The Books

Basket Moon

by Mary Lyn Ray
Illustrated by Barbara Cooney

One Potato Review

Speaks softly, minds its own business. Strong, silent types go about the slightly esoteric business of weaving baskets somewhere deep in Rip Van Winkle territory, then traveling monthly to the city (“Hudson smelled of brick and business”) for trading. There’s some folksy sounding mumbo jumbo about the language of the wind, but this story is worth reading (and hard to forget) for its intimate glimpse at small craftsmanship, and the sort of quiet little corners of our society that used to support it. It’s also a story of one boy’s growing up, and growing wise to the prejudices outside his little orbit, and quietly rising above them. Be patient with this one. It deserves a couple of chances.