Books for children about Pocahontas
Books about Pocahontas for children have their own page on this site because they are a separate genre from adult books. Children's books (especially older ones) tend to emphasize the legend and the fictional love story and usually avoid the atrocities. Understandably, children's books can be a thorn in the side of Native Americans, as they tend to whitewash history and depict Pocahontas as a happy and willing convert to English ways and the Christian religion. They also often portray her as being enamored with English men.
Educators, obviously, want to introduce Pocahontas to young people, as she is one of the earliest Native Americans we know something about. Her story is arguably one of the earliest American stories of diversity. However, the actual details of her life pose problems in the telling. As a result, writers of children's books, who need to appeal to educators in order to make sales, make choices that are often questionable and which typically favor the colonizer side over the Indians. Of course, we can also say that more is known on the colonizer side, as the English were the ones to record the story.
In this section, I will try to comment on the pluses and minuses of children's books on Pocahontas so parents and teachers can know what to expect from them. In time, I hope to develop a more systematic and informed way of evaluating books about Pocahontas for children. For mainstream 'adult' books about Pocahontas, Jamestown and the Powhatan Indians, check out my Books for Adults page.
* The list below is not a ranking. It's basically the order in which I read them.
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Pocahontas
Oxford Bookworms Library - Stage 1 Retold by Tim Vicary ISBN-0194229521 400 headwords; Lexile measure 470L; Grades 6-10 Online text (SCRIBD) This is a graded reader meant for young readers or learners of English as a second language. It's a Stage 1 book, so the vocabulary is limited, and the author has to tell the story in simple words and as straight-forwardly as possible. Dialog is imagined, and the illustrations are meant to aid in telling the story. The author states that he read John Smith's A General History of Virginia, and the story conforms generally to John Smith's version. However, a one-sided love story of Pocahontas for John Smith is imagined in this book,, so we can't say the book is accurate. Too much is made of her longing for John Smith with the beautiful blue eyes (an idea that John Smith never hinted at). Also, the portrayal of the Indians in this book makes them appear rather pathetic, with John Smith portrayed as a hero, dominating all those around him. The rescue story has a bit of nuance, as it imagines Pocahontas conferring with her father about what to do with John Smith before she performs the rescue scene, thus conforming to one of the current interpretations of the story, that they were acting out an adoption ritual. The final conversation between Pocahontas and John Smith in England is a really unfortunate interpretation, as it imagines her saying how much she loved him and how she was broken-hearted when he left Jamestown. Her supposed unrequited love is one explanation for this reported dialog, but historians have made other more plausible ones. This version of the Pocahontas story is about half fiction, so I can't really recommend it. Students studying history or looking for an actual biography should definitely avoid it. However, as a graded reader meant to foster reading skills, I'd say it's reasonably successful. It's a story for young people in the myths & legends genre, but based on a historical person. |
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The True Story of Pocahontas; Step Into Reading 3
by Lucille Recht Penner Random House ISBN-0679861661 Lexile measure 440L; Guided Reading Level N; DRA 30; Grades Pre-K, K, 1, 2 Like the book directly above, this is a graded reader. However, this one is meant for children, with large type and kid-friendly color illustrations, Interestingly, this book tries to have a more Indian-centered story. Whereas the Oxford book above has the Indians afraid of the settlers, this book has it reversed, with the English afraid to leave their fort. Both books have Pocahontas saving John Smith (that's what she's famous for, after all) However, this book does not mention any kind of love story between Pocahontas and John Smith. He's just a character that interacts with her for a while and then leaves. The first 90% of this book is pretty faithful to the history of Pocahontas that we know. However, perhaps because the book is for small children, it chooses to avoid the sad ending that a truthful account would require. In the end, Pocahontas and John Smith meet once more in England and have a friendly chat. There is no mention of Pocahontas's scolding of John Smith or her unfortunate demise. In fact, the final sentences are: "Pocahontas stayed in England for the rest of her life. But the people of American will always remember her." I have to admit, it's a rather ingenious way to make a factual statement without telling the whole sad truth! |
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The Story of Pocahontas (In Easy-to=Read Type)
By Brian Doherty
Dover Children's Thrift Classics (1994)
ISBN-9780486280257
Presumed grades 3-7
This is a fairly bizarre telling of the Pocahontas story that features Nantaquas as a main character.* At one point, before Pocahontas has the opportunity to rescue John Smith, she is actually rescued by Smith first! Later, when Smith needs rescuing, Pocahontas repays the favor.
* [A supposed older brother of Pocahontas, Nantaquas was mentioned in the (presumed) 1616 letter Smith wrote to Queen Anne. He spoke of this letter in 1624.]
As a story, it's readable enough, and possibly entertaining for children. However, it is so fictionalized, and so many issues are glossed over, that I feel this book is probably the worst I've read from a historical point of view. I would stay away from this one. The illustrations are unconvincing as well.
