The Ragpicker by Pegg Thomas
Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart
Salem Village, Book 1
Eight-year-old Verity Manton is whisked away after her uncle’s funeral by a widow who takes in orphans. Her possessions are sold for food. Cold and hungry, she must beg for rags from the townspeople.
She’s told to stay away from the Quakers. Her uncle had been a Puritan, and they don’t like Quakers. Verity fears them.
The story opens in 1691. The widow’s shack is in Salem Village, where strange stories and chanting in the forest frighten Verity.
This heart-wrenching story snagged my attention from the first page, the first sentence. My heart broke for the little girl who lost her family and now is losing her only relative. She must rely on the kindness of strangers, but not everyone treats her kindly.
The story’s historical setting in the backdrop of the Salem Witch Trials drew me to the series.
Characters I grew to love pulled me into their plight under the author’s skillful storytelling. I can’t wait to read the next book!
This historical fiction story is a page-turner. Highly recommend.
