The Golden Bull

Dar and the
Spear-Thrower

Anooka's Answer

click on image for larger view

"I'm impressed by the very careful research in this novel, especially in terms of the culture and environment of ancient Ur, the technology of goldworking, and the accurate descriptions of the artifacts."

DR. ERNESTINE ELSTER,
Institute of Archaeology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA

"A wonderful look at life in a very different culture. It should be easily understood by modern children because relationships between people change a lot less than technology. The characters are realistically drawn, as are the details of description and behavior."

VIRGINIA GREENE,
Senior Conservator,
University of Pennsylvania, Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Philadelphia, PA

"My students will love it. I've been searching for a middle grade novel set in ancient Mesopotamia for a long time, and now we have it. Those who know little about the subject will learn a lot and it's a great reinforcement for those who have studied this period. The level of this book is high enough for my gifted kids."

RANDY HOLTZMAN,
Gifted Magnet teacher,
Porter Middle School, Granada Hills, CA

"This book is treasure, an impressive tale that makes ancient Mesopotamia come alive. I'm delighted with the sounds, smells, and atmosphere of this world, and the descriptions of the difficult work of creating the golden bull lyre are wonderful and authentic. The brother-sister conflict is something that young people can relate to and their parents and the goldsmith and his wife are drawn with a great deal of sensitivity. The novel us a perfect vehicle for encouraging young readers to enter this world."

NANCY STONE BERNARD,
Director,
The Archaeological Association of Greenwich, Connecticut

"What a good idea for a children's book. Congratulations for this tale about ancient Mesopotamian life and the making of the gold and lapis lyre. The research, settings, and contexts are fine."

DR, ANNE D. KILMER,
Professor Emeritus
Department of Near Eastern Studies, University of California, Berkeley