Almost Home: A Story Based on the Life of the Mayflower's Young Mary Chilton

Daughters of the Faith #5

by Wendy Lawton

Daughters of the Faith: ordinary girls who did extraordinary things for God.

Almost Home is the story of the pilgrims’ journey to America and of God’s providence and provision.

Several of the characters in the story—Mary Chilton, Constance Hopkins, and Elizabeth Tilley—were actual passengers on the Mayflower. Mary Chilton was a young girl when she left her home in Holland and traveled to America onboard the Mayflower with her parents. The journey was filled with trials, joys, and some surprises, but when she reached the New World, she experienced a new life, new freedom, and new home.

Wendy Lawton has taken the facts of the pilgrims’ journey to the New World, and from this information filled in personal details to create a genuine and heart-warming story.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Christian, Historical, Childrens, Middle Grade, School

143 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Wendy Lawton, award-winning writer, sculptor, and doll designer, founded the Lawton Doll Company in 1979.
Lawton is a long-time lover of classic Christian literature. She has written eight books in her young adult Daughters of the Faith series. These books were followed by a series of four teen books and a nonfiction adult book. She won the 1999 Writer of the Year Award at the Mount Hermon Christian Writer’s Conference. She also won the famous Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest for the intentional worst first line of a novel in the Children’s Literature category.

Lawton received an honorary Doctor of Arts and Letters degree on January 18, 2004, from Wilmington College, located in New Castle, Delaware.

She and Keith, her husband of 30 years, are the parents of three. They reside in Hilmar, California, where they farm 30 acres of almonds and care for two dogs, an aged goose, and five elderly cats.

Lawton is the Vice President of Books and Such Literary Management. See their website here.

Reviews

[6thbreed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost Home was a historical fiction about an actual person named Mary Chilton who came over on the Mayflower. I think the author did a good job of including facts while at the same time keeping it interesting, and the people she wrote about really came alive. I learned about leading strings (which were strips of fabric sewn onto a child’s clothing to help them learn to walk and also to control children’s movements) and how they used lief instead of rather in their speech back then.
Many prayers were said and Scriptures quoted, and it didn’t really feel forced at all. There was a psalm read that fit perfectly for a certain scene in the book. The overall theme and message woven throughout the book was wonderful, and one that we all have to learn.
Honestly, it was a sad book because many people die, but Mary and the Pilgrims persevered through the hardships.
There was one instance of a sailor taking the Lord’s name in vain. Also, a minor complaint was that I wished the glossary of words was in the front instead of the back because I every time I went to look up a word, I was afraid I would spoil the book for myself by accidentally seeing the ending.
All in all, I really liked Almost Home and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a clean, entertaining story that has great faith content.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost Home: A Story Based on the Life of the Mayflower's Mary Chilton by Wendy Lawton is an historical fiction based on events where the Pilgrims who had moved from England to Holland to escape religious persecution. For the same reason they planned to move from Holland to America because they were told about the total freedom they would have to worship as they pleased without interference. They arranged transport on two ships including the Mayflower and, after some problems with the ships that caused them to return to port for repairs, they sailed on the Mayflower a bit later in the season than they had hoped. Based on specific individuals who were listed on the Mayflower's roster of travelers, the author uses real people, such as Mary Chilton and her friends, and fills out the story with other known facts about the rigors of the sea journey, the initial landing, locating a suitable place to live, building shelters, and finding enough food to survive. Also noted are the deaths that occurred such that when another ship arrived a year later with supplies and more Pilgrims, half of the original party had died. Also covered are the initial interactions with Indians, some warlike and others friendly. It was well written and told the story in an interesting manner as observed by Mary Chilton.

[Erin O'Connor {If The Review Fits} · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt like this was the same for all of the other Journey to America books. Just so predictable

[Jessica Claxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very sweet book that I read aloud with my two home schooled sons. They really got caught up in the story of the children on the Mayflower. This is based on stories of real passengers, and is not only enlightening, but entertaining. The main characters belong to the Separatists, and their faith in God during the journey is both encouraging and heart-warming. This was a great read-aloud!

[Lea Berryreadinbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well-written and accurate. I love the theme of “almost home” that reoccurred frequently in the story. I was also touched by the numerous references to the Pilgrims faith in light of all of their hardships. I forgot that only 4 women survived the first winter at Cape Cod!

[Rachel {bibliopals} · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook was very well done

[Vera Godley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary Chilton was a very mature 13 year old in the group of Pilgrims and Strangers or Saints and Sinners when she sailed for America aboard the Mayflower in 1620. This book in the Daughters of the Faith Series, published by Moody Publishers, and written by Wendy Lawton is an excellent read for the tween-teen. It is intense, just the right length, and filled with facts. The story line is written true to history and yet entertaining and enthralling enough to capture the fleeting interest of the young reader.

The descriptions of the storm at sea, the cold, the illness, the filth aboard and the emotions of these dear souls who forged the path for the forming of a country where one could worship according to the dictates of one's heart are truly top quality.

"Almost Home" is a biographical novel about a real girl and a real situation. Conversations are, of course, fictional but the story is true to historical evidence and is one I would recommend for young readers at home, home schools, and Christian schools.

Chapter 1 - PDF ~~ ISBN13: 9780802436375

List of Mayflower passengers (characters in the book "Almost Home" are listed as real passengers)

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of "Almost Home" by Wendy Lawton from Moody Publishers in exchange for my honest review. There was no requirement for a positive review.

[Zorina Shepard · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible story based on true events! This book is a perfect read for Thanksgiving time. History comes to life in this wonderful little book for children.

