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Mandie #2
Mandie and the Cherokee Legend
A mysterious legend among the Cherokee people tells of some long-lost gold, hidden for centuries. Would it truly bring a curse upon the one who found it?
138 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1983
15 people are currently reading
528 people want to read
About the author
Lois Gladys Leppard
120 books289 followersLois Gladys Leppard was the author of the Mandie series of children's novels. Leppard wrote her first Mandie story when she was only eleven and a half years old, but did not become a professional author until she was an adult. Leppard has also worked as a professional singer, actress, and playwright. At one time, she and her two sisters, Sybil and Louise, formed a singing group called the Larke Sisters.
There are forty Mandie books in the main series, an eight-book junior series and several other titles. Leppard said that she could write a Mandie book in two weeks, barring any interruptions.
The eponymous heroine lives in North Carolina in the early 1900s, encountering adventure and solving mysteries with help from her friends, family, and pet cat, Snowball. These young reader novels are meant to teach morals as well as be fun and captivating stories to read. Leppard stated that her books contain "nothing occult or vulgar", and Mandie is depicted as a faithful Christian. The Mandie books often deal with issues of discrimination and prejudice relating to race (particularly with regard to the local Cherokee), class, and disability.
Lois Gladys Leppard based some of the incidents in her Mandie books on her mother's experiences growing up in North Carolina. The dedication in the first book is: "For My Mother, Bessie A. Wilson Leppard, and In Memory of Her Sister, Lillie Margaret Ann Wilson Frady, Orphans of North Carolina Who Outgrew the Sufferings of Childhood".
There are forty Mandie books in the main series, an eight-book junior series and several other titles. Leppard said that she could write a Mandie book in two weeks, barring any interruptions.
The eponymous heroine lives in North Carolina in the early 1900s, encountering adventure and solving mysteries with help from her friends, family, and pet cat, Snowball. These young reader novels are meant to teach morals as well as be fun and captivating stories to read. Leppard stated that her books contain "nothing occult or vulgar", and Mandie is depicted as a faithful Christian. The Mandie books often deal with issues of discrimination and prejudice relating to race (particularly with regard to the local Cherokee), class, and disability.
Lois Gladys Leppard based some of the incidents in her Mandie books on her mother's experiences growing up in North Carolina. The dedication in the first book is: "For My Mother, Bessie A. Wilson Leppard, and In Memory of Her Sister, Lillie Margaret Ann Wilson Frady, Orphans of North Carolina Who Outgrew the Sufferings of Childhood".
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
July 13, 2024
Another fun adventure.
March 1, 2016
About this book:
“A mysterious legend among the Cherokee people tells of some long-lost gold, hidden for centuries. Would it truly bring a curse upon the one who found it?”
Series: Book #2 in “Mandie” series. (Read Book #1’s review Here!) {There also is the “Young Mandie Mystery” series, (Book #1 review Here and Book #2 review Here!) but they do not connect together well}
Spiritual Content- Matthew 5:10 at the beginning; Talks about God; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Prayers & Blessings over food; A few Scriptures are quoted, mentioned, and prayed; Uncle Ned referrers to Heaven as the “happy hunting ground”.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘dumb’, a ‘stupid’, two ‘shut up’s; A tiny bit of sarcasm; Tsa’ni is rude to & tricks Mandie (she tries not to hate him, but it’s hard); A mention of an Indian warrior who was shot (no details); A boy gets his foot stuck in a trap (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of drunks, moonshine & bootleggers.
Sexual Content- Noticing handsome boys and beautiful girl; Joe intends to marry Mandie when they’re grown & mentions about it.
-Amanda “Mandie” Shaw, age 12
P.O.V. of Mandie
Set in 1900
138 pages (also available in a collection with four other Mandie books.)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- Three Stars (and a half)
New Teens- Five Stars
Early High School Teens- Four Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars (and a half)
I’m not one for Indian stories, so MPR is lower, but I still enjoyed it. The little bit of romance between Mandie & Joe is so sweet but some parents might not want their younger daughters reading it.
*See my thought on this series versus the younger series, Here!
Link to review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspo...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
“A mysterious legend among the Cherokee people tells of some long-lost gold, hidden for centuries. Would it truly bring a curse upon the one who found it?”
Series: Book #2 in “Mandie” series. (Read Book #1’s review Here!) {There also is the “Young Mandie Mystery” series, (Book #1 review Here and Book #2 review Here!) but they do not connect together well}
Spiritual Content- Matthew 5:10 at the beginning; Talks about God; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Prayers & Blessings over food; A few Scriptures are quoted, mentioned, and prayed; Uncle Ned referrers to Heaven as the “happy hunting ground”.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘dumb’, a ‘stupid’, two ‘shut up’s; A tiny bit of sarcasm; Tsa’ni is rude to & tricks Mandie (she tries not to hate him, but it’s hard); A mention of an Indian warrior who was shot (no details); A boy gets his foot stuck in a trap (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of drunks, moonshine & bootleggers.
Sexual Content- Noticing handsome boys and beautiful girl; Joe intends to marry Mandie when they’re grown & mentions about it.
-Amanda “Mandie” Shaw, age 12
P.O.V. of Mandie
Set in 1900
138 pages (also available in a collection with four other Mandie books.)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- Three Stars (and a half)
New Teens- Five Stars
Early High School Teens- Four Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars (and a half)
I’m not one for Indian stories, so MPR is lower, but I still enjoyed it. The little bit of romance between Mandie & Joe is so sweet but some parents might not want their younger daughters reading it.
*See my thought on this series versus the younger series, Here!
Link to review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspo...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
June 16, 2014
I loved these books as a child, but as an adult it's the biggest struggle to even make it through a chapter. What I devoured as a kid is now a painful journey through boring plots, bad dialogue and too many Christian references. It's sad to think that what I adored so much is now lost to me.
May 2, 2022
It's so hard to give these an objective rating as an adult reader. When I was in middle school, I would have given every book 4 or 5 stars. I was again annoyed by Joe's obsession over Mandie, and the beginning of a long line of boys that always find her super attractive from the get-go. This time it's Dimar. Sallie and Mandie's other friends are always described as attractive, yet never receive the male adoration that our heroine does. I also find it highly unlikely that the Cherokee people would have left a fortune in gold to a 12 yr old mostly white girl, instead of to Sallie (who also found the gold), or to Uncle John (a responsible adult man who is half Cherokee.) Also, I wish the sentences of Uncle Ned and Uncle Wirt and the others weren't so broken. When they are such a big part of the story, it makes for difficult reading. As a side note, the cover illustrations for this series are amazing.
