of tradition, and the environment. I also like the dialogues regarding global warming.
In addition, I’d like to mention the part that I like the least. Sarah’s journey to another world is too long. Several characters are mentioned all at once. I can hardly digest who is who. Nevertheless, I understand this is an important part to establish the history of the tribes.
Moreover, on the technical side, Strong Heart is a well-proofread book. I didn’t see glaring typographical and grammatical errors. Therefore, I give the book a rating of 5 out of 5 stars, and I recommend it to readers of all age groups.
NOTE: A similar review of Strong Heart is found at The Catalyst and at Goodreads.
An amazing book about a lost past time, The characters are well developed, A wild girl lost in an older world. I really enjoy the reading.