Janet Beeler Shaw

"Kirsten and her family celebrate their first Christmas in their new home on Uncle Olav's farm in mid-nineteenth-century Minnesota." --

After immigrating from Sweden to join relatives in an American prairie community, Kirsten endures the ordeal of a strange schoolthrough a secret friendship with an Indian girl.

Ten-year-old Kirsten is proud and excited when she finds a bee tree full of honey, one of the natural treasures of her Minnesota frontier world, but she exposes herself to great danger by trying to harvest the honey by herself.

In 1765, the arrival of an injured stranger from another tribe, traveling alone and apparently unable to speak, arouses suspicion in Kaya's Nez Percé village. Includes glossary and historical notes on the Nez Percé Indians.

Still grieving over the death of her hero, and missing her stolen horse and kidnapped younger sister, Kaya tries to earn the trust of a lone and starving dog who is about to have puppies. Includes historical notes on Nez Perce children.

When Kaya and her family join with other Nez Perce and Salish Indians to fish for the red salmon, she and her older sister hope to be reunited with their younger sister, who had been kidnapped some time before. Includes historical notes on the summer activities of the Nez Perce Indians.

When a new girl arrives at school, Kirsten is jealous, completely forgetting how scared and lonely she felt the year before when she was the new girl in school. Gives instructions for making a friendship pillow like those made in the 1850s.

In 1854, Kirsten and her cousins look after the farm while the adults go to town for supplies and everything is fine--until a blizzard surprises them.

Kaya's Nez Perce people are known for their skill with horses, and Kaya hopes to become the best horsewoman in the village. But after accepting a foolish challenge that puts her brothers in danger, Kaya earns a punishment and an insulting nickname. Kaya is inspired by a brave young woman in her village, and is determined to make better choices. Will Kaya prove that she can change--and lose that horrible nickname?

Tells the story of Kaya, a Nez Percé Indian living in the 1700s.