Indian Captive: The Story of Mary Jemison [Paperback]

Lois Lenski (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: Trophy Newbery

In this classic frontier adventure, Lois Lenskireconstructs the real life story of Mary Jemison, who was captured in a raid as young girl and raised amongst the Seneca Indians. Meticulously researched and illustrated with many detailed drawings, this novel offers an exceptionally vivid and personal portrait of Native American life and customs.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

In addition to illustrating the first four Betsy-Tacy books, Lois Lenski (1893-1974) was the 1946 Newberry Medal winning author of Strawberry Girl.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (February 18, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064461629
• ISBN-13: 978-0064461627
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (80 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #45,534 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #12 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Multicultural Stories > Native North & South Americans
  • #15 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Biographies > United States
  • #17 in Books > Children's Books > Travel & Cultures > Multicultural Stories > Native North & South Americans

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars PUTTING DOWN ROOTS OF THE HEART, March 31, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Indian Captive: The Story of Mary Jemison (Library Binding)

I have enjoyed Lois Lenski's books since I was a girl back in the 50's, but this is one of her best. Based on a true life narrative, INDIAN CAPTIVE chronicles the psychological journey from white girl to a young Seneca woman. In fact Mary Jemison (kidnapped at 15) became known, respected and loved as the White Woman of the Genesee. Lenski recreates her struggle to maintain her English heritage in the face of Native American beliefs and traditions--all depicted honestly, fairly, without bias to either side in this 18th century culture-clash.

Lenski devotes much time to research each of her books--usually about a different rural area of America. Her excellent b/w illustrations enhance our reading enjoyment and appreciation for the material culture of the Senecas--one of the Five Nations under the Iroquois banner.

During her first two years of captivity (as a replacement for a dead clansman), Molly recalls her parents' last words to her when she and a neighbor boy were given moccasins and roughly marched off (before her entire family was butchered on the trail). Her pa assured her that her golden hair would endear her to the Indians; in fact she was called Corn Tassel. She also kept her ma's words in her heart: to be brave, to be flexible and accept her situation with grace; to practice her English in secret and never forget her name, her family or her Bible teachings.

Molly's loyalties were tested many times over the years, for she hated the thought of becoming an Indian. Yet can a 12-year-old girl (Lenski makes her younger) live long in an emotional vacuum? Respect, gratitude and friendship gradually slip into her heart despite herself. Will she ever relinquish her dream to escape back to white civilization? Set against the backdrop of the French and Indian War in 1758, this story is very readable, although much of the "action" takes place in Molly's mind and heart. Girls will enjoy this tale of forced adoption and culture shock, for Molly is very real and vulnerable when she is ripped away from her home and Pennsylvania lifestyle. This book touches the heart.(For more reading about culture clash, I suggest the LYON Saga,a series by M.L. Stainer, about the lost colony of Roanoak.)

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brings back childhood memories, January 15, 2001

By 

"joyinbooks" (Lansing, MI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Indian Captive: The Story of Mary Jemison (Library Binding)

I can remember pulling this book out of the library in elementary school many many times. I just loved reading the story of Mary Jemison. Now that I am adult, I am very happy to be able to add this book to my collection. It is a story that is simple enough for children to grasp, but emotionally-gripping enough to keep adults reading. I believe it is an honest story. It explains much about how the Indians lived at the time, as compared to the somewhat more modern experiences that Mary had at home. It explains the ways of the Indians and chronicles the violence of the time, but retains the humanity of these people and what they believed. The reader learns all these things through Mary's eyes, and lives through her grief at the loss of her family and all that was familiar to her. Then, slowly, how she comes to befriend and even love her new Indian family. I would recommend this book highly to every child to get a good feel of the history of the Indians and their beliefs.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Captured By The Seneca, October 17, 2001

By 

Maryam (Chicago) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Indian Captive: The Story of Mary Jemison (Paperback)

Mary (Molly) Jemison lived a normal life on her farm in Pennsylvania where her family harvested corn. Her father didn't believe that Indians would ever come to their home as their neighbors said, but one day that is exactly what happened. Molly was having a normal day when a band of Indians came. Everyone in Molly's family was captured. Molly and her family had to walk for miles on end. Finally they stopped at a place where Molly was seperated from her family and was being taken with the Indians to become one of them. It was hard for Molly to adapt to her surroundings and she missed her family greatly. The Indians gave Molly the name, Corn Tassel, because of her long yellow hair. Molly was depressed at first and tried to run away a multiple of times. This book definitely a 5 star rating and it never got tedious.