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The Crimson Cap
This historical novel is based on the true adventures of 11-year-old Pierre Talon who, in 1684, as a member of the last, ill-fated expedition of the great explorer La Salle, was rescued and adopted by the Hasinai Indians, one of the Caddo tribes of eastern Texas.
177 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2009
About the author
Ellen Howard
28 books10 followersChildren sometimes ask, "Do you write about your own life?" I have to answer that I do not. The reason is simple: My own life is boring. Yet I would not trade it for anyone else's.
I grew up in a large and loving family--parents, grandparents, and three children all under the same roof, a big white house in Portland, Oregon. At school, I was able, but not brilliant. I liked to draw. I liked to play pretend. I liked dolls, too, right through eighth grade, and only fear of what others would say made me give them up then.
Most of all, I loved to read! And I dreamed of a time when, a grown-up married lady with thirteen children, I would write books.
But childhood dreams have a way of getting lost. It was not until I was in my mid-thirties, after marriage, a child, divorce, and remarriage, that I was able to complete college. By then, my family included not only my daughter Beth, but my husband's daughters, Cynthia, Laurie, and Shaley.
It was in college that an important thing happened. I rediscovered stories and remembered my dream of writing them. My first published book was a story for children (CIRCLE OF GIVING, 1984).
Since then, our daughters have grown up. Now we have seven grandchildren. I work at home, writing. I speak at schools. I teach writing. I give speeches to teachers, librarians, and others. But most of the time, I am at home, gardening, cooking, washing, and ironing . . . and writing.
I know my life sounds boring, but for me it is filled with all the adventure, excitement and drama I can find and make in books. To me it is the best kind of life!
I grew up in a large and loving family--parents, grandparents, and three children all under the same roof, a big white house in Portland, Oregon. At school, I was able, but not brilliant. I liked to draw. I liked to play pretend. I liked dolls, too, right through eighth grade, and only fear of what others would say made me give them up then.
Most of all, I loved to read! And I dreamed of a time when, a grown-up married lady with thirteen children, I would write books.
But childhood dreams have a way of getting lost. It was not until I was in my mid-thirties, after marriage, a child, divorce, and remarriage, that I was able to complete college. By then, my family included not only my daughter Beth, but my husband's daughters, Cynthia, Laurie, and Shaley.
It was in college that an important thing happened. I rediscovered stories and remembered my dream of writing them. My first published book was a story for children (CIRCLE OF GIVING, 1984).
Since then, our daughters have grown up. Now we have seven grandchildren. I work at home, writing. I speak at schools. I teach writing. I give speeches to teachers, librarians, and others. But most of the time, I am at home, gardening, cooking, washing, and ironing . . . and writing.
I know my life sounds boring, but for me it is filled with all the adventure, excitement and drama I can find and make in books. To me it is the best kind of life!
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 29, 2011
The Crimson Cap
by Ellen Howard
Imagine you have just landed in a lifeboat on a hostile shore. Your ship sank days ago, and the only thing you have left to help you survive are a few moldy biscuits, a knife, a pistol, and your knitted hat. To top that off, a few days after arrival you discover that there are people already living on that shore, and they don't like the idea of you squatting on their land. Time passes without rescue; the other guys from your lifeboat begin fighting; clearly, it won't be long until someone snaps and shoots that gun in the wrong direction, maybe even at you. What would you do? Pierre did not know when he joined LaSalle's expedition to the new world that he'd be fighting for his life—he was just a boy. Thing is, boys can die too; especially when the people of three different nations are trying to capture them. If you've ever wondered what your history teacher wasn't telling you in 7th grade history, this is the book for you. It brings native Texas tribes back to life, shows you how nasty living in the early settlements was, and how bloody the world of the pioneer tended to be. Short chapters and action make this book move quickly, but make no mistake, you need to enjoy reading about history to fully enjoy it.
by Ellen Howard
Imagine you have just landed in a lifeboat on a hostile shore. Your ship sank days ago, and the only thing you have left to help you survive are a few moldy biscuits, a knife, a pistol, and your knitted hat. To top that off, a few days after arrival you discover that there are people already living on that shore, and they don't like the idea of you squatting on their land. Time passes without rescue; the other guys from your lifeboat begin fighting; clearly, it won't be long until someone snaps and shoots that gun in the wrong direction, maybe even at you. What would you do? Pierre did not know when he joined LaSalle's expedition to the new world that he'd be fighting for his life—he was just a boy. Thing is, boys can die too; especially when the people of three different nations are trying to capture them. If you've ever wondered what your history teacher wasn't telling you in 7th grade history, this is the book for you. It brings native Texas tribes back to life, shows you how nasty living in the early settlements was, and how bloody the world of the pioneer tended to be. Short chapters and action make this book move quickly, but make no mistake, you need to enjoy reading about history to fully enjoy it.
