Prehistory Brought to Life for Young Readers

(from Pauline, age 12)

Marjorie answers:

Dear Pauline,
So many reasons! I had been trained by UCLA to present lectures to mostly middle schools in and around Los Angeles. I loved doing this and loved the study of prehistoric archaeology, the subject of the presentations. After many years of doing this I decided to write a book with a prehistoric background, which of course turned out to be “Dar.” I used my son as a model for Dar because they had many things in common, and this helped me center the novel. Is this the kind of answer you’re searching for? Hope so.

Marjorie

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(from Angie, age 12)

Marjorie answers:

Interesting question, Angie. Mora tells Dar that her brother, Seelan, left their clan when young to look for a new campsite where the hunting was better. Their father had warned Seelan against going to a lake where a fierce clan lived that wore fur clothes instead of leather and lived in caves instead of tents. When Seelan’s injury prevents him from returning to his clan, everyone thought that the people of Toreg’s clan had killed him. The point I was trying to make was that we often make mistaken conclusions based on both fear and ignorance. Years later when Dar finally arrives in Toreg’s clan he finds the people there both helpful and kind, not at all the scary clan that so frightens Dar’s grandmother. I  hope this answer helps.

Sincerely,
Marjorie Cowley

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(from Ash, age 12)

Marjorie answers:

Dear Ash,
Iron Pyrite—or what I called a “sunstone” in my novel—comes in various sizes. When I was exhibiting artifacts and authentic tools (owned by UCLA) during presentations to classes, I used three very small marble-sized pieces. When one of them went missing—the only item that was ever stolen in over twenty years of teaching—I  searched for a larger one and bought a piece from Peru the size of a ping pong ball. Because iron pyrite  is bright gold in color (California miners called it ‘fool’s gold’), this larger piece was more dramatic and could be seen more easily in a classroom. Only when iron pyrite is struck against flint are sparks produced that can ignite a fire. My guess is that this was an accidental discovery and totally unknown to Toreg’s clan. He wanted one so desperately that he willingly exchanged his spear-thrower for Dar’s sunstone. Dar’s clan had long ago found out where to look for the mineral so Dar knew he could find a replacement.
Ash, I hope this answer your question.
Marjorie Cowley

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(from Gaby, Age 11)

Marjorie answers:

Dear Gaby,
You’ve asked a good question. Most people think that the Ice Age was a long, continuous period of time when the climate was severe and survival difficult. In fact, the climate has kept changing with periods of intense cold alternating with warmer weather. The warmer periods are called ‘interglacial’ and how many such periods there were is still an open question today. I had Dar and the Cro-Magnon people in western Europe living in an interglacial period because I wanted the problems Dar and his clan were facing to be the most important part of the story. I do think, however, an interesting book could be written when day-to-day existence was brutal and difficult. To get some idea of the skill this would take read about the Eskimos and find out what goes into mastering such a life.
Sincerely, Marjorie Cowley

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(from Troy)

Marjorie answers:

Troy,

I tried to make clear in the book that Toreg is the stranger that Dar unexpectedly meets in the Pine Forest when he is emptying the snares that have been made to catch small animals. Dar is frightened of Toreg because he holds a spear that is ready to be thrown. Instead of being dressed in leather clothes, as in Dar’s clan, Toreg is dressed in fur clothing. And to make matters worse, he and Dar do not speak the same language. Dar knows he is no match for this man and places his spear on the ground with the handle in the stranger’s direction and the flint pointed toward himself. It’s a gesture that says that this is no contest. Toreg removes his weapon from the throwing position and they go on to compare methods for starting a fire. Dar brings out his sunstones, quickly starts a fire, and Toreg is amazed—and wants them. He shows Dar his spear-thrower, but Dar refuses the trade that Toreg offers. Dar returns to his clan, but cannot get the spear-thrower out of his mind. Eventually he will go to Toreg’s clan to make the trade. I hope this answers your question.

Sincerely,
Marjorie Cowley

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(from Kiliegh)

Marjorie answers:

Dear Kiliegh,

It’s a good question because I don’t think I made this as clear as I could have. Mora does take a big chance in sending Dar up the mountain because she is well aware of his fear of heights. On his second try, now determined to help his wounded uncle, he climbs to the top in spite of his fears and threatening hawks. Later, back in the tent with the badly injured Kenok, Mora says, “You, the healing plants, and the spirits have saved Kenok.” Later, she tells Dar that the real test is whether you can do what is expected of you even if you have fears and doubts about yourself.” Dar ask her if this was why she sent him up the mountain to get the healing plants instead of fearless Bowan. Mora nods, and then a bear comes into the camp and Dar acts bravely. “You see,” Mora says, “you acted even though you were frightened.” This is the point of her behavior you asked about and the point of the initiation ceremony as well. I hope this answers your question.

Sincerely,
Marjorie Cowley

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(from Maria)

Marjorie answers:

Dear Maria,

Dar’s grandmother’s name is Mora. In choosing names for my characters I tried to make them short, different from names we are familiar with, and easy to pronounce. I have lists of such possible names, and it’s fun to choose them for each new book.

Sincerely,
Marjorie Cowley

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(From Ken)

Marjorie answers:

Dear Ken,

Good question. When asked what kinds of book I write, my answer is historical novels for young readers. The background for the books is as accurate as I can make it, but the stories are from my imagination. It’s a combination that interests me because it combines research with characters that I hope bring the prehistoric setting to life.

Sincerely,
Marjorie Cowley

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(from Armine, age 16)

Marjorie answers:

Dear Armine,

You ask a pretty big question and I’ll try to give you the answer that was in my head when I was writing the novel. The book is about the slow maturation of a young boy who starts out with no self-confidence. Dar lives with an uncle who has little regard for him, he is small for his age, he is worried that he’ll never become a skilled hunter, and the thing he loves the most, carving, is something his uncle Kenok thinks is a waste of time. On top of all this, he is about to undergo a frightening initiation ceremony. Slowly Dar begins to overcome his problems. He defends his grandmother against a bear attack; he climbs up a mountain to obtain healing plants for his injured uncle; he does not cry or panic during the initiation ceremony; he reaches out to a boy who has never been his friend; and he goes alone to the Pine Forest, meets Toreg, and is dazzled by his spear-thrower. Thinking that it will make him a successful hunter, he goes alone to Toreg’s clan to trade his sunstone for the weapon. He accomplishes his most difficult task in the Forest when he and his uncle unexpectedly meet. After a painful discussion during which Dar stands up to Kenok, they finally solve their deep problems. In short, the book is about becoming an adult, something we all are faced with doing.

I hope this answers your question, Armine.

Sincerely, Marjorie Cowley

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