The Native American masks of the Pacific Northwest form a subtle backdrop for this book about coming to terms with grief. A young Native American boy has a maple tree that he particularly loves. The tree shows him wondrous things--a hummingbird's nest with tiny eggs and "golden leaves and winged seeds." Then a fierce storm topples the old maple, leaving the boy bereft. His uncle suggests that they capture the spirit of the tree by carving a wooden mask. As uncle and nephew work, the boy tells stories of the tree, and the uncle shares stories of the community. Once the mask is complete, the boy feels the tree lives on.
