Dre has waited twelve summers to become a man, but during his ceremony
the chief banishes his uncle, his mother, and even Dre himself. Thrust into the
desert, he struggles to protect himself and his mother from his drug-addicted
uncle—and certain death in the barren land.
With only a golden eagle to guide him, Dre struggles to find a source of
food and water. Abuse from his uncle and trouble with a neighboring clan could
destroy his chance for survival and keep him from finding his place in the
world. Dre must learn what real manhood
is if he hopes to survive in the harsh environment.
Praise for Banished
"Monson well deserves the title of storyteller, for she has truly captured
the music echoing
from Hopi tradition and culture." Marilyn
Brown Award
Utah Valley University Marilyn Brown Award,
1st Place Winner
Utah Arts Council, 2nd Place Winner
"Beautifully written. This book is full of adventure, danger, and
self-discovery, with details of Native American life that really bring
this story alive. A perfect choice for a young boy reader, but girls
will love it too."
Margot
"The story weaves facts, traditions and beliefs of Native American cultures into a story that is applicable and interesting for kids (and adults). I read the story out loud to my boys (8 and 11) so we could experience the book together. They wanted to keep reading, chapter after chapter and if it had been up to them, we would have finished the book much faster. They could relate to Dre, his experiences, and his desire to protect his mother and honor his late father." Jodi
"A must read for any young man facing the challenges of growing up, finding his path and being true to himself. Although the main characters are boys, girls will enjoy the beauty of the story that addresses Hopi traditions and culture. Determined to to survive on his own so he can care for his mother and unborn brother, Dre faces threats that are both real and life threatening." Robyn
