In two parallel stories, a young female member of a prehistoric tribe becomes instrumental in advancing her people, and a present-day girl visits h...
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May 07, 2009
Jessica
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The book that made me want to be an archaeologist. Also which prompted the reading of Elaine Morgan's books later on. I still remember a surprising number of details and facts from it, given that I read it when I was young. Also I think I must have liked the idea of the dad wanting his daughter to come join him, since my own father apparently had no such wishes.
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Mar 09, 2009
Carol
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This is meant for adolescent readers but adults will also find it interesting. It is science fiction in a way, but speculating on a past life rather than future. It creates a possible ape-human society 3 or 4 million years ago, when human intellegence is emerging. This is alternated with a modern paleontology team on a dig looking for the "missing link". It is amusing how the alpha male rivalry of the ape-humans is mirrored in the paleontologists struggle for status. It is also in
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Jul 26, 2011
2004- There are really two, very parallel, stories told in this book, and they are only separated by a couple of million years. In the present, a young teenager named Vinny has convinced her mother to let her spend summer vacation with her father in Africa. Her father, Sam, is working in an archaeological site in Africa without much success. Vinny turns out to be his good luck charm. Flip back to the past and we see a teenager called Li that is half-ape, half-human that thinks way beyond her tim
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Sep 14, 2011
Theoren
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I know I read this in Sixth grade, and I know it was a long time ago, but I urge you, DO NOT READ THIS BOOK. Do not look at it, do not search for it, do not even smell it (okay that is kinda weird...). This book is that bad, overall the book just jumps from two plots that feel that they are completely random, I do not really want to go into too much detail due to the bad memories, and even this being in my "reads" list is going to taint my goodreads account for a while, so do not be as
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Sep 15, 2011
Annais
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This book was poorly written. The relation between the two stories was minimal. The story was hard to follow, 'cause I can't read when I fall asleep from boredom. The descriptions gave me no pictures in my mind, Dr. Hamiska was a big blur, and I only got a picture of the heat, which I honestly don't CARE about. It was a real page turner...I was eager to finish the book, and get it over with. I wouldn't have read it if my teacher didn't assign it. The only reason I even remember this book is beca
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Sep 01, 2011
Jean
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3+ really. I liked many things about this well written book. Dickinson writes beautifully and I stopped to reread several passages simply because of his obvious gift with language. I also enjoyed the well drawn characters and the author's ability to imagine another time millions of years ago. Sadly, I don't think the book is gripping enough (no vampires) to hold the interest of most of my students. However, those with a scientific bend or an interest in archaeology would find it fascinating.
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Aug 17, 2010
Chelsea
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i wasn't too terribly impressed. the parts that took place illions of years ago were well written but the parts which were supposed to be presend day were not well written at all the peices also didn't seem to fit together well enough to warrent beng part of the same book.
Sep 02, 2011
Elizabeth
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Brilliant writing! Adored this as a "young adult". Totally made me want to read The Naked Ape and The Descent of Woman.
I guess if you are not interested in writers describing what's going on inside characters' heads, you wouldn't be so into Dickinson's writing but I LOVE it.
I guess if you are not interested in writers describing what's going on inside characters' heads, you wouldn't be so into Dickinson's writing but I LOVE it.
Jun 06, 2009
Theoren
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The worst a book could ever get, in the beginning I was a little enthusiastic about the book, but as I continusly read, it got boring. It was really a waste of time...
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Oct 24, 2010
Tiffany
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This is the book that got me interested in anthropology and human evolution. I read it when I was 13, and am now completing my PhD in physical anthropology.
Apr 08, 2009
Joana
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So basically, it has a now and then chapter. Now is the present and then is the past. Things happens to make them connect together.
Sep 21, 2011
Susan
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I really enjoyed this book. I'm not interested in evolution, but the story was still interesting and fun to think about.
Sep 15, 2011
Francesca
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EW. thats all that it takes to describe this book
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Aug 07, 2008
Heather
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I couldn't quite give this one a full five. I think it was good, and I liked the way it really intertwined then and now (then: pre-human, missing link, primates; now: a young girl on a dig with her dad). What got on my nerves was the over-use of "hummock" and "hummocked". Every freaking page had the word on there. It was used multiple times to describe waves. Sheesh, get a thesaurus! Seriously, it was distracting to the point that I really couldn't think about the story line.
Oct 05, 2010
Kaethe
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Peter Dickinson is one of the authors I might never have discovered if not for Readerville. All of his work for adults and YA is excellent, but not flashy. There's something very quiet about his style. The author isn't at all intrusive.
This particular story is remarkable for the way it manages to intertwine the lives of modern people with those of prehistoric people, united through location. Recommended to those interested in Africa, too.
This particular story is remarkable for the way it manages to intertwine the lives of modern people with those of prehistoric people, united through location. Recommended to those interested in Africa, too.
Sep 29, 2008
Devon
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This book needs no explaination. One of the most boring books EVER. I couldn't even read the first half of it. DON'T READ IT!!
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Apr 08, 2008
Mindelei
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Wonderfully weave of modern storyline and one from 4.5 million years ago.
Feb 08, 2012
Jan 24, 2012
Jan 17, 2012
