Sees Behind Trees

by Michael Dorris

Overview

This beautiful coming-of-age story captures one young Powhatan boy's road to truly finding himself.

No matter how hard he tries, nearsighted Walnut just can't earn his adult name the way other boys do, by hitting a target with a bow and arrow. With his highly developed other senses, however, he shows he can "see what can't be seen" and earns a new name: Sees Behind Trees. But his special skill proves to be more important than he'd ever imagined when is invited to go on a journey to a mysterious land, a trek filled with unforeseen challenges and dangers. 

Told with heart, this is a lyrical novel about an Indigenous boy searching for his place amongst his community.  

"Set in 16th century America, this richly imagined and gorgeously written rite-of-passage story has the gravity of legend." —Booklist, starred 

A School Library Journal Best Book
A Publishers Weekly Best Book
A Book Links Best Book

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786813575
Publisher:	Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	05/18/1999
Edition description:	REVISED
Pages:	112
Sales rank:	139,124
Product dimensions:	5.25(w) x 7.15(h) x 0.80(d)
Lexile:	840L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Michael Dorris (1945-1997) wrote several acclaimed and award-winning books for young readers and adults, including Guests, Morning Girl, and The Window. 

Editorial Reviews

Dorris's (Morning Girl) eloquent, beautifully crafted coming-of-age tale centers on Walnut, a near-sighted Native American boy whose uncanny ability to use his other senses earns him the adult name Sees Behind Trees. Set in the distant, pre-colonial past, the story finds the boy moving hesitantly into adulthoodgradually gaining confidence in himself and his perceptions; learning humility when he prizes his talents too highly; earning the respect of his tribe when he escorts an elderly wise man on a dangerous journey. Both sharply and lyrically observed, fraught with emotion, the first-person narrative should connect strongly with a young audience, who will quickly learn that, no matter the century or the culture, the fundamentals of growing up remain very much the same. The authenticity of the characterizations and setting will ease readers toward acceptance of the quasi-mystical adventure that crowns the story. It's a thrilling read, with the pleasures compounding at every turn of the page. Ages 8-up. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Gr 4-8This compelling coming-of-age story set in pre-Columbian America is rich in imagery and chock-full of wisdom. The novel begins as Walnut, a bright and earnest, but seriously myopic boy realizes that, try as he might, he will never master the skills he needs to become a competent hunter. His mother, who is responsible for his training, takes a different tack and encourages him to "look with his ears." The boy hones his unusual talent so well that he earns the right to his grown-up name. Because of his ability to "to see what can't be seen," he is given special status within the tribe and is selected to accompany Gray Fire, a respected village elder, on a pilgrimage to find the land of water, a place that has eluded the old man since his youth. Much of the book deals with their journey, during which Sees Behind Trees learns a great deal from Gray Fire about the nature of dreams and gains some valuable self-knowledge in the process. The young man encounters "strangers" for the first time, is tested physically and spiritually, and ultimately proves himself a man by finding his way home. There's a timeless quality to this 15th-century adventure that will be meaningful and immediate for young people today. Dorris takes on some meaty existential issues here; he does so with grace, bighearted empathy, and always with crystal-clear vision.Luann Toth, School Library Journal

School Library Journal