Stranded at Plimoth Plantation 1626

by Gary Bowen

The Sparrowhawk's crew set sail October 12 from London in hopes of reaching Jamestown, Virginia. On November 6 our ship crashed in fog on what the captain told us was a New England shore.So begins the journal of thirteen-year - old indentured servant Christopher Sears. Rescued by Indians, Chirstopher anf the crew are taken to Plimoth Plantation. There, the young boy finds a place for himself and begins detailing his life with the Pilgrims'the births, deaths, marriages, and the important role that the Indians play in the settlers' lives. When a ship arrives nearly a year later to take the stranded passengers to Jamestown. Christopher finds he doesn't want to leave. But he is still indentured to Captain Sibsey, who won't set him free. Can his new friends help him? Or will he be forced to leave the community that has given him a home?

Careful research from historical accounts makes this an exciting story of one boy's coming of age as well as an informative reconstruction of the Pilgrims' daily life."In this beautifully illustrated work, Bowen provides a well-researched, fictional diary of a young Plimoth settler named Christopher Sears, who documents the trials and tribulations of the year 1626. His diary is decorated with woodcuts...rich, powerful images inked with colors suitable to the time."-- BL. "An enthralling account...Bowen's reputation rests secure as the crafter of scrupulously researched, beautifully illustrated stories."-- K.

Notable Children's Trade Book in Social Studies for 1995 (NCSS/CBC)
1994 "Pick of the Lists" (ABA)
1995 Children's Information Book Award (IRA)
1995 Teachers' Choices (IRA)
Best Children's Book of 1994(Parenting)
Children's Books of 1994 (NY Public Library)
100 Books for Reading and Sharing 1994 (NY Public Library)

Genres: History, Picture Books, Thanksgiving, Nonfiction, Childrens

88 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1994

Reviews

[Valerie]

Great representation of what life was like for the Pilgrims. The woodcuts were great.

[Kristie Storie Winston]

I was standing in the library making copies at the photocopy machine and happened to pick this books up. I ended up reading all 81 pages and enjoying the woodcut pictures. I even learned a few tidbits about Plimoth plantation that I didn’t previously know about from the year 1626. Exactly 400 years ago!

[Shiloah]

This was a chapter type book, epistolary style, disguised as a picture book. It was uninteresting to the kids, way too long, style not good for kids, and many pages had no pictures, just words. Seemed promising. Would be better as a chapter book.

[Denise]

Engaging and beautifully illustrated.
Upper elementary through middle school, but can be enjoyed by all.

[M.]

I liked this book for 4th and 5th graders who are studying American history. It's a fictional account of a boy who survived shipwreck off the Massachusetts coast in 1626; friendly Native Americans took him and the other survivors to Plimoth Plantation. Christopher Sears, age 13, was placed with Elder Brewster and his family, senior members of the colony. The book, written in diary form, gives a good account of the daily life of a young teenage boy in that place at that time. Christopher has lessons with some other boys, digs for clams for dinner, mends fences, hoes the garden, and helps make the coffin when needed. He attends 8-hour church services and impromptu celebration dances in the street.

The book may be hard to find as it was written in 1994.

More detailed in some ways, but very reminiscent of Sarah Morton's Day: a Day in the Life of a Pilrim Girl, by Kate Waters, and Samuel Eaton's Day: A Day in the life of a Pilgrim Boy and Tapenum's Day: A Wampanoag Indian Boy In Pilgrim Times, both by Kate Waters and Russ Kendall, and written about the same time.

[Julie Barrett]

Stranded at Plimoth Plantation by Gary Bowen
Author has done research and worked at Old Sturbridge Village, a sister village, interesting as I have knitted items for both villages using their wool and patterns of the time.
Have always found new things to see and learn that we can adapt to our living today.
1626 Christopher Sears 13 was headed to Jamestown, VA but landed at Plimoth where a family takes him in.
Journal telling of wedding, births, funeral, planting, building houses, etc along with religion. Love hearing how they preserve the foods grown as we've seen it done in Sturbridge.
Loved hearing of the woodcuts and printing processes.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

[Mary Bennett]

Stranded at Plimoth Plantation written as a journal by a servant named Christopher. His journal features many hard subjects that they people of the time had to deal with. He writes about births, weddings, death and the Indians. There is much to learn from this story that can be useful in teaching students. Students can learn about history for Christopher's struggles and his story. I would recommend this book for a middle school classroom.

[Abby Turner]

Really neat information.

[Shelly]

This was a good book to explore how Plimouth plantation life was.

[Amber]

I read the first page and got so bored that I groaned audibly. DONEZO.

[Natalie]

This is a good journal type book about a boy that is in Plymouth.