In the Shadow of Sunrise

by Jennifer Bohnhoff

Bravery walks in packs, herds and clans.

This summer Earth Shadow is finally old enough to leave his clan's winter shelter and join the Walk Around. He follows the healthy adults, leaving the old, the babies, and the infirm nestled in the security of the Circle of Mountains. As they travel, he gathers stones for the tools and weapons he needs for survival and learns the ancient lore of his people. On the plains, he must face the massive and dangerous bison herd in his first hunt. Earth Shadow will meet new people and help strengthen ties among the clans at the Great Gathering. Handicapped since birth, Earth Shadow has lived his whole life in the shadow of Sunrise, his stronger, more physical twin brother. Now he will either finally step out of his brother's shadow and become a leader in his clan, or fail and spend his life hidden away in the Circle of Mountains.

200 pages, Paperback

Published April 8, 2025

About the author

Jennifer Bohnhoff is the author of a trilogy of middle grade novels set in New Mexico during the Civil War, a YA novel about a girl who suffers through a wildfire that destroys her home, several stand-alone middle grade historical novels, a duel narrative YA novel that examines the Beowulf story in both a contemporary and paleolithic setting, a series of funny contemporary middle grade novels and an adult novel set on a ranch in Southern New Mexico during WWI.

A former middle school social studies teacher, she loves travel and history.

Mrs. Bohnhoff is the mother of three handsome men, the mother-in-law of three beautiful daughters and the grandmother of three very smart granddaughters and a grandson. She lives in the mountains of central New Mexico with her husband, and a tank of a Rottweiler named Panzer.

Mrs. Bohnhoff is available to present on writing and history both online and in person.

Reviews

[Jackie]

With this story In the Shadow of Sunrise, we learn of an ancient civilization, their culture, traditions, and familial ways. Sunrise and Earth Shadow are twins with distinctive differences. Sunrise is physically strong and determined to rise to his clan's expectations. Earth Shadow is inquisitive, intelligent, and disabled. He is also determined to face his adversity head on.

They are about to embark on the 'Walk Around', where they will meet other clans, trade and exchange goods and people, and hunt bison. Both brothers are to make their first kill to feed themselves and their clan of elderly and young back at the Circle of Mountains.

During this treacherous and grueling journey they learn about methods for survival, but they also learn about their own strengths. How they contribute to the health of the clan is eye opening and helpful.

Be sure to read the Author's Notes.

Thank you to LibraryThing Early Reviewers, Kinkajou Press, and Jennifer Bohnhoff for this ARC.

[Ami Jacobs]

This book was a very interesting account of what might have happened centuries ago. Geared toward a young reader (age 9-12), it was told in an engaging way and kept my interest throughout the story. I really enjoyed the character growth that several of the people in the book went through, and I thought the ending was a nice touch.

[Christine Shestak]

Full disclosure: I was fortunate enough to read an even earlier version of this novel, and fell in love with it way before receiving this ARC.

Although little is known about the Folsom culture, Ms. Bohnhoff's in-depth knowledge of New Mexico history and skill in bringing her characters to life creates a prehistoric family filled with fascinating individuals. We fall in love with Sunrise's know-it-all confidence and Earth Shadow's need to rise above his physical limitations as both seek recognition as adult males. Grandmother's practical but feisty sense of humor made me laugh out loud. Ms. Bohnhoff weaves facts gathered from visiting the sites in the novel with archaeologists' deductions in a fascinating story that I was compelled to finish in one session.

[Jean Wilkinson-Rodney]

I have to admit that I was reluctant to read a book about characters who lived over 6000 years ago, but the story and writing ended up being so compelling that I couldn't wait to read what would happen as the story unfolded.

"In the Shadow of Sunrise" is one of the most unusual stories I have ever read. I am in awe of the author, Jennifer Bohnhoff, who has an incredible imagination. Her attention to historical and geographical details makes you feel as if you are in the story. It was so much fun to read the author's note at the end to tell readers about the various settings in the book, which are real places in the southwest of the United States. (Don't read ahead, it will ruin the story for you.)

Although this book is geared toward the middle grades, the themes of resilience, strength, survival, and community will interest adults as well. This book would not only be fun to discuss in an English, History, or Anthropology course, but might also be a fun way to outline your next travel plan.

I loved the book so much that I actually want Mrs. Bohnhoff to write a sequel.

[Nancy]

I think this is my favorite book yet by Jennifer Bohnhoff! It's so immersive - I really felt like I was living in the world of the Folsom people. The story follows Earth Shadow, a young man hoping to prove himself on his first hunt, and his tribe as they go on their annual summer "Walk Around" from their home in Southern Colorado.

This book is extremely well researched and the author's note at the end is a must read! The history of the discovery of the Folsom people and how it changed the understanding of human settlement in the Americas is fascinating.

I would say this book is appropriate for middle school and older. Highly recommended!

[K Holl]

I was asked to review this and it was one of the more enjoyable books I was assigned. I am a retired middle grade teacher and love indigenous cultural history so I was happy to read this, and it was well written and engaging. I think it is quite appropriate for adolescent to teen children especially if they are studying early man or ancient animals of North America in social studies. I appreciate the author's note at the end and the explanation that the creatures and the final hunting scene were drawn from historical evidence of these ancient people and the animals they shared the land with.

[Kat M]

Jennifer Bohnhoff does a fantastic job in writing this book, it had that element that I was wanting and enjoyed the overall. The characters were everything that I wanted and was engaged from the first page, and thought the characters were everything that I was hoping for.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Loretta Miles Tollefson]

This book is a fascinating look at a period of history that we know little about. Ms. Bohnhoff brings the Clovis man era alive in a plausible way with engaging characters and believable situations. I recommend it for adults as well as mid-schoolers.

[Diane Mittler]

Another great read from author Jennifer Bohnhoff, this book tracks two brothers living in the Folsom period in the area now identified as the Southwest U.S. One brother, Earth Shadow, is finally able to join the Walk Around, facing challenges as he makes weapons, hunts and meets others from neighboring clans. A fast-moving story, this book provides insights into a time in history many aren't familiar with.