Based on the archaeological and anthropological record, this story is a vivid and convincing drama depicting the lives of a small clan of ancient puebloans of northern New Mexico. It is set in the thirteenth century, long before Europeans reached the Southwest. The narrative is fresh, alive and fast-paced. The prose is highly polished and readable. Its strong, finely-drawn characters come to life showing us how they faced the challenges of climate, landscape, and survival. The themes of birth, death, love, hope, courage, fear, suffering and endurance ring true. It's as though the hundreds of years separating their experience from ours disappear. Based on the archaeological record and inspired by what it known about an actual pueblo, it feels incredibly authentic. This multi-generational story explores native American pre-history and the ancient puebloans as they set off on a great migration toward better lives.

Cindy's previous book, ANASTASIA'S BOOK OF DAYS, set at the end of the 18th century in southwestern Germany is a historic fiction based on the life of her great-great grandmother. Her two previous efforts were non-fiction works about the Colorado Plateau and desert Southwest. She has extensive experience teaching and writing about history and the natural world. In this book, she spreads her wings to beautifully weave a personal story into its historic context.