The touch of bark, the feel of stone

the long version

"Racken has never been to the ends of the earth. He cannot speak to reindeer, he cannot fly like a bird, and he has never seen the all-mother, nor does he want to. At the age of thirteen, Racken's only concern was to become a hunter for his tribe, but all that changes when an odd band of men come to Racken's village. It is with these men that Racken learns friendship and fear, hate and trust, love and loss. This journey brings him to the very edge of life, and the vision he brings back challenges him and his tribe."--Back cover.