This was the first book I ever bought with my own money- at a school book fair. I loved the story of Hawk and Willow, and many years later realized how many of their adventures (and inventions) were like that of the super talented Ayla and Jondelar in Jean Auel's Earth's Children series. In the space of a few seasons these outcasts invented waterproof baskets, bow and arrow, domesticated animals and fought off enemy tribes. I loved this book when I was ten! ( )

I enjoy rereading the Jim Kjelgaard books I read as a youth. Perhaps it is because he was such a good story teller, and his works hold up well despite the years between the original publishing date and now. Fire-Hunter is no exception to that observation.

Hawk is a prehistoric youth, about 16, who has inherited his father's role as the weapon maker for his tribe, but Hawk isn't content to just provide spears to the hunters, he likes to think about how to make his spears work better.

And because of his ideas, and actions, he finds himself abandoned by the tribe, left to die along with a young girl who was wounded in an attack.

Kjelgaard's books are entertaining and engaging: I found myself drawn into Hawk's situation and how he not only survived, but thrived on his own. Recommended for all. ( )

An amusing tale of how we might have acquired domestic dogs, smoked food and the Arrow.
Even as a child, I found the story light reading, but the storyline held together well, as did the obstacles they had to overcome. ( )

I will always remember this book fondly, though I don't remember much about the story itself. I read it when I was perhaps eight or nine. It was the first book that ever really gripped me. I am not sure what it was about the story, but I can still remember that feeling of being totally swept up into the world of a book. I was very excited to find it and remember the experience some years later. Five stars for the memory..... ( )