Grace under Fire — Patricia Brooks

This mystery novel is set on the Makah Indian reservation and takes off from the recent conflict between the Makah and non-Indians over the desire of a group of six young Makah men to prove themselves equal to the bravery of their ancestors, who took one whale each year to feed the tribe, from only a canoe, using only a harpoon. To do so, these six had to cleanse their bodies of alcohol and drugs and go through extensive spiritual training, to be worthy of a whale coming to them and allowing itself to be taken in such a seemingly impossible way. They were successful in their endeavor in 1999; but later a second group of six followed the same regimen and spiritual training to make themselves worthy. However, the protests of outsiders put the matter in the courts, where it continues to languish, despite the fact that the Makah were given that right in perpetuity through their 1885 treaty. The book fulfills its mystery genre with a fast-moving plot, and provides both mystery and suspense. But its value, beyond entertainment, is the in-depth look at Makah culture, and by extension all Native American cultures, both traditional and contemporary. This is not a children's book, but there is nothing in it not suitable for children of most any age. The Makah boy at its center is 16, and The Braves who desire to return to their traditional heritage are in their late teens and twenties. The private investigator in the Grace series is a young woman, 29 in this book, who uses her gymnastic skills and acting abilities instead of a weapon to outsmart her adversaries and get herself and her companions out of trouble. In addition to a good story, well told, the book seeks to provide all ages with a model of a nonmaterialistic culture which values nature and all creatures beyond material possessions.