This story is set in a time long ago, many generations before Columbus brought word to Europe that there was a land where indigenous people lived. This land would eventually be stolen from those native people and would become the United States of America. I refer to some of the children in this story as Native American, but this story is before America was America.

A courageous tribe of nineteen Native American children, between the ages of ten months and seventeen years old, along with other small clans of children from all four corners of the earth, embark on a daunting journey to the loose end of the rainbow.

Their parents, and the adults in their tribes, disappear in the night, when a mysterious fever sweeps across the earth. Their journey is difficult and sometimes dangerous. Paints-With-Words and White Eagle, both seventeen, lead the children.

Paints-With-Words and White Eagle have supernatural powers because they were born at the loose end of the rainbow. Together they lead the children on an epic quest. Hardship, injuries, an erupting volcano, and earthquakes challenge the children. Luckily, for the Tribe of the Innocent Ones, their two young leaders are resourceful and wise, and unexpected gallant allies emerge to help them during a harrowing battle with the fierce giant frog monster, Green Emperor.

The mysterious destination the Great Spirit guides them toward is the enchanting loose end of the rainbow, where they will fulfill their destiny, bringing not only their tribe together, but also the people of the world.

Note From D.B. Pacini-Christensen:

As a youth advocate, I've heard frustrated teenagers say that they wish their parents/guardians would just disappear. In The Journey To The Loose End of the Rainbow I grant that wish. Young characters suddenly realize that they must experience life without parents and without adult family members.

When I first decided to write this novel, I called a number of American Indian organizations and professors who specialize in Native studies. I emailed several organizations associated with American Indian tribes. I was seeking a knowledgeable consultant. I received little help. Most people passed on my request because they were too busy. Some felt they were not qualified to serve as a consultant. A few said that they did not want “another white person” writing a book that (they assumed) would portray American Indians as savages or as romanticized tragic figures.

I am a white woman, so what? I don't define myself solely by the color of my skin. This is a novel. When a young person settles down with this book, who I am is not relevant. I want readers to be swept into the world of the story. What matters is the message this story shares.

Without discouragement, I did research on my own. I read personal accounts of American Indian people and dozens of American Indian myths, legends, and handed down stories. I researched native horses, art, diet, religion, tribal politics, and ancient ways of life. I also studied other cultures, researching everything I wished to include in this story.

This novel is not New Age; it is old and ancient age. The tribe is named The Tribe of the Innocent Ones. The main characters are deliberate composites of several Native American tribes. For years I have felt that mainstream literature has rarely featured American Indian youth in a positive light. I feature them as an amalgamation so that American Indian youth from any tribe can feel honored by this book.

I have received some criticism for the romanticized names I have given to many of the characters. This is a fantasy YA novel. The names are intentionally enchanting.

I have received some criticism for having supernatural powers and magic in this fictional story. Some of my favorite books are The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkin, The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkin, The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame, Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis, A Wonder Book for Girls and Boys by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie, and Harry Potter by J.K. Rowlings. Naturally, The Journey To The Loose End Of The Rainbow has talking animals, fairies, unicorns, mermaids, universal knights, and giant frog monsters.

I loved my mother and my father. As parents they did the best they were equipped to do. Unfortunately, I was not taught many things that I should have been taught by my parents. I had to learn a lot on my own. Many adult people I met when I was a teenager and a young woman helped me, guided me, and taught me. I'm stronger and richer because of the difficulties I have endured, but also because those good people came into my life. I have a compassionate heart for people who have experienced difficult lives.

There are young people today who are not being taught many things that they should learn from their parents. These young people must learn on their own. I hope The Journey To The Loose End Of The Rainbow will inspire them to become men and women of excellence. I hope it will motivate them to treat all people with respect. I hope it will help them realize that they can be effective global citizens regardless of where they live. I hope it will help to instill in them a personal determination to productively take responsible stewardship of the earth.

I wrote this novel to encourage young people. If some people cannot embrace the story, that is fine with me. No book is for everyone. Some people object to my decision to put Native Americans in one group. They say that when writers put indigenous peoples into one clump that they make them invisible.

Yes, I do put Native Americans in one group; it is the group of humankind. In my opinion, no race is superior and no race has more specialness. In my opinion, no person can be free while clutching "specialness" in his or her hands. It is time to embrace being human together. We must help one another and this suffering earth. That is what we must teach our children.

Young people, please always remember that the blood in our veins is the same color. Don't allow anyone to define your creative art solely by the color of your skin. Don't be afraid to share your art with the world. Those who can receive your gift will. Those who can't; they won't. Don't let anyone silence you. You will always have critics. Do not worry about them.

A critic can only review the book he has read, not the one, which the writer wrote. Mignon McLaughlin

Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it. Mahatma Gandhi

To my husband Tim, thank you for your love, friendship, encouragement, sense of humor, and patience. I love you with all my heart.

To David Jonathan, Timothy Wayne Jr. and Joseph Brian --- thank you for being the rainbow colors in my heart. Also, thank you for our wonderful granddaughters.

To my friend Bernida Childers, thank you for being an invaluable story consultant for so much of my writing over the years. You have helped me bring fictional characters to life.

Uncle Armen and Aunt Georgia read this novel's manuscript over and over and over again. Their excitement for this story meant the world to me. I simply had to write Aunt Georgia into the text, and it delighted her so much that I did. Anders, a universal knight, has Aunt Georgia’s hair color, and like Aunt Georgia, he is, of course, Danish.

Charlotte gave excellent suggestions for character development. I am honored to have benefited from her expert advice.

My friend Arlo read this novel's manuscript three times, always with an eagle eye, and he was never cautious or shy about giving suggestions. Not having his insightful and enthusiastic opinions while I am writing is heartbreaking.

D.B. Pacini-Christensen is a vocalist and a published writer. She writes novels, novellas, short stories, poetry, songs, and literary/music reviews. She has a passion for photographing live performances. Many of her music photographs are on websites and in print publications. For more than a decade, she and her husband Tim have co-hosted a monthly open mic music showcase. They have also co-hosted numerous poetry showcases. In 2004 they started A Starry Night Productions.

Tim Christensen, a retired high school English teacher, is a guitarist, songwriter, vocalist, photographer, copy editor, graphic artist, and web designer.

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