Follow Mary Chilton and her family as they journey to America aboard the Mayflower. Through their voyage and the challenges that follow, the providence of God shines clearly—even in the midst of hardship and loss. Mary longs to find a place to belong and ultimately learns how God weaves families together and works all things according to His good purposes.

As disease spreads and loved ones are lost, Mary’s faith is tested, and she learns to trust in the Lord more deeply. The ending moved me to tears. The history, storytelling, and spiritual lessons in this book are beautifully woven together.

Some of my favorite quotes:

"All this time I thought home was a place, but this afternoon I understand that God had indeed guided me home—home to Him, though it took me most of my life to realize it."

"In the sadness I forgot all about beauty and flowers. And all this time this gift sat among my bundles, waiting to remind me that I was almost home."

I highly recommend Almost Home and can’t wait to read more from the Daughters of the Faith series!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review.

[Aimee Fuhrman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a great way for my ten-year-old son to learn our early American history. Far more engaging and entertaining than a dry textbook synopsis, Lawton's tale of the Pilgrims weaves authentic details with imaginative narrative. Careful to portray the Puritan faith as the foundation and motivation for all they do, the author navigates religion well, never veering into a preachy tone, making this book readable for both Christians and others.
When we finally got to our textbook's coverage of the Pilgrims, my son was alight with satisfaction at the fact that he already knew the information given (and more) about this influential group of early American settlers.

[Rebekah Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great story on the life of Mary Chilton (who came over on the Mayflower). Instead of dull and dry, or with "added excitement" like many biographies for children are these days, this was fascinating. I enjoyed the glimpse of life in Lyden, the trials of returning yet again to England because the Speedwell was leaking, and then the trip and the final arrival at Plymouth.

There was one instance of someone saying what to my reading was taking the Lord's Name in vain, but I wonder if the author really meant it to be that way. It would be easy to whiteout if it bothered someone.

[Joanna Among Paper Petals · Rating 5 out of 5]

The characters are believable, the story moves along nicely, the dialogue was realistic, I didn't stumble when reading due to any grammatical issues and the story also made me cry in a couple areas. 5 stars.

The author did a good job of showing the life of the pilgrims, why they moved to the new land and how difficult the journey was and the loss they endured during their travel without being too much for my daughter to handle (she was eight when we read it together). A good intro to the history of our country.

[Abigail Westbrook · Rating 5 out of 5]

We enjoyed this as a read-aloud for our study of the Mayflower pilgrims. Even my boys became very invested in the story, despite the female main characters that they weren’t sure about at first. I liked the way the author included some authentic vocabulary and cadence, so we were able to learn some new words - yet it isn’t so much that it’s hard to understand. The message of trusting God through very hard times is woven throughout but not overbearing or preachy. Lovely book!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

We read this as a read aloud for school. Being from Canada I have not personally learned a whole lot about American history. I have heat the name Mayflower come up before, but have never really learned about it. This was the perfect book to read along with learning about the Mayflower. The author took great detail keeping things as historical as possible. The history mixed with faith was perfect.

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book along with my 11 year-old homeschooled daughter. While not a work of great literature, it is the moving story of Mary Chilton and her family’s voyage on the Mayflower. I found Mary’s realization of what “home” really meant to her to be especially sweet and the “living history” quality of this book makes it a pleasurable read.

[Talea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved reading this little story about Mary Chilton and her possible adventure to America. The faith in God through hardship and struggle was written in a way young readers can understand and relate to. It was refreshing and sweet while sticking to the actual events of the struggles the pilgrims faced.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book for middle schoolers. The writing was quaint, but I felt it lacked some character. I assumer some stuff was left out simply to keep it a short read, it it was boring at times for me as the mom, although my kids enjoyed listening to it.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This will make an excellent read aloud next Thanksgiving! It is simple and beautiful and a gentle yet powerful rendition of the Pilgrim’s journey to America. It uses factual events with factual characters and a number of scripture passages. I only wish I had found it before Thanksgiving this year!

[Lilzzz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really good. I don't like many of the books I have to read for school this year, because most of them are written like textbooks, but really enjoyed the story in this; about wanting to belong and almost getting there, and making new friends along the way.

[Joanna Penfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the final line of the books says, it is "a story of courage, faith, and perseverance against all odds." It is so moving and inspiring to read of all the Pilgrims went through in settling Plymouth. What an amazing group of people!

[Laura Celuch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family History

I recently discover that Mary Chilton is my 10th Ggrandmother. She asked why God would lead them there even knowing all the tragedy they would face and my reason is for me and my family. I am an American because of her.

[Jewel Mcroberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

It made the history of the journey of the Mayflower to America come to life.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young girl's perspective of the Pilgrim's journey on the Mayflower. A good read before Thanksgiving. Not a page-turner, but interesting.

[Erin Host Hisaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

excellent read-aloud for homeschool history

[Margaret J Frazier · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a short listen on Audible. It's a Christian book based on good research by the author. It made me thankful for our heritage of some very strong ancestors.

[Laurie Wheeler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basic retelling of the Pilgrims' arrival to America on the Mayflower. We used this in our Dialectic homeschool history stories.

[Bella Rowell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was very good. I had to read this for school. It was very interesting for being something that actually happened.

[Amy Meyers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent, pretty good. A little boring and over-moralizing at times, but in general the spiritual lessons on suffering were excellent and I liked how the author tried to stay true to history.

[Kara Kuehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series! Wendy Lawton does such an amazing job! This book did not disappoint!
I especially love that the people in this book were actual voyagers on the Mayflower!

[Kristin Murray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Characters - 3

Pace - 3

Plot - 3

Theme - 5; trust in the Lord and His sovereign care in difficult times

Writing Style - 3

Length - 3


3.3 stars

[Anberlynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was great, but it can get boring at times.