Changes for Kaya

Author: Janet Shaw
Book Review by: Catherine, age 8

At the beginning of the book, Changes for Kaya, Kaya and Speaking Rain, Kaya's blind sister, are told to watch a few children, including Kaya's young twin brothers, Wing Feather and Sparrow. However, the other women and girls gathered roots and berries. Kaya can't join them because she is still mourning in her heart for her namesake, Swan Circling. The Indians in this book believe that if you are mourning in your heart when you are picking food, it ruins the food. Later on in the book when the men are hunting, Kaya spots a herd of horses, she thinks her lost horse Steps High could be in the herd. However, Kaya doesn't know her horse had a foal (a baby horse). Later on in the book, Kaya tells Toe-Ta (a name for father) this, he said, there's not a big chance your horse is in that herd. However, Toe-Ta, Kaya, and a boy named Raven go to look for the herd. When they find Steps High they are surprised to see Steps High's foal. When they start to head home, a fire starts to spread, Kaya gets lost because Steps High runs away to find her foal. Finally, Steps High comes back with her foal. Kaya trys her best to get through the fire. She can't! She finally gets home when she hears a whistle. She follows it. At the end of her adventure, Kaya names the foal Sparks Flying. Kaya sure had an adventure! Eventually, Kaya does stop mourning. I really liked this book. To find more about this book, read it! Have fun reading it!