February 3, 2021
I read this to my sister and my younger brother listened in most of the time. It was fun to read aloud and read again. I've read like the first twenty-something of these books but that was years ago. So it's cool to read them again and remember them as I read. And also to share the experience with my siblings.😊
May 15, 2019
My 10 yo DD gives it 5 stars! She loves them now and was jumping at the bit to finish it by herself. A reread for me after very many years! I still find them enjoyable!
Thought it was interesting how now I can see people getting offended at the “Indian” and Cherokee parts and how now everything would have to be politically correct. Girls were not allowed to carry rifles and take the gold into town because of being too dangerous. Petticoats were always getting in the way. It has that “Little House on the Prairie” feel to it now. Mandie isn’t as romantic as Anne of Green Gables tho... Both were my little girl heroine's. :)
Thought it was interesting how now I can see people getting offended at the “Indian” and Cherokee parts and how now everything would have to be politically correct. Girls were not allowed to carry rifles and take the gold into town because of being too dangerous. Petticoats were always getting in the way. It has that “Little House on the Prairie” feel to it now. Mandie isn’t as romantic as Anne of Green Gables tho... Both were my little girl heroine's. :)
January 1, 2019
When I was cleaning and re-organizing my bookshelf last week, I went through all my Mandie books. (they were originally my mom and aunt's books) That got me all excited about the series again and I spontaneously decided to re-read the series! Unfortunately, we no longer have the first book, but I couldn't wait, so I started with the second!
I really enjoyed re-reading this old favorite! A few of the reviews I looked through were people re-reading them and not liking them anymore, but I still liked them! I had a lot of fun, actually! :D
The ending was cool and although I remembered parts of it, I enjoyed re-visiting the characters. Hehe, Joe and Mandie are funny! ;)
I'll probably continue to re-read them... I think I have the rest of the series beside the first!
4 stars. :D
I would recommend to 10+
I really enjoyed re-reading this old favorite! A few of the reviews I looked through were people re-reading them and not liking them anymore, but I still liked them! I had a lot of fun, actually! :D
The ending was cool and although I remembered parts of it, I enjoyed re-visiting the characters. Hehe, Joe and Mandie are funny! ;)
I'll probably continue to re-read them... I think I have the rest of the series beside the first!
4 stars. :D
I would recommend to 10+
April 18, 2025
Rather absurd plot, but I did really appreciate how it dealt with complex questions that I think our world is still struggling with.
July 31, 2016
Read my full thoughts on this book and hundreds more over at Read.Write.Repeat.
I loved rereading the first book. In so many ways, it felt like home. There were a few little things that bugged me, but, overall, it retained so much of what I loved about the series as a child. The books are short enough that I can fly through one in the course of an afternoon.
This book, though, did not satisfy me in the same nostalgic way its predecessor had. Instead, I found myself experiencing ethical indigestion.
Here's the thing: it's very evident that Leppard had no indention of portraying the Cherokee in this book in anything but a good light. In fact, I truly think her work was intended to fight against racism and show different types of people getting along. Instead, I saw so much patronizing of culture and characters. There were so many stereotypes that scratched the chalkboard of my modern worldview.
I loved rereading the first book. In so many ways, it felt like home. There were a few little things that bugged me, but, overall, it retained so much of what I loved about the series as a child. The books are short enough that I can fly through one in the course of an afternoon.
This book, though, did not satisfy me in the same nostalgic way its predecessor had. Instead, I found myself experiencing ethical indigestion.
Here's the thing: it's very evident that Leppard had no indention of portraying the Cherokee in this book in anything but a good light. In fact, I truly think her work was intended to fight against racism and show different types of people getting along. Instead, I saw so much patronizing of culture and characters. There were so many stereotypes that scratched the chalkboard of my modern worldview.
March 17, 2022
Although I try to write a review for every book I add as read, I'm not going to bother writing reviews for every book in this series as I would have nothing new to say about each. Each comes with the same nostalgia and the same complaints, and I haven't read any of them in years.
April 18, 2025
Well, that was interesting and unexpected. 😊
A completely different take than book #1 for sure. Mandie's heritage is up close and personal in this one in a big way. There's definitely a lot of adventure and peril. But the storyline is all over the place. 🤣
The simple writing style is definitely for young readers that don't expect a grandiose narrative, but I did find myself eager to keep reading to see what would happen next.
The faith content is my favorite part.
A completely different take than book #1 for sure. Mandie's heritage is up close and personal in this one in a big way. There's definitely a lot of adventure and peril. But the storyline is all over the place. 🤣
The simple writing style is definitely for young readers that don't expect a grandiose narrative, but I did find myself eager to keep reading to see what would happen next.
The faith content is my favorite part.
August 10, 2022
4 stars - English paperback
September 19, 2012
I admit it: I am reviewing these books years after reading them. However, do not even suggest that I'm no longer qualified, that too many years have passed to remember. My battered and faded copies of these books testify to how many times I read them growing up and plots and entire passages are seared in my memory forever.
Snowball always ran away, Mandie always got in trouble, Uncle Ned always rescued her, and Joe and Tommy bristled at each other. I myself prefered Joe, but Tommy's cosmopolitan airs nearly tipped the balance a time or two. I recall- fondly and as though it were yesterday- my glee when Mandie went off to Europe, my disgust at the new baby, my delight in Mandie's wardrobe of sky blue frocks, my puzzlement at all her near escapes and handy school vacations, my terror during the daring midnight adventures. Ah me, to be young and silly again...
If I had written goodreads reviews at the age of eleven, all Mandie books would've received automatic five-star ratings and gushing descriptions. As an adult, I will honestly give them all three stars, except for my special pets. And if I ever have a little girl, I will buy her the entire set. Oh, and did you know there are more than forty books in the series by now? And I'm guessing Mandie never grows up, either.
Snowball always ran away, Mandie always got in trouble, Uncle Ned always rescued her, and Joe and Tommy bristled at each other. I myself prefered Joe, but Tommy's cosmopolitan airs nearly tipped the balance a time or two. I recall- fondly and as though it were yesterday- my glee when Mandie went off to Europe, my disgust at the new baby, my delight in Mandie's wardrobe of sky blue frocks, my puzzlement at all her near escapes and handy school vacations, my terror during the daring midnight adventures. Ah me, to be young and silly again...
If I had written goodreads reviews at the age of eleven, all Mandie books would've received automatic five-star ratings and gushing descriptions. As an adult, I will honestly give them all three stars, except for my special pets. And if I ever have a little girl, I will buy her the entire set. Oh, and did you know there are more than forty books in the series by now? And I'm guessing Mandie never grows up, either.
