The clan opens the feast singing a traditional song and dancing simple steps to move around in a circle. After they finish, their mother tells them it’s time for the feast. Kol’s dad asks him and Pek to help build a hut for their guests because they may be frequent visitors. She asks if he knows what happened to cause the feud between their clans five years ago. Kol apologizes to Mya for raising his spear at her earlier but assures her he would’ve never thrown it before seeing his target clearly. Mya tucks a necklace with a pendant under her parka. They hush whatever they’re talking about.

As they, Kol approaches the sisters as they visit quietly nearby. Kol hurries back to the village to get the butchers. Pek tells Kol he thinks these girls will change their lives forever. Pek and Mya’s sister Seeri brought down a mammoth at the same time. It’s a killing blow that saves Kol’s life. She throws her spear over Kol’s head, at the cat waiting to pounce on him. He raises his spear but then sees it’s Mya. He thinks he’s lost the cat but then hears something approaching. He misses with his spear throw and is suddenly being chased by a saber-toothed cat. Kol runs the fastest he’s ever ran to impress Mya. Kol leads the way until they find the mammoths. Kol’s mom goes back to the tribe to cook dinner while the others go huntin.

Their parents approach with a group of three: the chief of a clan and his two sisters. Kol’s brother Pek finds him in a meadow because a canoe has arrived at their village. She asks him to tell her about the best day of his life.

He tries to keep her awake while he builds a fire. ***** Everything below is a SPOILER ***** What happened in Ivory and Bone? This book is set in a cold northern area in prehistoric times. Much of this book is written in second person from Kol’s point of view (addressing Mya).

Ivory and Bone by Julie Eshbaugh