Kitty Muse Book Reviews rated it 5 of 5 stars
The death of her mother, a stay in the hospital for her grandmother, and now her dad is missing. Tala thought life was difficult enough, dodging her nosy neighbor and dealing with her little brother, Dason. But this…

What has happened to Tom? He has had a difficult time accepting the death of his wife, Anjij, and does have a tendency to disappear. Susan, their well-intentioned neighbor, feels it is her duty to alert the authorities when he is gone for these long spells. Tala resents Susan’s intrusions into their lives, but there isn’t much she can do about it.

Until she is thirteen, which will be in a few days. Then–FREEDOM from nosy neighbors and people saying she’s too young to be on her own, caring for her brother.

But this time, Tom’s absence seems different. It concerns Tala enough that she takes off after him, or where she believes he might have gone. Annoyingly, her brother insists on coming along, and he is too clever for her to leave him alone, where he can go tell on her to Susan.

After hiding from bear poachers, who seem to have been a part of Tom’s disappearance, the two siblings take off into the woods towards the top of the mountain.

A night in the rain, sheltered by an unseen presence, is followed by the discovery of a huge black feather beside the young searchers. Was it Culloo, the mighty black bird of the mountain, who had hidden them under his wing while they slept through the storm?

Ever on the move, ever followed by…something…, they reach a spot where the family has camped many times, only to find their dad in big trouble. But who led the children there? Was it the Stone People of legend? The only clues were the smell of pipe smoke and the occasional glimpse of something large in the woods.

In the end, Tala learns an important lesson, one that changes her outlook toward those who only have the best of intentions for her.



I drew a nice, hot bath, intending on reading a few chapters of this book. I ended up getting out of tepid water over an hour later, with the entire book read. It was that enthralling.

With a simple cast and few changes of scenery, Ms. Cyr has created a universe of stunning beauty. The descriptions of the characters and their relationship with nature were so well-written that I found myself deep into their lives, hoping and despairing in turns.
The forest through which Tala and Dason fled was so vivid in its telling that I had no trouble imagining the beauty of the woods and the rocky terrain.

Written for the tween to middle high school, this book would be enjoyable for all.

The one thing that stands out in my mind the most is how the author wrote in such a way as to show the interdependent, intertwining relationships of all things. From the trees supporting their fallen comrades, to the dependence of people on people, her message showed through plainly: We all depend on each other, and without that, we become weak (such as how Tom seemed to abandon his children after his wife’s death, and how the bear poacher had no respect for his surroundings).

I highly recommend this book rom the bottom of my heart.
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Apr 08, 2013Mrs. D. rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition
The thrilling adventure story of two young siblings, written with passion and love.

As the daughter of a forest ranger, I easily related to the two courageous children, Tala and Dason, who faced dangerous situations while looking for their father in the forest, which was full of danger and enemies. Left without their mother, the young children were about to be taken by child protective services. They desperately needed to find their father, who had not come home.

To avoid being sent to a foster home, the brother and sister leave their home to search for their father, threatened by hunters, who broke the law. While looking for their father, they find themselves in Culloo country. Remembering their father’s story about the giant bird living on top of the mountain, the children were scared. Lovingly taking care of each other, the two spent the night in the dark forest, afraid of Culloo and the Stone People. Through their dangerous journey, they believed Culloo had more protective power than they thought. They understood that the Culloo’s feathers guided them away from danger and showed them the way to their father.

This is an exciting story, very well paced, rounded, and nicely connected to the spiritual life of Native Americans. The author beautifully describes the nature of the forest and mysterious places, which easily attracts the reader. Murielle Cyr used very delicate but descriptive language while trying to teach children about preserving nature, respecting spirits and all living things. Reading this story, I felt as if I were present in each scene.

This story teaches young readers about Native American customs, which gives this book a mysterious and intriguing feeling. The background information about the spiritual traditions of Native Americans makes the children’s adventure more thrilling and interesting. This story also has a sweet touch. I felt as if the mother’s love was watching over her children all night.

Overall, it is a fantastic book for young readers who like real adventures with a mysterious twist. As a grown-up, I enjoyed reading this story as much as if I were a child. It is a wonderful book for slightly older children, who have outgrown picture books.

Feb 24, 2013Christoph Fischer rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of

"Cullo" by Murielle Cyr may have been written for young adults but it has a great appeal for adults, too. On the surface it is an adventure story but it covers many other issues and can be seen as a universally valid reflection on men's relationship to (Mother) nature.
The story concerns two children in search of their missing father and the sometimes scary situations that this mission brings for them in the wild. The siblings are afraid to lose their father and be taken away by childhood services since their mother has died.
The children's respectful attitude towards nature is reflected in the protective figure of a mythical bird called Cullo who the children believe is looking after them.
The book is a refreshing take on new age themes combined with the more traditional subjects for young adult fiction such as adventure and family issues.
The children themselves are lovely characters, charmingly written and instantly likeable. This is a promising first novel that I wish had been around when I was that age.

Mar 24, 2013P.J. LaRue rated it 5 of 5 stars · review

I had such fun reading Culloo! It is a tale about two children and their missing father. The children set out to find their father, who is a trail guide, and come across poachers along the way. They must find their father and elude the poachers before they are put into foster care. Ms. Cyr incorporates customs from the children’s heritage allowing them to learn their meaning during the adventure. The book is the perfect length for young readers who have passed the picture book age but aren’t ready for young adult yet.

Mar 24, 2013Barbara Mojica rated it 5 of 5 stars · review

Cullo is an adventure story that will appeal to tweens and young adult readers. A brother and sister are in danger of being removed from their home by child protective services. Their father disappears and they must find him quickly. The search takes them to the forest where they must learn survival skills. A large bird called Cullo becomes their protector. Will they be able to find their father and avoid the poachers who are tracking them? This is a well written turn the page book. Children will also learn a lot about Native American culture and folklore.

Review by: TK Wade on Aug. 23, 2013 : 5 out of 5 stars

I really liked this story a lot. The author does a brilliant job portraying children in a very dire situation. The mystical aspects of this story is subtle which I believe makes the impression all the more powerful. I found myself on the edge of my seat for most of it. I highly recommend this story!

Melissa rated it 5 of 5 stars


I definitely enjoyed this book! A short, quick read, I found myself easily able to identify and relate to Tala and Dason. At first, Tala seemed a bit old for her age, but once you begin to understand more of her background, it seems perfectly in place and reasonable. It’s a great example story for so many things. The adventure aspect was great – I feel it was a good read, even for me, and don’t feel it would be too scary for a younger reader. I also loved the positive examples it showed of sibling bonding and teamwork. I also love the way it incorporated Native American legends and presented a positive, non-stereotypical view of Native American culture. I think part of the reason why I connected so well with this book is that sense of wanting to explore and be independent. You can find that all throughout this book. Overall, a great read, for anyone, adult or teen, looking to escape for a few hours. The characters will grow on you like they grew on me