Rosanne Parry has gotten a lot of flack for this book, and I think that's unfair. I found it to be a sensitively written, sincere attempt at writing great historical fiction with a native main character. It was a good story that celebrated native life in the pacific Northwest in the 1920s. Well done. ( )

A 13-year-old girl struggles to preserve the livelihood (hunting whales) and cultural heritage of her Makah tribe in the Pacific Northwest during the 1920s age of ship industrialization

I enjoyed this story and the care that was taken to tell it. The information included after the story to help readers learn more about native culture is appreciated. I find myself looking for ways to include it in my teaching and I look forward to reading more of Rosanne Perry's books. ( )

Thirteen-year-old Pearl’s world was changing. It is 1923, but her villager’s way of life seemed to be gone forever when their best hunters spent weeks on the ocean but couldn’t find whales. For generations, the Makah tribe hunted whales surviving on its bounty, but commercial ships and the white man’s way of life changed everything for them.

Read the rest of my review on my blog (don't forget to follow my blog!): http://shouldireaditornot.wordpress.com/2013/07/11/written-in-stone-rosanne-parr... ( )

Pearl wants to be a whale hunter like her dad, but in her Macah Indian culture of the Northwest, it is not allowed. All alone after her dad dies in a whale hunt, Pearl is taken care of by extended family. It is a time of change for her people in the early 1900's, as their old way of life is dying off with the great whales and their culture is becoming more intertwined with the local townspeople. When an alleged art collector approaches to buy family heirlooms, Pearl is suspicious and finds a way to protect her people from losing important mineral rights to their land. Through it all, Pearl learns how she can help sustain her tribe, protect their heritage and become vital to her family and community. This 196 page work of historical fiction is especially well-suited to girls in grades 5-7. ( )