I am down-rating this compelling book because Card is here promulgating the most blatantly sentimental view of Native Americans that can possibly be. All Indians are 100% in tune with the earth; they ask animals to sacrifice themselves for their food. White settlers kill the land just by walking on it. But, the story works anyway. Alvin Miller, age 10, is folded into Indian life and lore by heroic Native Americans (Tecumsah among others)to further his spiritual development. Alvin's adventures and lesson are breathtakingly dramatic, and the history of French settlement of American interesting.