The Dark Pond

August 1, 2004
As he did with Skeleton Man, Joseph Bruchac once again blends haunting elements of traditional Native American folklore with a modern setting and characters in The Dark Pond, illus. by Sally Wern Comport. Armin, the teenage son of a Shawnee woman and a student at North Mountains School, is plagued by visions he experiences after visiting a mysterious pond one winter afternoon. (Aug.) .

Armin Katchatorian--part Shawnee, part Armenian--attends a private boarding school because he has trouble controlling his anger. An outsider who communicates better with animals that with people, Armie is drawn by something evil in the pond near his school. He is warned to stay away by a young Native American investigating the mysterious goings on at the pond. Bruchac has crafted a completely creepy short tale with great appeal to horror fans looking for a quick fix. Ramon de Ocampo's narration is spot-on; he captures the anger and fear of Armie's character, and his pacing contributes nicely to the hair-raising aspect of the story. S.G. (c) AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine