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.

Janet M. Moreland is not a poet of the classical era. In "Spilled Words," her free verse, prose and lyrical rhythms may be separated for a given poem, then mixed with wild abandon as her heart spills words upon the printed page. "Spilled Words" contains poems for family and friends, for loves remembered, words from her Cherokee spirit, all of which may enchant or annoy but are sure to entertain. Her sense of humor is never far away and gives an insight into the life of this singular poet, who describes herself as a "recluse, living in an oasis in the midst of the barren desert, where I may wander with the spirits who dwell in these mystical mountains." Here also are some of her short stories and a poem titled "Thunder's Mother," which was written for children. Janet strives to entertain, and here is her entertainment at its best, as when she writes: I shall visit that place called Solitude again. It's peopled with interesting, vaporous souls who haunt its spaces in search of new touches.