Before we even started, (my youngest daughter) was not very excited about having to read such a long book with me. However, it wasn't long before we were all interested. The most exciting part of the book was from Chapter 28 through the end of Chapter 31. The girls wouldn't let me put the book down. It was even exciting for me! I felt the book was very age appropriate. I liked that the scary parts weren't too scary for them. I liked how God was represented. He was portrayed accurately. Because I approve of the content, it is a book I feel very comfortable with the girls reading (it) by themselves.

Michelle P., who read "Saving Little-Fish to her daughters, ages 9 and 7, Bremerton WA

I just finished your book. It was wonderful and I couldn't put it down. I am excited to give my niece her copy. I am excited to share it with others. My grandma read it and thoroughly enjoyed it as well. She is 92 years old. She is always telling me the importance of love. Looking forward to the next one. Praise God. Thanks for sharing your gift of writing.

Shelly H., Juvenile Rehabilitation Residential Counselor

A real scenario, which took place during the past 30 days (names changed to protect identity):

• Betty, a 70-something grandmother reads “Saving Little-Fish” and likes it. She said that certain scenes kept running though her head for over a week.

• That grandmother orders six copies for several of her grandchildren and sends the books to them.

• Peyton, age 11, is the first to finish the book and says she enjoys it. She’s a little sad because there isn’t another book in that series––yet.

• John, Peyton’s father, questions her about the book and is impressed by how it affected her. He and his wife talk to the local school librarian about the book and offer to donate two copies. The librarian is pleased.

• John purchases two copies of  “Saving Little-Fish” to be shelved in the school library.

• Grandmother Betty orders two more copies and Gina, her adult daughter, orders three copies for friends who have children.

• Author’s question:  Is the sale of one book the sale of just one book?

 

--Author's conversations with those involved

Thank you again for allowing our family to read your wonderful story . . .  It is absolutely fantastic. The children really enjoyed listening and I appreciated the quality family times.  It just captivate P. and E.  Even W. loved it . . . When I would try to finish for an evening, they would beg for another chapter.  It is a wonderful warm story––just beautiful. I enjoyed it as much as the children.   Thanks again. 

 

Katie B,. mother of two elementary-aged children and one pre-schooler

 

An invitation from a youth detention facility came to me by way of a teacher in the school that the institution provides. He wondered if I would be free to come and speak to three classes. I accepted and it proved to be a truly satisfying experience. The two English Reading classes learned how books actually come into being, from inspiration to publication. The English Composition class learned fundamentals of effective writing. I returned to the E.C. class a week later, having read and commented on some of their writing. The following are two letters I received:

From a teen-aged detainee (I haven’t corrected the spelling):

Dear Dr. Cary,

Thank you for taking time out of your day to prepare a lesson for us and then to drive all the way here to teach it to us. That deffinetly shows you care, its nice to know that you would do this for a bunch of kids that are locked up. I know a lot of people wouldn’t want to do what you did for a bunch of criminals. I truly appreciate the lesson especially since it gave some pointers on how I could improve my writing.    --A.R.   p.s. Sorry about my handrwriting.

From the teacher:

Thanks so much for coming and speaking to the Reading and English classes at (the institution). They especially appreciated the written feedback from a “real author.” You wrote a great book. Thanks for sharing!   A.B.

A.B. is a teacher at the correction facility's school

A seven-year-old boy in Arizona received a copy of "Saving Little-Fish" from his auntie. It took him several days to read it and he said he really enjoyed the book. This was the first chapter book he has ever read. His mother asked him if he had any questions about what he'd read.  His answer:  "Is there another one I can read?"

Rhianna  J. --Mother whose children have read the book

We had our daughter and her family here for 2 days. they just

left. And before I forget I wanted to tell you how excited our second-

grader was to tell me that his teacher is reading SAVING

LITTLE-FISH to his entire 2nd grade class at (a Christian school)

everyday right after the noon-time recess. He was pretty enthusiastic

and telling me what was happening in the story and what he had

figured out as the story went along.

 

Elaine Colvin Wright  (full  name used with permission)

Point of interest:  The "prequel" to "Saving Little-Fish" is a hitherto unpublished larger work written with adult readers in mind. In the process of submitting it to various publishers, I received a note from the Senior Editor of a major Christian publishing house.  The book didn't meet their then current needs, but the Senior Editior who apparently enjoys historical fiction sent me an encouraging e-mail, which I now cite (in editied form) with his permission:

"I am impressed with your proposal...and I am passing it along to our fiction editor with my recommendation.  It is obvious that you know your history and also that you know how to write historical fiction..."

E-mail sent to the author from Bill Petersen in 2004

In this segment I would like to submit two letters received from two young men who have read "Saving Little-Fish" as part of a reading class at the high school in the youth facility where they are incarcerated. I estimate their ages to be 16-18. Of their own will, they sent me the following (I have written them without editing, except for their names):

Dear Dr. Cary

I liked the book because it made me learn about the native culture and about the Chinook village the longhouse that I didnt know they had any and what I liked about the book is that it had adventures and I wanna thank you for taking your time to come talk to us and your book was interesting.

Sincerely, R.O.

 

Dear Dr. Cary

What I like about this book I got to say was good interesting and had very good deatils. And what I learn was about new culture, and Indinas. I never read a book like this and it was my first time I got to say it was good.  Thanks for writeing this book.

From, O.A.O.

 

Thanks to their teacher for forwarding the letters.

I loved the book. You are a great story teller. I found it moving and could hardly put it down.

K.C., a 50-something avid reader of books of all kinds. 

...thanking you for the opportunity to be able to read your wonderful book "Saving Little-Fish". The book is full of wisdom as Miriam & Moses travel along their journey in life. I am so delighted to say I know the author and have for many years. God Bless you for this delightful book. Keep writing my friend!!!!!!

R. W.-R., Arizona

Richard,

I liked this book very much because it builds in suspense every chapter.  I love that it whisks you back to the time of the Chinook Indians where they hunted for food instead of just driving to the grocery store. I love the concept of the coin “keeping” Miriam rather than vice- versa. I love Miriam’s courage to stand up for what’s right. I love how her family so loving and kind to their village. It was a great idea to have her not back down to the slave keeper and fight to save Little-Fish

This was a great book and I think you should write many more.

 Sincerely, your #1 fan,

 Micah  Age 10       

I loved the Boston Kitty. Great book. I thought it was great because the title made sense to the story.

P.J. West Richland