Gr 5-6-Readers first meet Ahmek as he is swimming in the pond where he lives with his father and grandmother. For a beaver, it's an idyllic life, with lots of fun and food. A chance meeting with a human stirs up memories of the time his mother disappeared, but this man only wants to watch the beaver family. Then, others who are less kind destroy the beavers' dam and Ahmek is forced to flee. He travels north, having many adventures before he finally finds another pond and a mate and creates a new home for himself. This story is written in poetic, somewhat sophisticated language that reflects a keen appreciation for nature. However, some of the characters are problematic. The white beaver that serves as Ahmek's teacher and guide speaks in snippets of poetry (explained by the fact that he was raised by humans). There's also a muskrat that imitates other animals and throws his voice-in one case he uses this skill to save Ahmek's life. These creatures add a comic element, but they detract from the story's generally realistic plot. An afterword explains that the kind man is a Canadian painter from the early 1900s, which adds interest, but is not essential to the story, since the humans act primarily as catalysts. The animals' names are Ojibway, and are defined in a glossary. While this story's quiet nature might not hold appeal for all, animal enthusiasts will find much to enjoy as they join Ahmek on his journey.-Arwen Marshall, formerly at New York Public Library Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.