A Circle Unbroken [Hardcover]

Sollace Hotze (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1988 | Age Level: 11 and up

Captured by a roving band of Sioux Indians and brought up as the chief's daughter, Rachel is recaptured by her white family and finds it difficult to adjust, as she longs to return to the tribe.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Set in 1845, this is an exceptionally moving first novel about a young white woman, Rachel, raised among Oglala Sioux. Kidnapped and raped as a 10-year-old by renegades, then lovingly adopted by a Sioux chief and his wife, Rachel is again taken captive at the beginning of the story: bounty hunters are taking her "home" to her settler family. Her father, an austere Christian minister, expects her to return to the ways of her race, but Rachel fears this will slowly destroy her. Others in the town grow to love her, but no one, except for her little brother Daniel, respects her beliefs. Their ignorance of Indian lifeand hatred of what they know little aboutis complete. Despite minor over-writing, this book shows remarkable technical skill. Hotze evokes immediate sympathy for Rachel; a sequel about her return to the plains would be welcome. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-9 Little red-haired Rachel Porter had been captured, abused, and raped by a renegade brave in an 1838 raid on a fort, then rescued by a kindly chief of the Dakota Sioux and raised as his daughter Kata Wi (Burning Sun). In 1845, at 17, with only blurred memories of her early childhood, she is recaptured and sent down the Missouri to her family, now strangers. There she finds a father who is still angry and unable to forgive what happened during the raid when two of his children were stolen and his wife died. He burns Rachel's Indian clothing and sternly demands that she put away all thoughts of her time with the Sioux. Rebellious and unhappy, she struggles through a hard year to an understanding of who she is and where she truly belongs. Everywhere she finds walls and viewpoints that no longer fit her spirit, and at last she convinces her father that she must be allowed to return to her Sioux family. Rachel-Kata Wi is an extremely likable heroine. Her story moves quickly, filled more with people and their relationship than great detail of place or time, and is always grounded in her own growth and feelings. Involving historical fiction, with powerful emotional impact. Sara Miller, White Plains Public Library, N.Y.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 11 and up
  
• Hardcover: 202 pages
• Publisher: Clarion Books; 1St Edition edition (October 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0899197337
• ISBN-13: 978-0899197333
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 4.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,089,473 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A yielding, understanding spirit triumphs, October 28, 2007

By 

Gerald L. Johnson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Circle Unbroken (Paperback)

A young girl, taken and raised by plains Indians, is captured and returned to her Christian family. Her struggle to assimilate to her family's ways is central to the story. Along with her failures in her struggle, comes insight and the eventual realization she must return to her Indian people if she is to survive. But her father, a pastor, is determined that she stay and adjust. How this conflict is resolved provides a gentle lesson in the power of mutual yielding and understanding. This is a wonderful story that can be read on more than one level.

3.0 out of 5 stars I READ THIS BOOK, AND IT'S OKAY, March 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: A Circle Unbroken (Paperback)

This book is kind of strange, but the story is very sad and it has good, strong high points. I don't neccesarily recommend this book, but it's an interesting experience as well as educational, and mind-capturing

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good, and factual but with no emotion, February 12, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: A Circle Unbroken (Hardcover)

The main charicter seemed to be made out of stone, not flesh. She showed no feelings throughout the whole story. Even though her life brought her many challenges and sorrowes, she did not even bat an eye. She was not a believable charicter,and i was dissapointed by the novel over all.