Description
Pocahontas by Abenaki author Joseph Bruchac presents in historical fiction format the two perspectives of the 1607 encounter between the Powhatan Nation and the English settlers in Jamestown, Virginia. Pre-teen Pocahontas begins the story with an explanation of her name as it is understood by her family and how the Coatmen (English) understand the meaning of her name. She describes her family and her culture. The next chapter is told from the perspective of John Smith. And so the novel proceeds with alternating voices about this historical period. This story is not the Disney version of events rather Bruchac has succeeded in providing the reader with a different way of understanding this early contact period. He makes it readable for the intermediate reader with an accurate portrayal of historical events. The book contains an afterword that explains what happens to the two narrators. The book also includes a bibliography, and a glossary. A hardcover edition is available. Lexile Level: 970; Guided Reading Level: Y; DRA Level: 60.