Full reviews from our friends…

Prior to publication, the following are reviews reprinted in their entirety. We appreciate our friends, both professional and personal, who took the time to read early copies of Towa’s Journey and share their views.

“It’s a delightful project! There’s a real peace and reverence for nature and cultural history that comes through on nearly every page. I thought about when I was a kid on road trips through the Southwest, how I’d always be looking for a book like this to explain the customs and origin stories of the Pueblo people to me. I thought the story was remarkably well paced, with savvy chapter breaks that kept the action moving. I think it can find a wide audience. I felt good reading this story.”

~ Molly Boyle, former Random House Fiction Editor, copy editor on this book.

Dear Joe,

I have completed reading your delightful story of Towa and his emergence into this world, the world of the SouthWest and surviving in a new land.  It was wonderful, magical, and enlightening!  I loved the way you told the story, as it was if I, too, were  sitting there with you, after school, at Grandma Petra’s room, all cozy and safe with cousins/friends, and a loving grandmother!  The story of “emergence” is told in such a way, that you can hear the grandparents passing along the story to the younger generations ~ and they, too, will remember it and pass it along to the next generation.

The friendship between Towa and his buddy, hummingbird, was touching, warm, and so in tune with Towa’s connection to Mother Nature/Mother Earth ~ a time when animals and humans lived together, with respect for each other, and learning from each other.  You, the author, tell the story in such a fashion, that the reader can feel him/herself being there and hearing this story with family for the first time.  Your characters are warm, gentle people that the reader is glad to know and spend time with.  I loved the story, it is so, for the most part, gentle and easy reading.  I particularly enjoyed the friendship between Towa and his buddy the hummingbird.

I just wish I could have had this story when I was teaching Native American Literature to my Junior American Literature classes!  It would have made a wonderful teaching tool and learning tool and lively discussion tool for the classroom! As I said, I am just sorry that I did not have this available for my use.  The style of your writing is great for all ages!  A good story for the elementary student, as well as a good story for the adolescent in high school ~ as well as for us “older” folks who enjoy good writing and good storytelling!

You should be very proud of your effort! Truly amazing and delightful!  Thank you for sharing with me and letting me be a part of Towa’s journey. You have something here to be very, very proud of ~ and I hope you find a publisher for your work.  It is, in my humble opinion, worth publishing and sharing with the world/universe!  

Kenneth Buhrmann, Ph.D.(and  U.Hardy McNew, Ph.D.)

As an Indigenous Educator, it has become increasingly important for me to advocate for culturally appropriate curriculum and literature in our schools.  Our children must see themselves, their history and their culture in the curriculum, in order to create meaningful learning connections.  For many years, there has been a movement to shift the paradigm in schools near and far.  So discovering a story that intentionally uplifts the creation stories of Pueblo people is crucial at this time. Joe Cajero tells a wonderful story of the important Pueblo core values of love, resilience, community and responsibility.

The book’s title, Towa’s Journey: Finding Our Path, is interesting and elicits a sense of discovery. Readers of all ages will be intrigued. I envision this story as a part of a classroom literacy block. So, it will be important for young readers to get excited about a title and want to learn more.

The characters are exceptionally well written and are described with intricate details about their personality and sense of community. Although the main character Towa is important, the author makes it a point to write about the importance of each of the other characters and animals and their contributions throughout the story.

Readers of all ages will be drawn to the plot of the story and want to continue reading to discover the journey that unfolds as Towa and his community discover a new beginning and learn to navigate a new environment. The story is beautifully written and offers a new Indigenous Perspective.

Azella J. Humetewa, MBA-Ed

This manuscript has so much to offer the reader.  Joe is terrific at painting pictures with his beautiful words.  I could see every scene in my mind.  I think this story works for both children and adults.  First, it provides insight into the origin tales of the Pueblo peoples.  The story teaches children how to interact with people, animals and their environment in an inspiring yet fun way.  (I love the hummingbird.) It reminds the adults of what is really important in life:  taking care of each other, working with animals not against them, using only what you need and replacing what you can.  This is so crucial in the world today.  A story that educates, inspires and entertains is such a gift.

—Ricki Kresan (rskresan@gmail.com), retired Librarian

[As a librarian for a large Federal agency, one of my responsibilities was to evaluate books to be added to our collection.]

Already a master artist who incorporates Pueblo Values, welcoming and nurturing  attitudes  and culture, Joe Cajero has reached new cultural and artistic heights with his short story.  Especially during these challenging times, the story would be perfect for animation and bring much joy, entertainment  and enlightenment to both children and adults.   Joe has a remarkable storytelling ability which is always grounded in Pueblo beliefs and the importance of the entire environment  including animals, flowers and vegetation, and birds.  My favorite is the “Bear” although Hummingbird takes a close second place!    The characters are fascinating and well defined and in reading the journey of Towa, I felt like I was joining him for the entire exploration.  Joe has combined Pueblo history and folklore with fascinating character development as he shares Towa’s adventures with us.  The story is inspirational, spiritual  and uplifting and should be shared with the world!   

Joann J MacKenzie, CLU, ChFC, MBA, CDFA – The Financial Maestro (Yes, an original left brain person who appreciates the miracle of right brain magic!)

I have been interested in Native American cultures and have collected their associated art forms for close to 40 years. I first met Joe Cajero in the early 1990’s when he was a well known sculptor in clay (especially whimsical clay koshares) from Jemez Pueblo. What immediately struck me about Joe (and still does) was his enthusiasm in explaining the meaning of and inspiration for each of his pieces of work. Joe is a natural storyteller and always wants to explain to you the impact his Native American background has on his work.

Joe has mastered other forms of art during his long career and now is embarking on a new challenge – writing.

In reading Joe’s manuscript, entitled “Towa’s Journey”, Joe merges his storytelling skill with his deep understanding of Native culture to weave a story that can be understood by readers of all ages. “Towa’s Journey” is a story based on the historical beliefs of the Pueblo people of the Southwest. It describes the reverence that his ancestors had for nature and to their Creator. Through Joe’s words, a reader learns about the animals, vegetation, topography, weather and other environmental factors that impacted the lives of the earliest Pueblo people during their migration to the Southwest.

“Towa’s Journey” is a wonderful primer to a part of Native American culture and describes their belief system that more people need to understand and  emulate.                                                                                    

Scott Kresan   

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