Om-Kas-Toe by Kenneth Thomasma

With a subtitle of Blackfeet Twin captures an Elkdog this book captures the attention of a perspective reader from the outset.  Based on a Blackfeet legend of the first encounter with a horse, known originally as an elk dog, this story is a engrossing fiction read.   The main characters are a set of twins who should not even be alive.   But that is only a very small portion of the book.

Twin Boy and Twin Girl are the children of Tall Woman and Crooked Arm.   And when they were first born, the tribe was concerned because twins were a sign of danger or evil to come.   But Tall Woman appealed to the Elders and she was given the opportunity to raise them both. This choice would be relived over and over for the next few decades. 

Twin Boy struggles to grow up, learn to hunt and become a warrior like his father but he is still young and impatient.   At 8, he is working hard to learn the ways of the animals, and not be stuck with the younger children doing the easier jobs around the camp.   But to truly gain the trust of the men and the right to join some hunts, he must prove his abilities to be still, quiet, and not spook.  Can he do it?   How can he learn it? 

Then come several opportunities to prove himself and the results vary.  He and his sister, Twin Girl cause some problems, help, and then in one case, help find a lost child that no one else has been able to find.   Of course, this is partially due to their pet raven who is trained to find certain prey.   But is this enough to prove himself to the men?   Only time will tell.  

When a warring tribe is seen near the village with elkdogs, the Blackfeet are nervous and excited.  What are these dog like animals that allow men to ride them?  And how could anyone escape from the warriors riding them? 

To find the answers to these questions, readers must delve into this enjoyable look into life in a Blackfeet village before white settlers set foot in the Plains.   Share an afternoon with Twin Boy and Twin Girl as they live life the way they know it. 

Age Range: 10 to 14

Thomasma, K. (1986). Om-kas-toe Blackfeet twin captures an Elkdog . Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Book House.