The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 105, July 2001 - April, 2002 Page: 364

Southwestern Historical Quarterly

analysis of the archaeological remains excavated by author Donny L.
Hamilton at Granado Cave in 1978.
Hamilton begins with a brief overview of the geology and environment
of the Granado Cave area and reviews previous archaeological investiga-
tions. Then he and other researchers present detailed analyses of the
burials and other material remains found in the cave, as well as the results
of radiocarbon dating. From these findings, he reconstructs the subsis-
tence patterns and burial practices of these Native Americans, whom he
identifies as a distinct group that was pushed into the environment by sur-
rounding peoples. He proposes that they should be represented by a new
archaeological phase, thus helping to clarify the poorly understood late
prehistory of the Trans-Pecos. This book is available for $55, hardcover,
also from University of Texas Press.
Melinda Rice has authored three engaging books for young readers in
the series Lone Star Heroines. Secrets in the Sky is set during World War II
in Sweetwater, where twelve-year-old Bethany befriends Women Air Force
Service Pilots who come to the small town. Eleven-year-old Isabelina is the
heroine of Messenger on the Battlefield, which relates the tale of one family's
struggle during the Texas Revolution to decide whether to fight for their
Mexican heritage or for their new homeland. Fire on the Hillside concerns
the struggles of a thirteen-year-old German girl named Katherine. As set-
tiers and Comanches begin peace talks, she investigates the mysterious
fires in the hills nearby her new home of Fredericksburg.
The series brings to life real events in Texas history and shows young
readers how girls living during those times experienced and even con-
tributed to dramatic events. Each book in the series includes a chapter of
background stories and pictures of the actual people who lived them. Or-
der these books (or titles from the Lone Star Heroes series) for $8.95
each, paper, from Republic of Texas Press at 1-800/229-4949 or http://
www. wordware.com/rep_tex.

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