JANUARY 2020 - AudioFile
Narrator Ramón de Ocampo takes listeners on a journey to a mountain village in the Philippines at the end of the nineteenth century. Samkad is thrilled when he is chosen by the Bontoc tribe ancients for the rite of passage to become a man, but circumstances intervene as his remote village is thrust unwillingly into the Philippine-American war. Between their local rivals, the Mangili tribe, and the American soldiers with their guns, Samkad and his father are unsure who their true enemies are. Many listeners will be unfamiliar with this period in history and the rich heritage of the native Philippine people, but de Ocampo makes Samkad’s first-person point of view sound vibrant and compelling. De Ocampo engages listeners’ empathy for Samkad and his rapidly changing world. S.C. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
Publishers Weekly
09/30/2019
In 1899, Samkad, part of the Bontoc tribe in the Philippines, is preparing for a rite of passage when a snake attack delays the ceremony. In order for the rite to proceed, he must find a boy, Kinyo, whose soul is tied to his own. Once Kinyo is found, though, new complications arise. Wearing Western-style clothing and speaking fluent English, Kinyo arrives with his aunt and Mister William, a white American. The group shares the news of Kinyo’s burnt village and a war fought against American invaders. Touching upon timely subjects, such as cultural assimilation and prejudice, Gourlay (Shine) writes with graphic frankness about the realities of war and violence (“I could feel the soft heat swiftly dissipating, turning the warm, living flesh into cold, unyielding meat... my knees were dripping. Blood”). Steeped in Filipino tradition, this richly historic coming-of-age novel shows readers a rare view of the Philippines on the brink of American colonization. Ages 10–14. (Nov.)
From the Publisher
Praise for Bone Talk in the UK"One of the standout titles of the year." — Clare Zinkin, The Independent"Gourlay's evocative writing grips from the outset." — Imogen Russell Williams, The Guardian "Books of the Month""A powerful, complex and fascinating coming-of-age novel." — Citation, Costa Book Award"This is a book that takes the reader on a memorable journey and stays in the mind for a long time." Citation, Carnegie Medal Shortlist"Opens our minds to a little-known corner of history through Samkad's authentic, transfixing voice. Very special." — Alex O'Connell, The Times "Books of the Year""A soulful coming of age story rich in Filipino myth and tradition, combined with a thrilling adventure of headhunters and invaders, asking powerful questions about community, colonialism and what it means to be a man." The Bookseller "Ones to Watch""A mesmerising world of soulful ritual and community, rendering the impact of the American invasion all the more devastating." — The Observer"Exciting and action-packed, it's well written and difficult to put down. My fave character is Kinyo (Samkad's brother) because he bravely stands up against his enemies and can speak two languages." — Edward (10 years old), National Geographic Kids Featured Book
School Library Journal
11/01/2019
Gr 5–7—Centering on a small mountain village in the Philippines at the end of the 19th century, this novel is an unparalleled story of one boy's journey towards manhood and knowledge of the world beyond. Samkad and Little Luki are best friends. They do everything together, from playing tricks on the ancients to rambling through the forests that surround their home. But things are about to change. Samkad has been chosen to become a man, and Luki is jealous. She will never hold a spear or become a warrior because she's a girl. Yet on the eve of the ceremony, things begin to go terribly wrong. Father hastens away in search of a boy Samkad once knew, and returns with news of the lowlanders, "Americans," and war. Everything changes, and before long Samkad and Luki must show what they are truly capable of. In a genre full of coming-of-age stories, Gourlay brings a new and authentic voice to the table with this story about native people living in the Philippine mountains prior to the Philippine-American war. For many readers, it may be an unfamiliar period in history, full of rich traditions and practices. Yet these distinct triumphs and tragedies succeed in heightening readers' empathy for a people devastated by violence and change. VERDICT This title presents a captivating story about the strength of heritage and community. Likely to do well among young readers interested in untold stories of the past.—Rebecca Redinger, Lincoln Park Branch, Chicago Public Library
JANUARY 2020 - AudioFile
Narrator Ramón de Ocampo takes listeners on a journey to a mountain village in the Philippines at the end of the nineteenth century. Samkad is thrilled when he is chosen by the Bontoc tribe ancients for the rite of passage to become a man, but circumstances intervene as his remote village is thrust unwillingly into the Philippine-American war. Between their local rivals, the Mangili tribe, and the American soldiers with their guns, Samkad and his father are unsure who their true enemies are. Many listeners will be unfamiliar with this period in history and the rich heritage of the native Philippine people, but de Ocampo makes Samkad’s first-person point of view sound vibrant and compelling. De Ocampo engages listeners’ empathy for Samkad and his rapidly changing world. S.C. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
2019-07-28
On the eve of his coming-of-age ritual, Samkad and his village find themselves on the verge of a changing world.
A member of the mountain tribe in 1899 Bontok, Philippines, Samkad is elated that the ancients have deemed it is his time to get the Cut, the ritual to be considered a man and a warrior. A bad omen at a preritual prompts a reading that reveals a provision: Samkad's soul is tied to Kinyo's, the son of a family friend the same age who was given to his aunt outside the village in infancy. Both must return to the village in order to proceed. Samkad's father departs to search for Kinyo while Samkad and his female friend Luki look for other ways to prove his manhood. Father returns with Kinyo, who is now also fluent in English and wears Western-style clothing, accompanied by his aunt and Mr. William, a white American. Complications arise with the appearance of more Americans soliciting help from the village amid sightings of their blood enemy, the Mangili. Samkad and his father must warily navigate who the true enemies are. Writing in Samkad's voice, Gourlay paints an intricate backdrop steeped in mystical and brutal imagery. Carefully built suspense and twists engage readers but occasionally overlook intriguing inner conflicts of characters, in particular the Americanized Kinyo and the tomboyish Luki.
A visceral coming-of-age novel examining the impacts of imperialism. (Historical fiction. 10-13)
