Book Review: Calico Captive
Calico Captive was written by Elisabeth George Speare, one of my favorite authors of historical fiction. She has some more great books like “Sign of the Beaver” “The Bronze Bow” and “The Witch of Blackbird Pond” so check her out!
Rating: ***** 5 out of 5 stars! (like most books I review)
What age? It was a bit longer (about 300 pages) so probably 12 and up but if they are really good readers maybe even 10 and up.
Audience: I would recommend this more for girls than boys just because there is a few who-marries-who scenes and the main character is a girl. (Boys: check out “The Bronze Bow” and “The Sign of the Beaver”-you will love them!)
Would I recommend? Yes!
The main gist- Set during the French and Indian War, “Calico Captive” realates the story of Miriam Willard and her sisters family who were captured by Indians and then held captive by the French. Beautifully written with some twists, suspense and intrigue. The other characters of Felicite, Pierre, Phineas, Madame Duquesne, Hortense and Mehkoa are well made and contribute depth to the story.
(SPOILERS!!!)
So after Miriam and Susanna (her sister) are thrown out from the Duquesnes (spelling?) they live in a tailors shop and make dresses for a living while they wait for James (Susannas husband) to return with thier freedom. Susanna and James go to prison when he returns and Miriam has to ask Pierre for help- as that is going on he falls in love with her and asks her to marry him. Will Miriam marry the wealthy Pierre or wait for her soldier Phineas? There are good examples of marriage in the book- rare in this day and age.
(spoilers are over) Read this jewel!
Priscillađź“š