When you are 3 1/4 inches tall and thoughtless humans destroy your home, you want revenge. One Hopneg's journey in search of payback brings him something bigger. "Downriver" was written for teens but speaks to everyone who wants to be able to see those things we usually can't. Get your Signed copy today! Other options: Buy your copy! Amazon Amazon.co.uk Froogle Barnes & Noble.com You can read a review of "Downriver" at readerviews.com, or read an interview with the author if you would like. The latest review is in at BreeniBooks! Excerpt It started as an uncomfortable feeling. Not really an event, but not quite a dream, the far off rumble snuck up gently. Popey didn’t wake up right away. Instead, he flinched over on his side and under his grass pillow and then flat on his front as if he was rolling to get away. But it didn’t work. The rumble finally got him. Sitting up, Popey realized that he and everything he owned was now thumping up and down, and violently. He threw open his mouth to gasp in a breath of cool air. Instead, found that his heart had been thrown up into his throat, pulsing wildly to the throbbing beat of the closer and closer rumble.

Tao and Downriver
Drawing on lessons from Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching, Downriver is the story of a transformational journey in response to a life-changing event. Author Erik Hare represents coming-of-age lessons through metaphors and characters that both children and adults can understand, taking us through the magical realms of the River Flats, Piketown and Fountain Cave.

Downriver explores themes of identity, power, ownership, and “finding one’s place” in a rapidly changing world. We travel with Popey, the main character, to learn more about the magic of the world through experience and observation, rather than through academic knowledge or just reading the written word. Popey’s defiance and determination calls forth our own reflections on the need for self-actualization through our unique choices in life paths.

The characters in Downriver at once familiar and memorable, illustrating the ways in which relationships influence our choices and help us see ourselves more clearly. Landscapes and locales provide the anchoring framework for the story, each describing beauty as it is found throughout even the most difficult personal struggles. In the end, we arrive at a sense of peace for the journeys ahead.

Small is Big
"Downriver" begins with the race of the Hopnegs, diminutive 3-inch tall people, who like Humans
are intelligent but fear Human machines as "demons". One of these "demons" lives up to its
reputation when it runs over and completely destroys the house of the Hopneg, Popey. He barely
escapes with his life in his pajamas, and the lack of possessions turns him into a Punk, or a Hopneg
without the magic of ownership. Seeking to warn the people of his nearby village, he travels to the
village to deliver his message to its leader, Rouger. After delivering his message, Rouger, decides
based on the wisdom of the Book, to move the entire village to a different location. Popey and
another Hopneg, Rod, rally the town to destroy the "demon" by putting grass into its exhaust. But
this fails as the Humans simply remove the grass. Having failed, the Hopnegs realize that they must
go upriver, away from the "Giants". Popey, however, decides to go downriver in his quest to
discover knowledge of the Humans and their mysterious magic. Not far into Popey’s trail, he is met
by a Traveler called Shajee who is experienced in the way of the world and the Humans. For
instance, Shajee not only knows things about the physical Human world and how to get around in it,
he also has an understanding of Human psychology which, in my opinion, is in a way somewhat
better than our understanding. As they journey through the Human cities, Popey and you, the
reader, get a new perspective on these "Giants", or Humans who do everything bigger than
themselves.
"Downriver" is for ages 12 and up, especially those who liked the "Borrowers" book series. Erik
Hare’s writing style is new and unique, and refreshingly different. He gives vivid descriptions of
certain aspects of both the physical and personal persuasion that set the mood in a way unlike any
other. Gradually, I became engrossed in the story. "Downriver" is an interesting, funny and deep
book that will be enjoyed by many.

Ghostwriter: Thumbs up!
Downriver is a heartwarming tale of the Hopnegs, a tribe of small human-like beings, living in the world of giants. After losing his home and possessions because of the “human’s machinery”, Popey decides something has to be done. After warning the village leader, he and his sidekick, Rod, start their venture to stop the “demons”, but their attempt fails. Popey chooses to continue his quest, wanting to learn all he can of these other beings, meeting the all-knowing Shajee along the way. Together they travel to the other man’s land, learning valuable lessons along the way.

I enjoyed this “little” tale. It had all the makings of the next popular movie, enchanting both children and adults, kind of reminding me of the beloved little hobbits.

Thumbs up to you, Erik, for having such a creative mind!