January 22, 2011
review for work:
The cover, writing style, and obscure historical subject of this book lack kid appeal. It’s hard to keep track of all the named people—the list of characters takes up three pages at the front of the book—and few are developed beyond basic kindly or evil dispositions. While Howard does have the facts of Pierre Talon’s life constricting her plot, the ending nonetheless seems abrupt and out of character.
On the plus side, a few interesting questions are raised about codes of conduct within groups versus conduct towards those considered enemies. Is everything permitted against an enemy? Is a person who is kind to her own family and tribe still a good person if she tortures an outsider? Unfortunately, Pierre doesn’t really make any progress in resolving these moral quandaries.
The parts that describe life and rituals among the Hasinai tribe are best, but they’re in the middle of tedious sections about French and Spanish colonial conflicts. A true devotee of historical fiction who could get past all that might go for it, but why take up room on the shelf just for that contingency?
The cover, writing style, and obscure historical subject of this book lack kid appeal. It’s hard to keep track of all the named people—the list of characters takes up three pages at the front of the book—and few are developed beyond basic kindly or evil dispositions. While Howard does have the facts of Pierre Talon’s life constricting her plot, the ending nonetheless seems abrupt and out of character.
On the plus side, a few interesting questions are raised about codes of conduct within groups versus conduct towards those considered enemies. Is everything permitted against an enemy? Is a person who is kind to her own family and tribe still a good person if she tortures an outsider? Unfortunately, Pierre doesn’t really make any progress in resolving these moral quandaries.
The parts that describe life and rituals among the Hasinai tribe are best, but they’re in the middle of tedious sections about French and Spanish colonial conflicts. A true devotee of historical fiction who could get past all that might go for it, but why take up room on the shelf just for that contingency?
June 24, 2010
I love this book!!!!!
The setting and the story are captivating. It is well-written and well-researched. Pierre faces survival in the wilderness, Indian battles, and the complexity of human relationships, prejudices and what it means to be family. He is a wonderful character and the other characters in the book are well-drawn.
The setting and the story are captivating. It is well-written and well-researched. Pierre faces survival in the wilderness, Indian battles, and the complexity of human relationships, prejudices and what it means to be family. He is a wonderful character and the other characters in the book are well-drawn.
October 18, 2018
I am so glad I finally finished this book, just to say I got through it. I really considered DNFing this one.
January 21, 2012
Pierre’s father is missing. His mother is ill and his siblings are starving. And though he is just ten, he joins an expedition to find help for the failing French settlement on the Gulf Coast where he has lived for the last two years. But the expedition becomes lost, the leader is murdered by his own men, and Pierre falls deathly ill. Only through the goodness of the Hasinai tribe does Pierre survive. For three years he lives with the Hasinai and he comes to love them though he never forgets his family. When Spanish explorers find him living with the natives, they offer to help him find his sister and younger brothers but this means giving up his life with the Hasinai and allying himself with an enemy of France.
Based on a true story, The Crimson Cap is a finely executed piece of historical fiction for middle-grade readers. The pacing is quick and the characters are morally complex. Howard weaves in enough detail about daily life in the late seventeenth century to make the story interesting, but does not overload the tale with it. I enjoyed reading the book even if sometimes I found the writing awkward, especially the action sequences.
Based on a true story, The Crimson Cap is a finely executed piece of historical fiction for middle-grade readers. The pacing is quick and the characters are morally complex. Howard weaves in enough detail about daily life in the late seventeenth century to make the story interesting, but does not overload the tale with it. I enjoyed reading the book even if sometimes I found the writing awkward, especially the action sequences.
