Captured by Indians: The Life of Mary Jemison

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful selection for a school book report.
Review: It can be such a battle to get a junior high or high school student to write a book report. I've found that if you help the student to choose a book that is interesting enough to keep him drawn in until the end of the story, the job is much easier. "Captured by Indians: The Life of Mary Jemison" is a fabulous example of the many, many enjoyable--and suitable--books that are available to the young reader. History is full of fascinating stories, and our own country's history provides so many stories worth reading. That Mary Jemison was a real person and not just a character created by a writer makes this book an even easier "sell" to the student. It should be emphasized that Karen Zeinert's edition of the transcript of Mary Jemison's life story, which she told in 1823, has many excellent features. For example, Zeinert includes an extremely helpful timeline incorporating the major events of Mary's life with major historical events (dates treaties were signed, etc.), which enhances the reader's understanding of the time period. Also included are hand-drawn maps, a few photographs, several (period) hand-drawn portraits of people who are part of the story. A very helpful glossary of terms appears at the end of the book--another item most useful to today's young readers. Note to teachers and/or parents: Zeinert has carefully edited out the sensationalism that was very much a part of the original work, and she points out in the "Background" section that author James Seaver was hired in 1823 to interview Mary Jemison in order to produce a "captive story"--a popular genre of the period--and that captive stories were often used as propaganda against the Native Americans, who were normally portrayed as savages in such works. Finally, a personal note: I found it utterly fascinating that in 1823 Mary Jemison made a most prophetic statement: "He (her son John) fell victim to the use of liquor, a poison that will soon exterminate the Indian tribes in this part of the country." Although she couldn't read or write, Mary Jemison was an intelligent, strong, and very brave woman. Her story is one that is worth reading. She shouldn't be an obscure figure in American history. She should be more widely known. Recommend this book to the young people around you!

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful selection for a school book report.
Review: It can be such a battle to get a junior high or high school student to write a book report. I've found that if you help the student to choose a book that is interesting enough to keep him drawn in until the end of the story, the job is much easier. "Captured by Indians: The Life of Mary Jemison" is a fabulous example of the many, many enjoyable--and suitable--books that are available to the young reader. History is full of fascinating stories, and our own country's history provides so many stories worth reading. That Mary Jemison was a real person and not just a character created by a writer makes this book an even easier "sell" to the student. It should be emphasized that Karen Zeinert's edition of the transcript of Mary Jemison's life story, which she told in 1823, has many excellent features. For example, Zeinert includes an extremely helpful timeline incorporating the major events of Mary's life with major historical events (dates treaties were signed, etc.), which enhances the reader's understanding of the time period. Also included are hand-drawn maps, a few photographs, several (period) hand-drawn portraits of people who are part of the story. A very helpful glossary of terms appears at the end of the book--another item most useful to today's young readers. Note to teachers and/or parents: Zeinert has carefully edited out the sensationalism that was very much a part of the original work, and she points out in the "Background" section that author James Seaver was hired in 1823 to interview Mary Jemison in order to produce a "captive story"--a popular genre of the period--and that captive stories were often used as propaganda against the Native Americans, who were normally portrayed as savages in such works. Finally, a personal note: I found it utterly fascinating that in 1823 Mary Jemison made a most prophetic statement: "He (her son John) fell victim to the use of liquor, a poison that will soon exterminate the Indian tribes in this part of the country." Although she couldn't read or write, Mary Jemison was an intelligent, strong, and very brave woman. Her story is one that is worth reading. She shouldn't be an obscure figure in American history. She should be more widely known. Recommend this book to the young people around you!