Taka's New Friend

Before the first white men reached the Pacific coast of California it was well populated by many groups of Native Americans who were known as the Costonoans. Among the Costonoans there were large bands who were known as the Ohlone tribe. What would it be like for two young boys one a native Ohlone and one who had come to America as an indentured servant aboard the tall ship that sailed into San Francisco harbor to meet for the first time? Their cultures were unknown to each other their languages were different and their outlook on life was entirely different. But what if both boys were friendly and gifted with a natural curiosity toward each other? Would they learn to communicate? What would they want to know about each other? How would the adults in their worlds react to this attempt at friendship between these two young boys? Here in Taka's New Friend (historical fiction for Young Readers)the author attempts to explore the stragies of these two young strangers in getting to know each other.