Fire on the Mountain

A clever young shepherd boy uses his wits to gain a fortune for himself and his sister from a haughty rich man.

Challenged by his master to spend a bitter-cold night alone in the mountains, an Ethiopian boy bets his future that he will succeed. And he does, warmed only by the sight of a distant fire. When his master refuses to recognize the boy's victory, the boy and his sister decide to beat the rich man at his own game.

Publishers Weekly

Young Alamayu's bravery goes unrewarded by a selfish rich man until the boy's clever sister puts things to rights. "Exceptional watercolors of Ethiopian mountains and mountain people quicken Kurtz's revision of a well-known tale," said PW. Ages 4-8. (Jan.)

Amy June Bates has illustrated many books for children, including Hillary Rodham Clinton: Dreams Taking Flight by Kathleen Krull, The Dog Who Belonged to No One by Amy Hest and You Can Do It! by Tony Dungy. She graduated from Brigham Young University and now lives in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, with her husband and three children. Illustrating books has always been her dream.