February 18, 2017
Mandie is out on an adventure, with the goal being to meet her Cherokee kinspeople. The problem is not everyone she meets is happy to get to know the overly white girl from the big city (well, big as it is anyway). A cruel prank leads to a frantic night in a cave and on a perilous mountainside for Mandie and Joe along with newfound friend Sallie.
I read these books for the first time back when they came out. Now re-reading them as an adult, I love how much adventure is packed into the stories, but have to dock this a star for the preachiness level. Sometimes Mandie is just to self-righteous for words. But I love her anyway.
I read these books for the first time back when they came out. Now re-reading them as an adult, I love how much adventure is packed into the stories, but have to dock this a star for the preachiness level. Sometimes Mandie is just to self-righteous for words. But I love her anyway.
November 9, 2017
I loved reading the Mandie books when I was in Middle School. These stories captured my imagination.
Read
November 15, 2020I think I'm gonna need to read the whole series. These are just sweet, simple, and fun.
Read
November 30, 2020Great mystery series for the mystery reader!
June 8, 2023
Pretty slow at one point, but amazing in all the others!
June 23, 2018
One of my absolute favorite series as a pre-teen. Mandie will always have a place in my heart, even though my sinful little heart is now atheist <3
July 25, 2018
I found this at a local bookshop and thought it would be cute. I love native american legends, and was excited to read this one.
The author uses her mother's childhood stories as the basis for many incidents in this series.
I wondered if she knew Cherokees. I'd like to here more about her mother's exact stories, to know how much is fiction.
I was really excited to see how the Cherokees lived,& soon found out that it was already after the whites influenced them. So that was disappointing.
I was surprised Joe went, considering she's meeting her Cherokee family, so it's a personal trip.
When this happened, I thought oh no, not again. 'Joe stole a glance, admiring her dark beauty, and then put in his greeting. "Sallie, we love your grandfather, Uncle Ned."'
I swear, Joe is the most fickle character. In the first book, he liked Polly, now there's someone in here. I found it ironic just two pages before he said "just better not be any boys among them casting their eyes on you" and you're casting your eyes at Sallie. Btw, she's related to some of the Cherokee, so that shouldn't really be a concern.
I wondered where she got the names from: Tsa'ni, Talitha Pindar, Wirt Pindar. Drumgool. Sweetwater. Dimar Walkingstick. Jerusha. Saphronia. Meli.
They were...unique to say the least. I've never heard of most of them. Walkingstick was the most accurate, cause I know Native Americans have that last name.
I was surprised when Mandie said it was terribly wrong, but a long time ago that the Cherokees were removed,& the white people living now had nothing to do with it. I didn't know this book was so long after the Cherokee removal. She tells Tsa'ni he can't live in the past, or change history. It made me wonder if that's how people felt then.
Mandie tells Morning Star good morning and Morning Star says "love" to which Mandie says "Love. Oh, Morning Star, you are learning English." I was surprised she'd say 'love' by itself like that. That doesn't seem accurate.
If gold hadn't been found in Georgia, the white people might not have ever made the Cherokees move from their land.
They call white people palefaces.
They eat serviceberries.
The language is stereotypical:
Uncle Ned saying "Tsa'ni bad brave."
Sallie saying "bad Cherokee make liquor, but not here."
"The old squaw." "The old Indian."
'Uncle Ned gave a loud whistle to round up his braves.'
Ned told Dimar "strong brave."
Even Dimar says "Tsa'ni! Bad Cherokee!"
Sallie says "He is a bad Cherokee."
White people calling them Injuns & squaws is probably accurate, but with everything else, even it sounded stereotypical.
It was funny when Mandie said they should pray, what they should have done before now. She says god always answers her, which irritated me. Joe says they don't have a way to defend themselves,& Mandie's like remember when we prayed, have you forgotten so soon? Praying doesn't mean everything's going to be ok. Worrying about not having a weapon is a valid concern.
They run into bootleggers & Snuff says no matter how much education the Cherokee get, you can always hear the kind of lisp they have. I've never noticed a lisp, but I do know they have a distinctive voice.
The author hit the accent right up there in NC. They do say "you'ins"!!
I didn't like the couple they met in the woods, the drunken bootleggers. When they say they were in a cave, the idiot Snuff says anyone who believes that stand on your head. Mandie hit it on the head when she said they had no common sense.
It was sweet when Mandie said she's afraid of people who drink liquor.
Sallie leaves her necklace in the barn for the searchers to find, to know they were there, but it didn't make sense to leave a clue in the barn. She could have left it on a tree or plant outside.
The Indians came at the sound of their leader's call for help, & surrounded Rennie Lou and Snuff. Of course it's very convenient they looked in the barn.
I liked the humor, the self-depracation, & the ability they have to laugh at themselves. Joe says "we sure were dumb not to load up with apples from that barn."
Joe uses an expression I've never heard of: "Land o'Goshen."
Indians didn't refer to themselves as Indians. Like Sallie saying "That is an Indian boy."
'The boy's eyes lit up when he saw the blonde-haired girl.
She is the most beautiful girl I have ever seen, he was thinking as she came nearer. And blue eyes! How beautiful!
Mandie returned his stare, thinking what a handsome boy he was!'
Attraction seems to happen frequently in these books. It didn't make any sense that Mandie would never notice his attraction to her, or remark that she liked him after that moment. Like it never happened.
'Snowball was completely forgotten in the excitement. He clung desperately to the limb of the tree, too frightened to descend.' How could you forget your cat?
I didn't like Elizabeth telling Morning Star to pray. You shouldn't force someone to do that. If you want to, go ahead. She said Cherokees always looked up to god in the sky rather than bowing their heads when they prayed.
It didn't seem realistic at all that Wirt had his men each whistle to give a call, which Ned answered. 'Turning, he instructed the men. "You next, then you, until all give message." The men, one at a time, stepped out and repeated the loud call through the woods. As the last one turned to sit down, there came an answering call in the distance, barely discernible through the sound of the rain. "Ned hear us. His call!" Wirt cried excitedly as he ran up the face of the boulder, whistling again.'
Uncle Ned tells John that Wirt must be near, because that was his call. I wondered how you could tell them apart when they all whistle.
They meet Dimar's mom, Jerusha, & she says "my papooses." Idt they would have called every kid papoose.
She meets her great uncle Wirt, & he says she has an Indian thumb, because it's short & blunt. I found that weird it was the only physical trait, her thumb.
I was very surprised religious Mandie hated Tsa'ni, the very moment he doesn't save her from the panther,& after. So I didn't like that she didn't tell on Tsa'ni for leaving them in the caves.
It really bugs me when characters do stupid things, like when Mandie blurted that there was gold in the caves in front of Tsa'ni.
