Legend of the Petoskey Stone »

Recounts the life of Petosegay, an Ottawa Indian chief, who gave his name to the small town in northern Michigan--Petoskey--where a unique stone can be found along its shores.

Beverley Fahey - Children's Literature

On the shores of northern Michigan there is a fossil unique to that area. This is the story of the man for whom the fossil is named and the legend that lives on to this day. According to legend, in 1787 a son was born to an Odawa chief and he named the child Petosegay, which meant "rays of the rising sun." The boy grew to be a fine man who was a skilled hunter and trader. In time he was able to purchase land near the river he loved so much and Petosegay was a happy man. It was not long before pioneers came to settle and a town grew along the shore. Because Petosegay was so respected and beloved, the town was named Petoskey. As people walked the shore they picked up a special stone that seemed to hold within it the "rays of the rising sun" and they named the stone a Petoskey stone in honor of the man whose father predicted great things for him. Today people still search for this stone that carries with it a hopeful promise for a bright tomorrow and is a reminder of a man "who gave his name to the land he loved." A blend of history and legend, this is a rich and unusual story that reaches far beyond its native Michigan. Handsome paintings bathed in the yellow of the sun are vibrantly detailed and bring to life the dense forests and flowing rivers of a time long past. For those lucky enough to travel to Michigan and find a Petoskey Stone, directions for cleaning and polishing your find are included. 2004, Sleeping Bear Press, Ages 9 to 12.