Pocahontas (On My Own Biography) - Softcover

Zemlicka, Shannon

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0876149069 ISBN 13: 9780876149065

Publisher: First Avenue Editions ™, 2002

Synopsis

As the young daughter of a powerful Powhatan leader, Pocahontas befriended the English settlers in Jamestown, Virginia. Although she helped them survive their difficult first years, and she may have saved settler John Smith's life, they took Pocahontas captive. After her release, Pocahontas married an English settler and journeyed to England. Although she was just twenty-one years old when she died, Pocahontas changed American history through her compassion and friendship.

About this title

About the Author

Shannon Zemlicka has written books for young readers about Pocahontas, Neil Armstrong, Florence Nightingale, mallard ducks, and many other topics. She lives with her cat and her dog in Arizona. When she isn't writing, she likes to explore the desert and see how many of its plants and animals she can name.

Jeni Reeves is a painter and children's book illustrator with a background in communication and fine arts. Her illustrated picture books include authors' stories about world culture, history, biography, and folklore. Travel and study fuel Jeni's work, as does an abiding interest in history and language.

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-3-An easy-to-read biography of the Powhatan Indian woman who played an important role in American history. The author is careful to give a disclaimer, stating that it is difficult to know the true story because of a lack of documentation. The incident in which Pocahontas saves John Smith's life is followed by the statement that Smith's account may not be completely trustworthy as he liked to brag about his adventures. However, several of Pocahontas's deeds were recorded by the Englishmen who settled in Jamestown and the book clearly states that she helped the colonists during their first fierce winter and was able to gain the release of some Powhatan prisoners. Later, when relations between the Powhatan and the English settlers deteriorated, she was taken prisoner and held for ransom. During this time, she agreed to marry the Englishman John Rolfe and was baptized a Christian. Illustrations in mostly drab greens and browns accompany the basic text, giving it a somber look. Large print and limited vocabulary make the book quite readable by the younger set. A suitable addition to most elementary libraries.
Anne Knickerbocker, formerly at Cedar Brook Elementary School, Houston, TX
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: First Avenue Editions ™
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0876149069
• ISBN 13: 9780876149065
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 48
• Illustrator: Reeves Jeni