They say the word love, instead of I love you. It makes me wonder if that's accurate. "Jim Shaw's papoose! Love!"
Wirt says "Love, Papoose."
It was interesting to see the Cherokees opinion on the gold. Sallie didn't want anything to do with it, saying it was bad luck for the Cherokee. Ned said Cherokee don't need the gold.
It made no sense for everyone to split up in the caves, when the kids knew where the gold was. The adults should have followed the kids.
Tsa'ni fell in the hole & now needs their help. Mandie realizes she has to help him even though he didn't help her, because the bible says to return good for evil.
Joe says Tsa'ni came for their gold, which I didn't like, because it isn't their gold. It's on Cherokee land. That's what got the Cherokees removed in the first place.
They tell the adults that Tsa'ni is hurt, & Uncle Ned 'gave his whistle for help.'
All Ned has said is "bad Indian" "Tsa'ni bad Cherokee" about Tsa'ni, never saying why. So of course when Mandie shows them the rope used to get to Tsa'ni he says "Papoose good Indian."
They couldn't look for the gold anymore because they needed the wagon for Tsa'ni, & I couldn't believe Mandie felt hatred again at Tsa'ni for interfering with their plans. And Joe says all because of that stupid boy. He's injured, have a lil sympathy. I couldn't believe the almighty, proper Mandie, after just saying they had to help him because the bible says to, would hate him again.
Joe says too many people knew about the gold, & I was thinking, they wouldn't have if you hadn't said anything in front of a group of people. That's your fault.
I couldn't believe Joe & Mandie both felt that Tsa'ni faked his injury so he wouldn't get in trouble looking for the gold. Mandie felt elation that Tsa'ni really was injured. I guess because they were doubting it was real. She says she should feel sorry for him, but felt he deserved it.
When Mandie said it was a long time ago that the Cherokee were forced from their lands, that no one was alive from those days, then it turns out Mandie's grandma was alive then. Uncle Ned said him and Morning Star remembered. So that didn't add up.
I felt like rolling my eyes when Morning Star says "Jim Shaw's papoose have gold!" "My gold Papoose's gold." Of course when she says a sentence in English, it's to give Mandie the gold.
It was nice when Uncle John says the Cherokee could use the gold to build a hospital, or school, or church with it. It will be used for good, that it won't be like it was before.
It wasn't necessary for Joe to even be there with Mandie. It was irritating when he didn't want to visit Tsa'ni, until Dimar said he'd go. Joe wanted to keep an eye on the two. I wanted Mandie to learn more about him, & if they both were attracted to each other from the get-go, how does Mandie not notice him paying her attention?
I thought Tsa'ni would change after the kids didn't tell on him for leaving them in the cave. I definitely thought he'd finally come around after Mandie saved him in the cave. If that didn't change him, what would?
Someone finally asks Uncle Ned why he says Tsa'ni is bad. His reasons are the panther he left Miranda with, trying to steal the gold,& not bringing their belongings to Bird-town. But the first time he said Tsa'ni was bad, it seemed like he meant before, like he's always known he's bad.
Tsali was mentioned briefly before, how he hid in a cave, that white men killed his sons. I wanted the whole story.
They find a message on the wall saying "This gold left here for good of Cherokee after white man makes peace. This gold belongs to us who are hiding here to save our lives. Curse on the white man who takes it. Tsali." It didn't seem entirely realistic that gold would be left behind like that.
I liked when Dimar said "He did not forget his people. He gave his life and left them a fortune."
They guess that a white man William H. Thomas, who came to ask him to surrender to save his people, and was a trusted friend of the Cherokee people, wrote the message.
Their cabins the Cherokee live in are all similar looking.
In the first book idr it saying Morning Star was Ned's wife. I had to put the dots together here.
When Uncle Wirt asked if it was Tsa'ni who started the fire, Joe says "yes, uncle Wirt," which was weird because it isn't his uncle.
It was so annoying when Joe says what other reason would Tsa'ni have for lying about not being able to move,& coming to the barn the not if the fire, & Mandie says "'Judge not, lest ye be judged.'" That wasn't judging, that was putting two & two together.
Dimar sounded too modern & white when he said "sure thing."
I knew chiseling the message from the wall wouldn't work. I hated that the whole cave fell in.
I really liked the line 'the great Indian hero who had remembered his people even in death.'
The Cherokee sounded like robots: "Rockslide. Cave gone. Message buried," Uncle Ned replied.
"A rockslide? Are you all right?" Uncle John asked, checking them over. "How did you manage to get out?"
"Run. God with us," Uncle Ned explained.
"Cave gone," uncle Wirt repeated, shakin his head in bewilderment.'
Uncle Ned said the gold is bad luck, & Mandie says "Not the gold, Uncle Ned. It's the greedy people." That was mature of her to realize that.
'Dimar took a deep breath and gave his loud Indian call for help.' Here we go again. What exactly is an 'Indian call'?
It was sort of corny when Morning Star goes after Rennie Lou, while the men went after Snuff.
Snuff & Rennie Lou are seen at the barn,& they all tie them up,& plan to take them to the sherif. I really didn't like when Mandie asks "what about us"and uncle John says "this is man's work, child."
They wonder about Tsa'ni and it says: 'Tsa'ni had never reached home. He was at that moment caught in an abandoned hunter's trap in the woods. This time he was really hurt.' I didn't like that reveal. Throughout the book, it's suddenly switched POVS.
Cherokees have been reduced to saying "eat." That's mostly what they say. The joke wore off fast.
I wanna hear some action, about what they're doing with the gold, if they made it to town all right with the bootleggers, not them sitting down to yet another meal. You don't have to mention all the meals they have.
"Eat." Morning Star smiled, pointing to the table.
The girls laughed.'
They have a "council pow-wow." Very stereotypical. They'll take a vote to determine what to do with the gold.
This just annoyed me. Of course they wouldn't be acceptable if they didn't learn English and didn't pray to God.
'"Please, God, get them there and back safely."
"I trust God to take care of them, too," Sallie said, touching Mandie's shoulder. "I have asked Him into my heart."
"Oh, how wonderful, Sallie!" Mandie hugged her. "Isn't it good to be able to pray and trust God for everything?"
"It sure is, Mandie," she answered, smiling happily.'
'The girls wanted to help, but were waved aside as the men and boys loaded the gold into the wagon.' Of course they were. Women don't seem respected too much here.
Joe even says "thank you, uncle John" thought John isn't his uncle either.
I thought it was sweet when Mandie told Joe to be careful, & didn't understand why after she said this was strange land & he's never used that gun before Joe turns red and everyone smiles. He says "if I didn't like you so much, Amanda Shaw, I'd say something mean!" That was uncalled for. She was just looking out for you.
