The Chumash Circle

By Daniel Phalen

Subjects: ghosts, young adult mystery

Description: The Chumash Circle introduces eleven-year-old Rose Doolittle, a girl who sees and hears things other people do not. An owl that seeks her out. A benevolent Chumash ghost woman. Even an ancient Sisquoc ghost who wants to be a surfer dude. Is she going crazy? Or can these spirits lead her to new discoveries about herself? Rose turns for help to Tobin Lightfoot, a modern-day Chumash teen, who in his own quiet way teaches Rose to understand and accept the mystery in her own emerging power. Underlying all is an obscure Chumash legend about nine stones and the gift of power from Bear, the mightiest spirit of all. As her faith in the world is shaken, Rose, “just a girl,” makes critical choices that will set her course for the rest of her life. Is there really magic in the circle of stones? Or is it merely a legend, twisted with time and powerless? Attempting to solve a crime the authorities ignore, Rose falls victim to her own pride and folly. Faced with the possibility of death for her friend and defeat for herself, she turns to Chumash power and a strange incantation. Is she worthy of Bear power? Will calling upon it save or destroy her? Not in her wildest dreams is she prepared for what happens.