Escape Across the Wide Sea - Hardcover

Katherine Kirkpatrick

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0823418545 ISBN 13: 9780823418541

Publisher: Holiday House, 2004

Synopsis

When his family's weaving shop is destroyed because his family refuses to convert to the king's religion, Daniel and his family flees France and the only home they've ever known and end up on a two-year journey aboard various sea vessels that take them to Africa, the Caribbean, and their final destination of the colony of New York in 1688.

About this title

About the Author:

Katherine Kirkpatrick's fascination with history has inspired her to write several works of historical fiction for children: a picture book, "Redcoats and Petticoats," illustrated by Ronald Himler: and three widely praised novels for young adults. "Keeping the Good Light," "Voyage of the Continental," and "Trouble's Daughter: The Story of Susanna Hutchinson," "Indian Captive," which was called "a compelling saga" in a starred Booklist review. A native of New York State, Ms. Kirkpatrick now lives with her husband and two daughters in Seattle, Washington.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 5-8–In 1686, nine-year-old Daniel Bonnet's Huguenot family makes a desperate attempt to escape persecution in France. They board a ship that they believe will transport them to England. Instead, they have embarked on a three-year journey that takes them first to Africa, where the vessel takes on a cargo of slaves. Daniel's leg wound from a French soldier's bayonet renders him handicapped yet he performs chores that lead him into the ship's hold, where he meets Seynabou, a girl kidnapped into slavery. In Guadeloupe, he manages to bring her to the attention of a Huguenot sugar plantation owner, who buys her. But even here, French colonial soldiers arrest Huguenots, and families and their slaves leave for New York, where they earn money to buy land and establish a community in New Rochelle. Kirkpatrick creates a strong sense of place, and the plot successfully comes full circle as the Bonnets return to their original trade as weavers. Full-page illustrations are scattered throughout. Back matter includes a pronunciation guide and glossary in English and French as well as a historical note that includes a passage about the real Daniel Bonnet. This strong historical novel presents a realistic account of slavery, religious intolerance, and French immigration in Colonial times.–Jean Gaffney, Dayton and Montgomery County Public Library, Miamisburg, OH
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About this edition

• Publisher: Holiday House
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0823418545
• ISBN 13: 9780823418541
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 210