I didn't like the foreshadowing: 'little did Mandie know how close the two boys would come to shooting someone.'
Considering Tsa'ni was caught in a trap, with a swollen & bloody foot, I thought it was really insensitive & mean of Joe & Dimar to make him think they weren't going to save him.
Mandie says you should never tell a lie. Tsa'ni lied about not being able to walk and now he really can't walk. It's good to tell kids not to lie, but that's just not true that what you lie about will come to pass like that. Ppl lie all the time.
All the Cherokee did was repeat themselves: "pow-wow tomorrow, council house. Told Cherokee papoose found gold. Cherokee no want gold."
"But you did get all the chiefs to agree to let the Cherokee people vote on what to do with the gold, didn't you, Uncle Ned?" John asked.
"Cherokee vote pow-wow tomorrow, council house," the old man answered.'
I also didn't know they had more than one chief.
When John asks in surprise that they could get all the people together so fast to vote Wirt says "tell one Cherokee. Cherokee tell another Cherokee. News travel fast." I wondered how accurate that was.
There were approximately 1300 Cherokees. Families were large inmost cases, & lived in large family groups together.
Even though Mandie is only 1/4th Cherokee, & a kid, of course she gets to go to the council & vote. Even Joe can go for a ride. Although everything I've heard of council houses is how private they are, & that white people aren't allowed.
I liked hearing the events of the next day: 'the next day would hold more excitement for them. It would be a day long to be remembered.' Maybe because it reminds me of LOTR.
Jerusha walks in saying one word, "Vote." Then "Gold. Find gold. Make Cherokee feel good. People need things."
She says "vote" again, then tells Dimar "vote."
Morning star says "sit. Eat." Which is her only vocab. And of course we can't pass up another meal. Elizabeth says "I know you will all agree on something you need" & Meli says "we agree what to do with gold" sounding like a robot.
Jessan says "we vote. We vote."
'Joe was determined Mandie would be his wife when they grew up, & he didn't want anyone else making eyes at her.' That's rich coming from him, considering he made eyes at Polly.
All the women had red kerchiefs on their heads, as if that's the only color they could wear.
The council house was seven-sided w/ a dome roofed.
I was surprised women were allowed in the council house & able to vote.
Inside the council house were bleachers, & log poles holding up the thatched roof. Symbols on the clans adorned the posts,& the author doesn't even tell the different clans. The sacred fire was directly ahead.
The Indians say the very repetitive "Jim Shaw's Papoose vote." "Papoose find Cherokee gold."
I was surprised they had books & paper there, & voted by writing it down on paper.
She figured the men sitting behind the fire were important.
The council guy says "vote is done. We have counted all votes." Then can suddenly speak a full sentence: "I will read the decision of our people on what to do with the gold found in the cave." Which was the first full sentence by a Cherokee in this entire book.
I was actually mad when they turned down the gold. Even though it was left by their great warrior Tsali. It's left to freaking Mandie because she's beloved Jim Shaw's papoose.
To make matters even more ridiculous, it was a unimanous vote. Not one person voted to keep it. Yeah freaking right.
Who cares if it brought trouble in the past when you can do good with it now & it was left by one of your people? They leave it to Mandie even though Joe & Sallie also found it. Sallie is 100% Cherokee & has lived there her whole life.
They leave the gold to a girl who's 1/4th Cherokee. She tells them she loves them & will do her best with her three uncle's help.
Joe is suddenly there, grabbing Mandie's hand although he's been outside.
She thanks god, saying "my people do love me." They already did, cause apparently Jim Shaw was amazing to them. They didn't have to give you a fortune in gold to show they loved you.
Even though Tsa'ni was sulky just that morning, Tsa'ni voted for Mandie, & suddenly says "Love, my cousin, love! Please forgive me!"
She says "oh, Tsa'ni, my cousin, love!" If he hadn't changed when they saved him, why now?
The change in him didn't even make sense.
'She had gained her cousin's love & acceptance as a Cherokee. God had overruled. After having struggled so long with negative thoughts toward her cousin, the battle was won. She was proud to be part Cherokee, and even prouder to be a Christian.'
You're saying god completely changed Tsa'ni seemingly within minutes. Her feelings seemed to change only because his did. He says he loves you and suddenly you loved him. Not because your heart changed and you wanted to do good by him.
You just said two pages before that you hoped they didn't sit by you,& then moved your skirt and feet so you wouldn't touch them. Perfect little Mandie wasn't so nice in here.
These seem to be more about religious messages than mystery & adventure.
The title didn't fit this book. The synopsis is so misleading. It wasn't even about a legend. What legend? Tsali seemed like a legend, but it was never explained fully.
The legend is thrown out only when they read it on the wall, and it doesn't feel like a legend. It's actually more like a curse,& it wasn't even explored or done anything with.
The first book was better. Super disappointed with this.
Joe was mostly annoying. I wish Mandie had gotten to know Dimar better, and liked him instead. That would be cute. Mandie wasn't as likable in here. Little too much religion for me.
This was a fail of a Native American novel. When you write about someone's culture, you should actually inform readers of it, so we know more about them. Clothing, daily life, language, food.
This could have been so much better.
The author uses her mother's childhood stories as the basis for many incidents in this series.
I wondered if she knew Cherokees. I'd like to here more about her mother's exact stories, to know how much is fiction.
I was really excited to see how the Cherokees lived,& soon found out that it was already after the whites influenced them. So that was disappointing.
I was surprised Joe went, considering she's meeting her Cherokee family, so it's a personal trip.
When this happened, I thought oh no, not again. 'Joe stole a glance, admiring her dark beauty, and then put in his greeting. "Sallie, we love your grandfather, Uncle Ned."'
I swear, Joe is the most fickle character. In the first book, he liked Polly, now there's someone in here. I found it ironic just two pages before he said "just better not be any boys among them casting their eyes on you" and you're casting your eyes at Sallie. Btw, she's related to some of the Cherokee, so that shouldn't really be a concern.
I wondered where she got the names from: Tsa'ni, Talitha Pindar, Wirt Pindar. Drumgool. Sweetwater. Dimar Walkingstick. Jerusha. Saphronia. Meli.
They were...unique to say the least. I've never heard of most of them. Walkingstick was the most accurate, cause I know Native Americans have that last name.
I was surprised when Mandie said it was terribly wrong, but a long time ago that the Cherokees were removed,& the white people living now had nothing to do with it. I didn't know this book was so long after the Cherokee removal. She tells Tsa'ni he can't live in the past, or change history. It made me wonder if that's how people felt then.
