Brian Young (3)

This is a Navajo Creation Story for middle-grade children about friendship, family, and bravery. A powerful fantasy about a courageous 11-year old Navajo boy, Nathan, who spends the summer at his grandmother's on the Navajo nation in New Mexico. Nathan thinks his summer is going to be boring out in the desert without internet but soon discovers his ability to see Holy Beings. Brian Young draws the reader in as Nathan struggles with his stepmother, family, and internal conflicts. Nathan must travel out of the human world to save his friend Pond the water monster. He not only saves the water monster helping to restore water to the desert where his grandmother lives, but helps his uncle heal along the way. This book was an American Indian Youth Literature Award Winner for Best Middle Grade Book!… (more)

Healer of the Water Monster is a chapter book about Nathan, a Diné boy, who chooses to stay with his grandmother over the summer and perform science experiments. He learns about his culture and traditional stories. He comes across beings from the stories including a sick water monster. He tries to heal the water monster, but his efforts are not enough. He is given trust to help raise and care for a baby water monster, however. He also uses these lessons to help his uncle heal and connect to his family. The author’s note elaborates ways in which his story differs from traditional stories.… (more)

Oh lordy, let me tell you, this book is amazing! A wonderful debut novel from Brian Young. Really interesting characters, both real and mythological. The book is based on Navajo mythology, a topic that the author is very passionate about. The ending to this book is a tear-jerker so fair warning. Although, the actual ending is positive there is a point toward the ending to this book that will break even adult readers. The author's note at the end provides some great context for story and how it is written. The author revels in how stories and their meaning change for people and how those stories help to foster identities and guide people along their paths.… (more)