Yani and the Knapper: The Journey (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781532388576)

Yani lives is a small village with her father, mother and two sisters. The father, Gret, has had a very unsuccessful year as a hunter so the family has been considered cursed. On a day in early spring, when Yani is supposed to be gathering greens for the family, she is spotted by the old Knapper as he emerges from the forest. Her long blonde hair is flying loose as she dances round with a cloud of butterflies. Seeing her he smiles, thinking she is exactly like the daughter he imagines he would have had if life had been different. Entering the village he soon learns she is a dreamer and considered a poor daughter, one not likely to find a good life mate. As he moves through the village bartering his blades, the idea occurs to him that the father may be willing to part with her. The trade is done and the next morning Yani finds herself trudging north with the old man. She soon discovers not only adventure but a warm father-daughter love as they travel from their home on the sea in the north to the Mountains That Are Always White in the South. During their travels in a fanciful land loosely based on Europe during a quasi Stone Age, they encounter wolves, bears, and a blizzard. As the Journey progresses, Yani grows from the frightened little girl to a self reliant teen. Along the way she learns many skills to use to provide for herself.