Mandie tells Morning Star good morning and Morning Star says "love" to which Mandie says "Love. Oh, Morning Star, you are learning English." I was surprised she'd say 'love' by itself like that. That doesn't seem accurate.
If gold hadn't been found in Georgia, the white people might not have ever made the Cherokees move from their land.
They call white people palefaces.
They eat serviceberries.
The language is stereotypical:
Uncle Ned saying "Tsa'ni bad brave."
Sallie saying "bad Cherokee make liquor, but not here."
"The old squaw." "The old Indian."
'Uncle Ned gave a loud whistle to round up his braves.'
Ned told Dimar "strong brave."
Even Dimar says "Tsa'ni! Bad Cherokee!"
Sallie says "He is a bad Cherokee."
White people calling them Injuns & squaws is probably accurate, but with everything else, even it sounded stereotypical.
It was funny when Mandie said they should pray, what they should have done before now. She says god always answers her, which irritated me. Joe says they don't have a way to defend themselves,& Mandie's like remember when we prayed, have you forgotten so soon? Praying doesn't mean everything's going to be ok. Worrying about not having a weapon is a valid concern.
They run into bootleggers & Snuff says no matter how much education the Cherokee get, you can always hear the kind of lisp they have. I've never noticed a lisp, but I do know they have a distinctive voice.
The author hit the accent right up there in NC. They do say "you'ins"!!
I didn't like the couple they met in the woods, the drunken bootleggers. When they say they were in a cave, the idiot Snuff says anyone who believes that stand on your head. Mandie hit it on the head when she said they had no common sense.
It was sweet when Mandie said she's afraid of people who drink liquor.
Sallie leaves her necklace in the barn for the searchers to find, to know they were there, but it didn't make sense to leave a clue in the barn. She could have left it on a tree or plant outside.
The Indians came at the sound of their leader's call for help, & surrounded Rennie Lou and Snuff. Of course it's very convenient they looked in the barn.
I liked the humor, the self-depracation, & the ability they have to laugh at themselves. Joe says "we sure were dumb not to load up with apples from that barn."
Joe uses an expression I've never heard of: "Land o'Goshen."
Indians didn't refer to themselves as Indians. Like Sallie saying "That is an Indian boy."
'The boy's eyes lit up when he saw the blonde-haired girl.
She is the most beautiful girl I have ever seen, he was thinking as she came nearer. And blue eyes! How beautiful!
Mandie returned his stare, thinking what a handsome boy he was!'
Attraction seems to happen frequently in these books. It didn't make any sense that Mandie would never notice his attraction to her, or remark that she liked him after that moment. Like it never happened.
'Snowball was completely forgotten in the excitement. He clung desperately to the limb of the tree, too frightened to descend.' How could you forget your cat?
I didn't like Elizabeth telling Morning Star to pray. You shouldn't force someone to do that. If you want to, go ahead. She said Cherokees always looked up to god in the sky rather than bowing their heads when they prayed.
It didn't seem realistic at all that Wirt had his men each whistle to give a call, which Ned answered. 'Turning, he instructed the men. "You next, then you, until all give message." The men, one at a time, stepped out and repeated the loud call through the woods. As the last one turned to sit down, there came an answering call in the distance, barely discernible through the sound of the rain. "Ned hear us. His call!" Wirt cried excitedly as he ran up the face of the boulder, whistling again.'
Uncle Ned tells John that Wirt must be near, because that was his call. I wondered how you could tell them apart when they all whistle.
They meet Dimar's mom, Jerusha, & she says "my papooses." Idt they would have called every kid papoose.
She meets her great uncle Wirt, & he says she has an Indian thumb, because it's short & blunt. I found that weird it was the only physical trait, her thumb.
I was very surprised religious Mandie hated Tsa'ni, the very moment he doesn't save her from the panther,& after. So I didn't like that she didn't tell on Tsa'ni for leaving them in the caves.
It really bugs me when characters do stupid things, like when Mandie blurted that there was gold in the caves in front of Tsa'ni.
They say the word love, instead of I love you. It makes me wonder if that's accurate. "Jim Shaw's papoose! Love!"
Wirt says "Love, Papoose."
It was interesting to see the Cherokees opinion on the gold. Sallie didn't want anything to do with it, saying it was bad luck for the Cherokee. Ned said Cherokee don't need the gold.
It made no sense for everyone to split up in the caves, when the kids knew where the gold was. The adults should have followed the kids.
Tsa'ni fell in the hole & now needs their help. Mandie realizes she has to help him even though he didn't help her, because the bible says to return good for evil.
Joe says Tsa'ni came for their gold, which I didn't like, because it isn't their gold. It's on Cherokee land. That's what got the Cherokees removed in the first place.
They tell the adults that Tsa'ni is hurt, & Uncle Ned 'gave his whistle for help.'
All Ned has said is "bad Indian" "Tsa'ni bad Cherokee" about Tsa'ni, never saying why. So of course when Mandie shows them the rope used to get to Tsa'ni he says "Papoose good Indian."
They couldn't look for the gold anymore because they needed the wagon for Tsa'ni, & I couldn't believe Mandie felt hatred again at Tsa'ni for interfering with their plans. And Joe says all because of that stupid boy. He's injured, have a lil sympathy. I couldn't believe the almighty, proper Mandie, after just saying they had to help him because the bible says to, would hate him again.
Joe says too many people knew about the gold, & I was thinking, they wouldn't have if you hadn't said anything in front of a group of people. That's your fault.
I couldn't believe Joe & Mandie both felt that Tsa'ni faked his injury so he wouldn't get in trouble looking for the gold. Mandie felt elation that Tsa'ni really was injured. I guess because they were doubting it was real. She says she should feel sorry for him, but felt he deserved it.
When Mandie said it was a long time ago that the Cherokee were forced from their lands, that no one was alive from those days, then it turns out Mandie's grandma was alive then. Uncle Ned said him and Morning Star remembered. So that didn't add up.
I felt like rolling my eyes when Morning Star says "Jim Shaw's papoose have gold!" "My gold Papoose's gold." Of course when she says a sentence in English, it's to give Mandie the gold.
It was nice when Uncle John says the Cherokee could use the gold to build a hospital, or school, or church with it. It will be used for good, that it won't be like it was before.
It wasn't necessary for Joe to even be there with Mandie. It was irritating when he didn't want to visit Tsa'ni, until Dimar said he'd go. Joe wanted to keep an eye on the two. I wanted Mandie to learn more about him, & if they both were attracted to each other from the get-go, how does Mandie not notice him paying her attention?
I thought Tsa'ni would change after the kids didn't tell on him for leaving them in the cave. I definitely thought he'd finally come around after Mandie saved him in the cave. If that didn't change him, what would?
