Review of Strong Heart

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Morgan Alber
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Latest Review: Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon

Review of Strong Heart

Post by Morgan Alber »

[Following is a volunteer review of "Strong Heart" by Charlie Sheldon.]
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3 out of 4 stars
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I enjoyed reading the book Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon. I rate it as a 3 out of 4. It is an exciting story that blends modern-day issues with the ancient history of the region. I think young adults would enjoy the story and would be introduced to some interesting archeological theories in a fun format.

I did feel that some issues could have been better explained. I would have liked to know about the young girl, Sarah, and her life before the story began. I also would have liked less violence and more in-depth character development. The introduction of the survey team seemed superfluous. It added a choppiness and extra violence to the story that seemed unnecessary to me.

Charlie Sheldon is an interesting author and his biography at the end of the book was as enjoyable as the book itself. Charlie Sheldon has led an interesting life at sea. He obviously did a great deal of research into the history of the area of the Olympic National Park and the islands around British Columbia. The descriptions of the area are clear and very visual.

The story itself is actually two stories interwoven into one. It moves back and forth between the current day and all the complexities of family relationships, old friends, current events, and the troubled teenager and where she fits in this world. It then moves into a tale of the people that inhabited the area long before there was any written history. A world of short-faced bears, cold, snow, hunger, and survival at its most basic.

There is some mild profanity on page four as well as some references to Shamanism and magic. Some violence is woven throughout the book. It is not really graphic, but at times it feels unnecessary. I didn't find any significant grammar or spelling errors. It is well-edited.

The story follows a young girl named Sarah who is abruptly dropped at her grandfather Tom's house on the eve of his departure into the wilderness to check on his grandfather's grave. The two have never met, in fact, Tom did not know he had a granddaughter before she suddenly arrived. The friends accompanying Tom talk him into taking Sarah along on their trip. They point out that Tom's grandfather is Sarah's ancestor, too. The group ends up on quite an adventure in the backcountry of the Olympic National Park. They all learn a great deal about themselves and each other as well as the history of the area. When Sarah gets separated from the group, they discover that in spite of their differences, Sarah is a valued member of the family and the search for her is a test of strength for all involved.

All in all, it is a good read. An exciting adventure in a beautiful area with a solid dose of history to make it come alive.

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Strong Heart
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