Moon of Two Dark Horses

Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the realization that outside world conflicts, like political divides or social unrest, are starting to strain their personal friendships. It is a powerful tool for middle schoolers who feel caught between their loyalty to a friend and the pressures of their larger community. The story follows Coshmoo, a Delaware Indian boy, and his best friend Daniel, a white settler, during the outbreak of the Revolutionary War. As their respective families are pushed toward opposing sides of a bloody conflict, the boys embark on a quest to find the bones of a legendary beast to save their valley from war. This historical novel explores themes of justice, the pain of cultural division, and the bravery required to remain a friend when society demands you become an enemy. It is a poignant, realistic look at the end of childhood innocence during a period of intense historical transition.