In the Language of Loons

by Natalie Kinsey-Warnock

It was summer, 1969, and for all his life, Arlis would remember it because of the loons Spending the summer with his grandparents opened new worlds for Arlis. He was glad to be away from his father, who was always too busy to spend time with him anyway. That wasn't the case with Grandpa. Grandpa taught him about the stars, about birds, and most especially about having faith in himself and the need to take responsibility for your actions. It was the summer he started to run, and realized he could be good at something if he tried hard enough. When school started that fall, even though some sad changes came as well, he was a new Arlis, one who was able to stand on his own.

112 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1998

About the author

My sister, three brothers, and I grew up on a Vermont dairy farm in a region known as the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, USA, where my Scottish ancestors settled almost two hundred years ago.

Our lives revolved around our church, our community, and the hard work of farming. Along with milking and feeding the animals each morning and evening, there was the work of each season: maple sugaring, plowing, picking stone, planting, haying, corn-cutting, harvest, cutting wood.

While my parents lives were consumed by farming and providing for their children, they managed to pass on much more to us. My mother, a teacher, instilled in us a love of books and reading, and a curiosity about everything, while my father, besides being an excellent athlete, has also encouraged our interest in the natural world, whether it was identifying birds, trees and wildflowers, or pointing out constellations on a starry night.

My book As Long As There Are Mountains is based on my childhood and my love of the farm, the land, and the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont.

Reviews

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good! Enjoyed sweet relationship between Arlis and his grandparents and the passing of stories, knowledge and wisdom from one generation to another. Very powerful story with lots of powerful messages as a boy comes to age and grapples with some complex problems and feelings. Cross county running and birding themes mixed in that make it an easy, fast read to be enjoyed by lots of different people and ages.

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a bad find to end the year on

[Linda Spear · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kinsey-Warnock packs so much into such a short book. Her style is not unlike Earl Hamner from whose writing the TV Waltons series was created.

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was surprised how much I learned about loons in the “coming of age” story that was shocking and heartbreaking at times. I want to read this to my 5th and 6th grade classes.

[Duane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I well thought out book that deals with a young mans coming to age trials as he learns what a true man really believes. He spends a summer with his grandparents and experiences the times and trials that he soon discovers really builds character. A good read!

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought the book was awesome I really like how you explained how the loon got tangled in the fishing line.
GOOD STORY!