Customer Reviews

Ransom's Mark: A Story Based on the Life of the Pioneer Olive Oatman (Daughters of the Faith Series)

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Olive Oatman is thirteen years old in the fall of 1850 when her father decides the family will leave their Illinois farm and go west to California. Olive, her parents, and her six siblings join a wagon train west, but have trouble from the start. Their leader turns out to be unreliable, and changes their destination. The wagon train splits several times, until the Oatmans eventually end up on their own in dangerous Indian territory, because her father is unwilling to wait at the safety of a village for another wagon train to join. Olive fears the worst will happen, and she is right. Renegade Indians attack the Oatmans and massacre most of the family, sparing only Olive and her seven-year-old sister, Mary Ann, who they take captive. Olive struggles to keep up hope during her captivity and to adjust to her difficult new life, all the while trying her best to protect frail Mary Ann.

This was an excellent historical novel for young readers that brought to life the true story of Olive Oatman. Readers who enjoy historical fiction, particularly those who have an interest in this time period or in Indian captive stories, are sure to enjoy this book.

This story is filled with details about pioneers, Indians, and the geography of the land and yet it doesn't overbalance the tale of young Olive. This is so well written the reader doesn't realize all the information the writer is pouring into her head. I was so caught up in the story that I found myself crying through the last pages. It is rare that I find a book I like so much. It is going on my gift list for all birthdays and holidays this upcoming year. I have lots of young friends to share this with.

The information in this book is interesting and well-written. Although it could be classed as 'historical fiction,' it is factually much more accurate than most juvenile historical fiction. I guess the events were exciting enough to not need to embellish it any.

Since this is part of a 'Christian' series, I would suggest that readers go beyond just this book. For example, in the book actually written by Olive Oatman (with Royal B. Stanton), one part that will likely have small tears coming is her description of little Mary Ann's death by starvation. I believe that everyone is given a 'mission' by God to complete in his or her life, and when that mission is accomplished, He takes them Home. Mary Ann's passing was so different, so glorious, compared to that of the other children in the village, also dying of starvation, that she fascinated the Mojave Indians. As she approached death, she clearly sang the Sabbath songs she'd learned before her trip. It was so beautiful the natives became captivated by what It was that gave her such peace, even joy, as the approach of death. One could say that her little face shown, reflecting the love of Jesus to those heathen people. This is touched upon in this book, but much more beautiful in the original. Mary Ann was always a delightful little girl (learning to read by the age of four; reading the Bible through before she turned six), even to many of the Indians (the chief's wife even took their seed corn to try to save her) that it is clear her whole life was meant to exemplify the Light of Jesus to those people.

But, it is listed as a children's book (ages 9-12). The print is so small that my pre-teen grandchildren's eyes just glaze over at the thought of reading it. A high school teen might read it, but it is simply not printed for young readers.

Wendy Lawton's ability to paint vivid pictures with words is a rare ability and this is Wendy's best example so far. I have read 3 of the 4 books written by Ms. Lawton. Ransom's Mark is easy to read and interesting. Wendy's writing keeps adults and children alike interested in the story. After reading this book I wanted to do more research into Olive Oatman's life. Like Wendy's other books this one paints a picture of herstory(women in history) not often covered in the classroom.

Title: RANSOM'S MARK
Author: Wendy Lawton
Reviewer: Peggy Phifer
Publisher: Moody Publishers
ISBN: 0-8024-3638-2 / [money amount]
Genre: Children/Youth Fiction

When Olive Oatman's pa gets the urge to move west to California, he packs his family and belongings into a covered wagon and they leave their home in Fulton, Illinois. Olive is the third oldest child of six, with baby number seven due along the way. Olive and her brothers and sisters dream of the coming adventure and excitement. But there was no way they could have imagined what the journey would really be like on the Santa Fe Trail.

Trouble begins early when the wagon-master starts to change the plans all had agreed on when they signed up. Eventually, the train splits in two, and Olive's wagon goes with a smaller group to continue on the Santa Fe Trail. Gradually, other wagons drop off at the towns along the way, until only the Oatman wagon is left to continue on. Then, a renegade band of Yavapai Indians attacks the lone wagon, and Olive and her little sister Mary Ann are captured.

Olive and her sister are eventually ransomed from the Yavapai by the beautiful daughter of the chief of a Mohave tribe, but her life is still hard. Branded with a Mohave tattoo, Olive struggles to understand. How can this be a mark of God's love?

This true story of Olive Oatman is one of the most inspiring stories of courage I've read in a long time. Wendy Lawton has treated this story with great discretion and sensitivity to make it readable for her target age-group of 8-12-year olds. Yet she has managed to bring out the stark reality of the dangers the westward pioneers faced.

Like the other three books in this series, "Courage to Run" [Harriet Tubman], "The Tinker's Daughter" [Mary Bunyan, daughter of John Bunyan], and "Almost Home," [Mary Chilton, of the Mayflower], in "Ransom's Mark" Wendy Lawton has written another classic story of "Daughters of the Faith." I highly recommend these books.

Peggy Phifer ©2003

The reading horizon just got brighter because Wendy Lawton has brought history to light again. In Ransons Mark author Wendy Lawton adds to her Daughters of the Faith Series by illuminating the life of Olive Oatman, pioneer of the 1850s.

Olive Oatman at thirteen embodied the strength and perseverance needed for days of the Santa Fe Trail. Driven by elusive dreams, men left it all and placed families at the mercy of the elements as well as renegade Indian tribes just to gain gold and adventure. Olive Oatman was a member of one such family. Ransoms Mark is a vivid portrayal of poor choices and Gods ability to use whomever He chooses to redeem the consequences.

Lawtons writing is defined by careful research, strong story line, and vivid snapshots. The author complements her historical scenes with a glossary that further acquaints the reader with the vocabulary of the time. Olive Oatmans legacy breathes again under the influence of Wendy Lawtons pen.

One cannot refuse this writing. Handing the reader a strong but rich cup of coffee, Lawton encourages you to linger for another long sip. Savor Ransoms Mark, another unforgettable drink from the cup of history and Daughters of the Faith Series.

Until I read this book, I was unfamiliar with the struggles of Olive Oatman; but as usual, Wendy Lawton takes a historical figure and makes her as real as she was in her day.

This story expresses the doubts and fears of a young girl who, due in part to her father's impetuous nature, is left in circumstances that force her to find to her own faith. She finds no easy answers; she finds few answers of any sort, most of the time. This fact makes her human and brings her to life once again in this well-researched biographical novel.