Someone finally asks Uncle Ned why he says Tsa'ni is bad. His reasons are the panther he left Miranda with, trying to steal the gold,& not bringing their belongings to Bird-town. But the first time he said Tsa'ni was bad, it seemed like he meant before, like he's always known he's bad.
Tsali was mentioned briefly before, how he hid in a cave, that white men killed his sons. I wanted the whole story.
They find a message on the wall saying "This gold left here for good of Cherokee after white man makes peace. This gold belongs to us who are hiding here to save our lives. Curse on the white man who takes it. Tsali." It didn't seem entirely realistic that gold would be left behind like that.
I liked when Dimar said "He did not forget his people. He gave his life and left them a fortune."
They guess that a white man William H. Thomas, who came to ask him to surrender to save his people, and was a trusted friend of the Cherokee people, wrote the message.
Their cabins the Cherokee live in are all similar looking.
In the first book idr it saying Morning Star was Ned's wife. I had to put the dots together here.
When Uncle Wirt asked if it was Tsa'ni who started the fire, Joe says "yes, uncle Wirt," which was weird because it isn't his uncle.
It was so annoying when Joe says what other reason would Tsa'ni have for lying about not being able to move,& coming to the barn the not if the fire, & Mandie says "'Judge not, lest ye be judged.'" That wasn't judging, that was putting two & two together.
Dimar sounded too modern & white when he said "sure thing."
I knew chiseling the message from the wall wouldn't work. I hated that the whole cave fell in.
I really liked the line 'the great Indian hero who had remembered his people even in death.'
The Cherokee sounded like robots: "Rockslide. Cave gone. Message buried," Uncle Ned replied.
"A rockslide? Are you all right?" Uncle John asked, checking them over. "How did you manage to get out?"
"Run. God with us," Uncle Ned explained.
"Cave gone," uncle Wirt repeated, shakin his head in bewilderment.'
Uncle Ned said the gold is bad luck, & Mandie says "Not the gold, Uncle Ned. It's the greedy people." That was mature of her to realize that.
'Dimar took a deep breath and gave his loud Indian call for help.' Here we go again. What exactly is an 'Indian call'?
It was sort of corny when Morning Star goes after Rennie Lou, while the men went after Snuff.
Snuff & Rennie Lou are seen at the barn,& they all tie them up,& plan to take them to the sherif. I really didn't like when Mandie asks "what about us"and uncle John says "this is man's work, child."
They wonder about Tsa'ni and it says: 'Tsa'ni had never reached home. He was at that moment caught in an abandoned hunter's trap in the woods. This time he was really hurt.' I didn't like that reveal. Throughout the book, it's suddenly switched POVS.
Cherokees have been reduced to saying "eat." That's mostly what they say. The joke wore off fast.
I wanna hear some action, about what they're doing with the gold, if they made it to town all right with the bootleggers, not them sitting down to yet another meal. You don't have to mention all the meals they have.
"Eat." Morning Star smiled, pointing to the table.
The girls laughed.'
They have a "council pow-wow." Very stereotypical. They'll take a vote to determine what to do with the gold.
This just annoyed me. Of course they wouldn't be acceptable if they didn't learn English and didn't pray to God.
'"Please, God, get them there and back safely."
"I trust God to take care of them, too," Sallie said, touching Mandie's shoulder. "I have asked Him into my heart."
"Oh, how wonderful, Sallie!" Mandie hugged her. "Isn't it good to be able to pray and trust God for everything?"
"It sure is, Mandie," she answered, smiling happily.'
'The girls wanted to help, but were waved aside as the men and boys loaded the gold into the wagon.' Of course they were. Women don't seem respected too much here.
Joe even says "thank you, uncle John" thought John isn't his uncle either.
I thought it was sweet when Mandie told Joe to be careful, & didn't understand why after she said this was strange land & he's never used that gun before Joe turns red and everyone smiles. He says "if I didn't like you so much, Amanda Shaw, I'd say something mean!" That was uncalled for. She was just looking out for you.
I didn't like the foreshadowing: 'little did Mandie know how close the two boys would come to shooting someone.'
Considering Tsa'ni was caught in a trap, with a swollen & bloody foot, I thought it was really insensitive & mean of Joe & Dimar to make him think they weren't going to save him.
Mandie says you should never tell a lie. Tsa'ni lied about not being able to walk and now he really can't walk. It's good to tell kids not to lie, but that's just not true that what you lie about will come to pass like that. Ppl lie all the time.
All the Cherokee did was repeat themselves: "pow-wow tomorrow, council house. Told Cherokee papoose found gold. Cherokee no want gold."
"But you did get all the chiefs to agree to let the Cherokee people vote on what to do with the gold, didn't you, Uncle Ned?" John asked.
"Cherokee vote pow-wow tomorrow, council house," the old man answered.'
I also didn't know they had more than one chief.
When John asks in surprise that they could get all the people together so fast to vote Wirt says "tell one Cherokee. Cherokee tell another Cherokee. News travel fast." I wondered how accurate that was.
There were approximately 1300 Cherokees. Families were large inmost cases, & lived in large family groups together.
Even though Mandie is only 1/4th Cherokee, & a kid, of course she gets to go to the council & vote. Even Joe can go for a ride. Although everything I've heard of council houses is how private they are, & that white people aren't allowed.
I liked hearing the events of the next day: 'the next day would hold more excitement for them. It would be a day long to be remembered.' Maybe because it reminds me of LOTR.
Jerusha walks in saying one word, "Vote." Then "Gold. Find gold. Make Cherokee feel good. People need things."
She says "vote" again, then tells Dimar "vote."
Morning star says "sit. Eat." Which is her only vocab. And of course we can't pass up another meal. Elizabeth says "I know you will all agree on something you need" & Meli says "we agree what to do with gold" sounding like a robot.
Jessan says "we vote. We vote."
'Joe was determined Mandie would be his wife when they grew up, & he didn't want anyone else making eyes at her.' That's rich coming from him, considering he made eyes at Polly.
All the women had red kerchiefs on their heads, as if that's the only color they could wear.
The council house was seven-sided w/ a dome roofed.
I was surprised women were allowed in the council house & able to vote.
Inside the council house were bleachers, & log poles holding up the thatched roof. Symbols on the clans adorned the posts,& the author doesn't even tell the different clans. The sacred fire was directly ahead.
The Indians say the very repetitive "Jim Shaw's Papoose vote." "Papoose find Cherokee gold."
I was surprised they had books & paper there, & voted by writing it down on paper.
She figured the men sitting behind the fire were important.
The council guy says "vote is done. We have counted all votes." Then can suddenly speak a full sentence: "I will read the decision of our people on what to do with the gold found in the cave." Which was the first full sentence by a Cherokee in this entire book.
