The Double Life of Pocahontas [Hardcover]

Jean Fritz (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up

"This book dispels myths and describes with immediacy the life of the girl whose active conscience made her a pawn, exploited by her own people and the white world . . ."--Publishers Weekly.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-7–Jean Fritz's award-winning book (Putnam, 1983) provides an historically accurate account of the life of Pocahontas. The favored daughter of Chief Powhatan, Pocahontas finds herself torn between two worlds when the British settlers come to Jamestown and she becomes a link between the two diverse cultures. In a move engineered to save the life of Captain John Smith, Pocahontas performs a ritual that marks Smith as her kinsman—a relationship she honors with devotion but that he does not truly understand. Her father's appetite for weapons and the British need for food and desire for wealth led to multiple conflicts in which the princess was used as a pawn by both sides. Pocahontas left no written record of her experiences, and much of the information presented in the book has been gleaned from Smith's journals. While there is very little dialogue, narrator Melissa Hughes does an excellent job of varying her voice to express emotion and hold listeners' interest. This well-written account of Pocahontas's life will educate youngsters.–Deanna Romriell, Salt Lake City Public Library, UT
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

From AudioFile

Jean Fritz built her reputation writing well-researched, nonromanticized books of history for children. This biography of Pocahontas, originally published in the early 1980s, shows that her reputation is well earned. Through careful use of historical documentation and clear identification of supposition from fact, the listener is given a balanced look at the first interaction of English settlers and Native Americans. Melissa Hughes reads the story with a tone of authority and compassion for all of the characters. She enlivens Pocahontas, a girl curious about these strangers who have come to her land. The listener comes away with admiration for a young woman, a pawn of both sides, who tried to bridge two cultures. N.E.M. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Juvenile; 1St Edition edition (October 28, 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399210164
• ISBN-13: 978-0399210167
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,347,503 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

"The question I am most often asked," Jean Fritz says, "is how do I find my ideas? The answer is: I don't. Ideas find me. A character in history will suddenly step right out of the past and demand a book. Generally people don't bother to speak to me unless there's a good chance that I'll take them on." Throughout almost four decades of writing about history, Jean Fritz has taken on plenty of people, starting with George Washington in The Cabin Faced West (1958). Since then, her refreshingly informal historical biographies for children have been widely acclaimed as "unconventional," "good-humored," "witty," "irrepressible," and "extraordinary."In her role as biographer, Jean Fritz attempts to uncover the adventures and personalities behind each character she researches. "Once my character and I have reached an understanding," she explains, "then I begin the detective work--reading old books, old letters, old newspapers, and visiting the places where my subject lived. Often I turn up surprises and of course I pass these on." It is her penchant for making distant historical figures seem real that brings the characters to life and makes the biographies entertaining, informative, and filled with natural child appeal.An original and lively thinker, as well as an inspiration to children and adults, Jean Fritz is undeniably a master of her craft. She was awarded the Regina Medal by the Catholic Library Association, presented with the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award by the American Library Association for her "substantial and lasting contribution to children's literature," and honored with the Knickerbocker Award for Juvenile Literature, which was presented by the New York State Library Association for her body of work.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book, October 19, 2000

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Double Life of Pocahontas (Hardcover)

The Double Life of Pocahontas is, I think, a very interesting book for those who like Indians,wars,and mixed emotion stories. I recommendthis book for people ages 10 and up. I do this because I think anyone under ten might not understand some of the parts of the book. This book as you might of guessed is about Pocahontas and her life. It starts right before the settlers come. Along the way you'll learn some interesting facts about the Indians and the settlers. First Pocahontas saves John Smith from being killed. He's adopted into the tribe. Then John Smith goes back to London. Things then start to fall apart. The Indians attacked the settlers and the colony falls apart. Pocahontas is then captured and is being converted into Christian. Her father never trys to save her. She marries and is taken to England to met the King and Queen. She wants to stay in England. I won't tell you what happens you'll have to find out for yourself. The author,Jean Fritz,did very good research on this book. If I could I would read it again. This book is great read it now!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars AN INDIAN WOMAN IN TWO WORLDS, April 25, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Double Life of Pocahontas (Paperback)

This slim volume can easily be read in one sitting--which should appeal to elementary children. It presents much information about the life of this remarkable Native America woman (beyond Disney). Fritz presents both sides (natives and settlers) with dignity and justice. She uses journals and diaries as sources for historical accuracy--filling in the rest with such statements as, "Pocahontas probably would have done this or said that." Her deductions are based strictly on the recorded details of Pocahontas' life.

So whom did she really marry and whatever happened to her son? Why did John Smith avoid seeing her in London? How did this modest young woman of quiet dignity and a deep personsl sense of morality conquer London Society? How could she reconcile her tribe's values and appreciation for nature when confronted by the sham, greed and arrogance of White Man's culture? This book is a concise but interesting read about an Ambassadress of Peace.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars POCAHONTAS, October 19, 2000

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Double Life of Pocahontas (Hardcover)

The Double Life of Pocahontas was an excellent book. I enjoyed the part when the settlers arrived in Virginia. All of the Natives attacked them. I would suggest this book to good readers of all ages. Jean Fritz did an excellent jod writing the book. She gave many details about the main events. If I were you, I would definatly read The Double Life of Pocahontas.