The Bones on Black Spruce Mountain

The Bones on Black Spruce Mountain

Onion River Press, 2004

Seth and Daniel have ventured into the woods and swamps on their hikes and camping trips, but they’ve never climbed Black Spruce mountain. Perhaps the legend of the mistreated foster child who ran away to hide there has stopped them: according to the story, his bones still lie in a cave on the mountaintop.

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Now, as summer ends, the boys feel ready for the lonely mountain’s challenge. But neither realizes what special significance the fate of the dead boy has for Daniel, until their simple camping trip becomes a journey into a painful past that must be confronted.

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In a powerful, strikingly original book, David Budbill writes about the natural world, about loneliness, love and the need to reach out to others.

BONES ON BLACK SPRUCE MOUNTAIN

won The 1979-80 Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award
has been featured on Vermont Public Radio’s Camel’s Hump Radio

​“A thoroughly convincing wilderness yarn that effectively fuses the quest for mastery with the quest for knowledge.”

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- The New York Times Book Review

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“The Bones on Black Spruce Mountain is one of those books kids and adults alike will want to read over, and over, and over. Far as I’m concerned, same goes for anything Budbill has written."

- Rusty DeWees, actor, writer and a.k.a. “The Logger'”

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“A taut adventure story enhanced by authentic detail of natural wonders, including the human psyche.”

- Publishers’ Weekly

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“Budbill’s exploration of a friendship is thoughtful and haunting…delicate and strong.”

- Booklist

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“Condensed prose…great skill and sensitivity…an unusually good, satisfying book.”

- Children’s Book Review Service

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