The Water Seeker

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Traces the hard life, filled with losses, adversity, and adventure, of Amos, son of a trapper and dowser, from 1833 when his mother dies giving birth to him until 1859, when he himself has grown up and has a son of his own.

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Quiet, subtle, a bit slow, lacking in kid appeal submitted by klickitat on August 6, 2012, 9:27am The Water Seeker chronicles the early life of Amos Kincaid, from his birth, to his journey on the Oregon Trail, and concluding a few years into his marriage.

Seeker is a quiet, subtle book. While there are many moments of great drama, the majority of the book is introspective and concerns Amos's slow growth into manhood. For this reason, it will not be appealing to every child. It's a hard novel to categorize. Is it an overland trail journey? No, only an estimated quarter concerns Amos's family's westward journey. Is it historical fiction? Yes, but there are some mystical elements as well. Is it a coming of age story? Partially, but the story ends before Amos truly comes of age.

The narrative unfolds in multiple perspectives, alternating from Amos himself, to his many caregivers and adopted family members throughout his life. Given the novel's brief length and the large amount of time covered, events are heavily condensed and the story suffers as a result. The pacing often feels in contrast with the novel's overall laidpack pace, as entire spans of Amos's life are glossed over. Another criticism rests with Holt's use of stock characters, the "all-knowing Native American woman" being the most notable example.

The book will be of special interest to librarians in states whose schools include units on the Oregon Trail, missionaries, and/or settlers. Readers from homes with adopted members or mixed families will appreciate Amos's many non-traditional families.

At the time of its publication, this book generated a fair amount of buzz as a potential Newbery selection. (It wasn't one.) And while it's true that similar historical fiction titles were honored in the past, I'm not certain Seeker is enough of a children's book to be a contender. Unlike, for example, Sarah, Plain and Tall, the narrators are primarily adults and there probably isn't enough action to sustain the average young person's interest. This title could easily have been marketed as an adult selection. The uneven pacing and uncertain audience kept it off my short list.