May 4, 2015
"The Crimson Cap" - written by Ellen Howard and published in 2009 by Holiday House. While the Civil War and especially slavery are visited frequently in middle-grade literature, the background of this book's setting in 1680s Texas is rarely considered. Briefly, a young French boy is separated from his family who have accompanied the explorer La Salle as he tries to establish a settlement near the Mississippi River from which to harass the Spanish. Although the larger conflict is between the French and Spanish, this story focuses mostly on Pierre's life with local Indian tribes. Howard has put flesh onto events briefly noted in historical documents and tells an absorbing tale that puts readers right into lives plagued by bad weather, hard work, uncertainty, but also a sense of community and family with the Indians who care for him. For those who enjoyed survival stories such as "Hatchet" or "The Sign of the Beaver," this is a recommended upgrade to a more serious approach.
October 12, 2010
The Crimson Cap is a fictionalized account of a French boy who has journeyed to the New World with LaSalle. LaSalle and his group land in Texas, and cannot find the mouth of the Mississippi. Infighting among the French and conflicts with the native populations are some of the problems this group faces - and then the Spanish arrive to chase the French out of their territory.
Pierre Talon was a historical figure who lived with the native population for many years in the area now called Texas. Howard has extrapolated a fictionalized account of the hardships Pierre faces as he grows up in a strange land among the local tribe. Pierre makes deep friendships and faces hard choices. Responsibility to his brothers and sisters both motivates him and grieves him.
This book is nominated for the Sakura Book Award 2011, an award given by international schools in Asia for children's fiction.
Pierre Talon was a historical figure who lived with the native population for many years in the area now called Texas. Howard has extrapolated a fictionalized account of the hardships Pierre faces as he grows up in a strange land among the local tribe. Pierre makes deep friendships and faces hard choices. Responsibility to his brothers and sisters both motivates him and grieves him.
This book is nominated for the Sakura Book Award 2011, an award given by international schools in Asia for children's fiction.
August 27, 2009
I have just started this and think boys will like the story of adventurous Pierre. The eleven year old has been tapped by the famous explorer La Salle to leave a failing colony in coastal Texas to find (yes the intrepid explorer La Salle is lost)the mouth of the Mississippi and make a settlement to vex the Spaniards who have claimed the southern part of the continent. Pierre has left his widowed mother and siblings because he quickly picks up the languages of the natives and La Salle will need a translator.
The story vividly depict the hardships of new colonies and exploration, perfect fifth grade title for a class or small reading group.
The story vividly depict the hardships of new colonies and exploration, perfect fifth grade title for a class or small reading group.
September 4, 2015
This was a sad story in many ways, yet it showed the persistence and determination of one young boy to locate his lost siblings among a different Indian tribe than the one he had been accepted into after his party trying to return to New France to get some help for his lost settlement was decimated, primarily from internal disagreements. It is a heart wrenching and ultimately a heart warming story. The author does a marvelous follow up at the end of the book so that you know what happened to the parties involved later in their lives. This book, while a fictional novel, is based on a true story. One of my favorite books so far.
February 25, 2010
Recommended for gr. 5-8. Historical fiction during the time of La Salle and his Mississippi explorations. Pierre, a young boy whose family lives at a settlement on the Guadalupe River in Texas, joins La Salle’s expedition to locate the Mississippi River and a route to New France. He becomes ill and is taken in by Hasinai Indians. Pierre is a historical character and the imagined story of what his life was like is fascinating. Inquiring minds will enjoy the list of characters, pronunciation guide, map and author’s notes.
May 14, 2010
A good candidate for younger teens or upper elementary school students needing to read an historical fiction novel. French Canadian Pierre Talon sets out as the youngest member (age 10!) of La Salle's company in what is to be La Salle's desperate final attempt to find the Mississippi and make his way back to New France to get help for his suffering Texas colony. A coming-of-age story with swiftly moving plot, adventure, and interesting characters. The haunting cover image will garner second glances. Based on the experiences of the real Pierre Talon.
August 12, 2013
A delightful little piece of historical fiction that piggy backs off of the the Rene Robert Sieur De La Salle faied expedition. Well worth the read. I especially like the little addendum that explained the basis for the characters an gave follow up information on what became of the real life characters.
January 12, 2010
This is about 11 year old Pierre who leaves his family to go with La Salle. I like that this is a time period that I haven't read much about in the young adult historical fiction world. I also like, so far, that the back story is being weaved into the action of the book. I think that's a plus.
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February 2, 2010Historical fiction, French explorer La Salle's expedition from France to the Mississippi. 10-year-old protag. Hasanai Indians. Multi-dimensional portrayal of different cultures. Loved it.
June 9, 2011
good voice
May 23, 2014
Great character development. Would love to read in a fourth or fifth grade classroom about courage and self identity.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews