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What Members Thought
Brooks is great at writing a readable book, but has two failings in my opinion: 1-She inserts modern sensitibilites/morals into historical characters/settings that don't feel authentic or honest and 2-She rushes through her endings almost like they are an afterthought.
The story of the first Native American students to attend Harvard told through the eyes of the young girl who grew up on the same island they came from. ...more
The story of the first Native American students to attend Harvard told through the eyes of the young girl who grew up on the same island they came from. ...more
Since this history was totally unknown to me, I "cheated" and read the afterward first to find out what actual history the author hung her story on. This is an interesting piece of history and Brooks does a very good job of telling her story. She incorporates the religious disagreements of the time, the widely different attitudes toward the "salvages" or Indians, how education of boys and girls was done (or not), the difficulty providing food, clothing and housing in the wilderness of the time a
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very historical -- and slow at times -- but I loved Bethia and her voice and her experiences; I loved learning about Martha's Vineyard and seeing the clash and junction of cultures. The ending left me sad and empty, but I still liked it and would like to know what other teachers who like reading about New England think. Bethia is cool; Caleb is equally interesting. Plus, I'm fascinated with Harvard, Massachussetts colony, etc. Checked the boxes for me. And, I love Gwendolyn Brooks' writing style
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Beautifully written, but not a huge fan of the story - found it depressing.
May 04, 2011
Gaijinmama
marked it as to-read
Sep 14, 2011
Deedee
marked it as to-read
Nov 08, 2011
miteypen
marked it as to-read
Dec 12, 2011
Shannan
marked it as to-read
Mar 18, 2012
Lucinda
marked it as want-to-get-a-copy
Jul 28, 2013
Kristina
marked it as to-read
Sep 05, 2013
Molly
marked it as to-read
May 28, 2014
Julie
added it
Decent
Jun 28, 2018
Valerie
marked it as to-read
May 19, 2022
Melissa
marked it as to-read