I was actually mad when they turned down the gold. Even though it was left by their great warrior Tsali. It's left to freaking Mandie because she's beloved Jim Shaw's papoose.
To make matters even more ridiculous, it was a unimanous vote. Not one person voted to keep it. Yeah freaking right.
Who cares if it brought trouble in the past when you can do good with it now & it was left by one of your people? They leave it to Mandie even though Joe & Sallie also found it. Sallie is 100% Cherokee & has lived there her whole life.
They leave the gold to a girl who's 1/4th Cherokee. She tells them she loves them & will do her best with her three uncle's help.
Joe is suddenly there, grabbing Mandie's hand although he's been outside.
She thanks god, saying "my people do love me." They already did, cause apparently Jim Shaw was amazing to them. They didn't have to give you a fortune in gold to show they loved you.
Even though Tsa'ni was sulky just that morning, Tsa'ni voted for Mandie, & suddenly says "Love, my cousin, love! Please forgive me!"
She says "oh, Tsa'ni, my cousin, love!" If he hadn't changed when they saved him, why now?
The change in him didn't even make sense.
'She had gained her cousin's love & acceptance as a Cherokee. God had overruled. After having struggled so long with negative thoughts toward her cousin, the battle was won. She was proud to be part Cherokee, and even prouder to be a Christian.'
You're saying god completely changed Tsa'ni seemingly within minutes. Her feelings seemed to change only because his did. He says he loves you and suddenly you loved him. Not because your heart changed and you wanted to do good by him.
You just said two pages before that you hoped they didn't sit by you,& then moved your skirt and feet so you wouldn't touch them. Perfect little Mandie wasn't so nice in here.
These seem to be more about religious messages than mystery & adventure.
The title didn't fit this book. The synopsis is so misleading. It wasn't even about a legend. What legend? Tsali seemed like a legend, but it was never explained fully.
The legend is thrown out only when they read it on the wall, and it doesn't feel like a legend. It's actually more like a curse,& it wasn't even explored or done anything with.
The first book was better. Super disappointed with this.
Joe was mostly annoying. I wish Mandie had gotten to know Dimar better, and liked him instead. That would be cute. Mandie wasn't as likable in here. Little too much religion for me.
This was a fail of a Native American novel. When you write about someone's culture, you should actually inform readers of it, so we know more about them. Clothing, daily life, language, food.
This could have been so much better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2020
This was another amazing book in this series! I really enjoyed reading it. It is about Mandie when she visits her Cherokee kin people. I recommend this book to girls who like adventure, suspense, historical fiction, and a little bit of mystery.
July 18, 2025
July 2025
Reread, Kindle omnibus
Man, I really hated this when I reread it five years ago! This time around I didn’t have any big objections, and it read similar to how I remember most of the Mandie books (an adventure that is shaped into a mystery) and she seemed pretty appropriate in her behavior for a 12-year-old. Still don’t love the forced romance with Joe, but that’s more on his end than hers. Enjoyed getting to know more of Mandie’s extended family and especially Sallie and Dimar (who I remember show up throughout the series).
October 2020
Excellent narrator on the audio.
Otherwise, this was painful.
How did I read this entire series when I was a child?
Mandie is self-righteous and (as the series progresses) acts like a jerk to her friends and is disrespectful to the adults in her life. The moral lessons she learns don't seem to stick from book to book. I don't understand why all of the other characters love her so much when she's a pretty unlikable character a lot of the time. You could ask the same question of my younger self, though, having read all of these books.
Reread, Kindle omnibus
Man, I really hated this when I reread it five years ago! This time around I didn’t have any big objections, and it read similar to how I remember most of the Mandie books (an adventure that is shaped into a mystery) and she seemed pretty appropriate in her behavior for a 12-year-old. Still don’t love the forced romance with Joe, but that’s more on his end than hers. Enjoyed getting to know more of Mandie’s extended family and especially Sallie and Dimar (who I remember show up throughout the series).
October 2020
Excellent narrator on the audio.
Otherwise, this was painful.
How did I read this entire series when I was a child?
Mandie is self-righteous and (as the series progresses) acts like a jerk to her friends and is disrespectful to the adults in her life. The moral lessons she learns don't seem to stick from book to book. I don't understand why all of the other characters love her so much when she's a pretty unlikable character a lot of the time. You could ask the same question of my younger self, though, having read all of these books.
August 10, 2013
Wow! I liked this book! I read it in only six days! The only problem was that one of my favorite characters, Joe, changed dramatically. Before, in the first book, he was kind, shy, and thoughtful and he always encouraged Mandie through hard times. In Mandie and the Cherokee Legend, he was filled with pride and he teased Mandie throughout the whole book! Also, he was jealous of a kind and trustworthy Indian boy, named Dimar. Now, Dimar is one of my favorite characters, and Joe is my least.
Despite the drastic change of Joe's character, I could not put this book down. It was wonderful!
Despite the drastic change of Joe's character, I could not put this book down. It was wonderful!
March 20, 2008
Ok, I have read like 30 of these books. I am not going to go down the line and click on each one of them. I just want to add that these are very good books for younger people. Each book has a mystery to solve and a lesson is learned in each one. Great for girls....not sure if boys would like them. Can always try though.
May 2, 2021
Mandie goes to visit her Cherokee relatives and is faced with plenty of adventures. Most importantly is the discovery of some gold that was hidden in a cave. The Cherokees don't want it because they believe that gold brings bad luck to them. A message was left with the gold that any white person that takes the gold will be cursed. What is the best thing to do with it?
June 11, 2020
The Mandie books are fun Christian mysteries for children, but I still love reading them. Even though she doesn't age very quickly and seems to get far too many breaks from school during the year, she's a lot of fun.
February 16, 2012
Maybe it's just the fact that I'm not an eleven-year-old girl, but I can't say I really enjoyed this Mandie book. It also may be that since I -didn't- grow up reading this particular Mandie book, there's no sentimental factor to add into my general impression. Sorry, Mandie.
August 14, 2012
These are great books for children, they are clean, and entertaining. They are a bit childish for adults, but not so much as to be corny or anything. They are a comparable reading experience to Little House on the Prairie.
September 26, 2017
So, this story revolved around a bushel of gold found in a cave. For the most part, the story read pretty quick and I didn't find any full spots. I just didn't understand Tsa'ni. He hated Mandie the entire book but on the last page, he suddenly tells her he loves her. Totally bizarre!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2013
This book is really good. it is about a girl that had her dad die. now she lives with her grandma. she goes to help the native americans and she finds................ make sure you read the first book.
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