School Library Journal Starred Review

Gr 5-8--This unique and compelling fantasy/adventure is set in northern New Mexico. The mood is created immediately as Tepary Jones, 13, sets out to view a total eclipse of the full moon from the ruins of a cliff dwelling near his family's farm, but the quiet mystery of the Ancient Ones is shattered by illegal pothunters. Tep finds an eagle-bone flute they leave behind, and his adventures become complicated by a magic older than the ruins. He finds himself changing into a bushy-tailed woodrat each night, which both hinders and helps him to find the pothunters; develop drought-resistant seeds with his father; and save his mother from the hantavirus, a disease thought to be contracted from rodent droppings. Both parents are scientists and have encouraged their son to enjoy and respect nature, and to help preserve the variety of life on earth as well as the beauties of the past. They are both fully developed individuals who capture and hold readers' interest. Even Dusty, the dog, has a rare personality. Hobbs vividly evokes the Four Corners region and blends fantasy with fact so smoothly that the resulting mix can be consumed without question. Subplots flow together naturally, and ancient stories and sensibilities become one with modern lives. Outstanding characters, plot, mood, and setting combine in this satisfying and memorable book.--Darcy Schild, Schwegler Elementary School, Lawrence, KS

ALA Booklist (Sun Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 1995)

When 13-year-old Tepary Jones and his dog Dusty are camping out at the Picture House, an ancient Anasazi cliff dwelling not far from his father's Seed Farm, they encounter some grave robbers. After scaring them away, Tepary cannot resist taking the small bone flute the thieves left behind. Playing the ancient flute marks the beginning of a strange yet fascinating story, for Tepary triggers his gift as a changeling, and each night after dark, he becomes a pack rat. Ludicrous as this may sound, the novel works because of Hobbs' easy style and his ability to make readers suspend disbelief. Additionally, the information that young people will learn about ancient farming and seed-gathering practices and the habits of desert animals, especially pack rats--all part of Hobbs' obvious but unobtrusive environmental message--make the story not only an entertaining fantasy, but also an interesting ecological education resource. (Reviewed Oct. 1, 1995)

Horn Book (Sat Apr 01 00:00:00 CST 1995)

Part fantasy, part reality, this novel is set against the ruins of the Anasazi cliff dwellings. Tep finds an ancient flute that causes him to magically turn into a packrat each night. Added to the plot are a scare about a deadly virus that Tep's mother may have contracted, and a stranger who has mystical powers. The story is fascinating despite some roughness in integrating the many elements of the plot.