A few questionable excerpts from near the end of the book:
By Brian Doherty
Dover Children's Thrift Classics (1994)
ISBN-9780486280257
Presumed grades 3-7
This is a fairly bizarre telling of the Pocahontas story that features Nantaquas as a main character.* At one point, before Pocahontas has the opportunity to rescue John Smith, she is actually rescued by Smith first! Later, when Smith needs rescuing, Pocahontas repays the favor.
* [A supposed older brother of Pocahontas, Nantaquas was mentioned in the (presumed) 1616 letter Smith wrote to Queen Anne. He spoke of this letter in 1624.]
As a story, it's readable enough, and possibly entertaining for children. However, it is so fictionalized, and so many issues are glossed over, that I feel this book is probably the worst I've read from a historical point of view. I would stay away from this one. The illustrations are unconvincing as well.
A few questionable excerpts from near the end of the book:
- "Rolfe and Pocahontas were married in April 1613. Although Powhatan did not attend the ceremony, he cheerfully gave his consent and sent his brother and two of his sons to represent him. One of them was Nantaquas, who was very pleased with the marriage." p. 88, 90
- "The marriage was happy in all ways. Husband and wife devotedly loved each other, and Powhatan became the true friend of the English, and remained so to the end of his life." p. 90
- "Pocahontas was anxious to meet her old friend, John Smith. He was the first person she asked about. But, to her grief, she was told that he was dead. While she was in mourning for him, Captain Smith came to see her. She was so shocked that she burst into tears." p. 91
- "She soon regained her cheerfulness and the two sat down and had a long talk over their lives in America, three thousand miles away. She called the Captain "father," and he returned the honor by calling her "daughter." p. 91
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The Double Life of Pocahontas
by Jean Fritz Puffin Books (1983) ISBN-9780698119352 Lexile measure 910L; Guided Reading Level T; DRA 50; Grades 6-12 Of the children's books on Pocahontas that I've read, this is one of the better ones, though it's certainly not for young kids. I would say this one is for junior high school students or even first and second year high school students. It covers most of the standard Pocahontas story and introduces a lot of characters. Considering when it was written, it's fairly progressive, trying to find a middle ground between an Indian perspective and the colonizer myth. It portrays Pocahontas as being torn between two worlds. Many will still find this book to be too biased on the colonizer side, as it makes a little too much of Pocahontas's affection for John Smith. In the last chapter, it has her lamenting that Smith never comes to visit her, and when he finally does, she is overcome with emotion. The book also has her praying to stay in England instead of returning to her home. Interestingly, it has her feeling distant from John Rolfe, who wants to remove the "Indian-ness" from her. An interesting idea is the account of the child Pocahontas playing with the colony boys and learning the phrase, "Love you not me?" which she is presumed to have taught the other Indian girls for use in their famous dance before John Smith some years later. Overall, I recommend this book, though I realize people on both the Indian side and the colonizer side will not be entirely satisfied. |
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Pocahontas
by Shannon Zemlicka; illustrations by Jeni Reeves First Avenue Editions; Lerner Publishing Group; Millbrook Press (2002) ISBN-9780876149065 Lexile measure 430L; grades 3-5; guided reading level L; grade level equivalent 2.1 I rather like this book for young readers, and the illustrations are great. I still have some things to nitpick, but I think the pluses outweigh the minuses. On the plus side, this book gives a nuanced view of the John Smith rescue story. First it tells the story much as other books have done. Then it says that Smith may have made it all up. At a young age, then, readers are asked to hold two conflicting possibilities in their mind. Interesting. Next, rather than portray Pocahontas and John Smith in a romance, the two are shown to be good friends, chatting when possible and teaching each other their own language. The second rescue of John Smith at night in the woods is reported without skepticism. Next, the book skips ahead to when Pocahontas is a young adult and suddenly she is kidnapped. She marries John Rolfe, who says he loves her, but we are told that she may not have loved him back, as she was a prisoner. This seems reasonable, and is very progressive for a children's book. We are also told that she may not have truly accepted her Christian religion, and we can't be sure her marriage was happy. Her death is described as traditional history tells us, with no specific cause of death, but from illness. These are all reasonable points, and rare in a children's book. I wonder what children think of it? As a minor nitpick, the book says early on that Pocahontas, being the daughter of a chief, didn't have to work growing up, as her family had servants to grow food and make clothes. I'm not sure that's completely supported by anthropologists, although some historians hint that as the daughter of Wahunsenaca, she may have had a somewhat privileged upbringing. |
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Pocahontas: An American Princess
by Joyce Milton; illustrations by Shelly Hehenberger Penguin Young Readers Level 4 (2000) ISBN-9780448421810 Lexile measure (about?) 460L; guided reading level N; interest level grades 2-4; grade level equivalent 3 The all-color illustrations are attractive, but a few of them may not be accurate. First are the sizes of the English ships, which seem to rival the Titanic. Next, the Powhatan canoe is clearly not a dugout. Even Disney got this right. I have some doubts about the clothing and hairstyles, but no books really get this right, or even try to, as books for kids don't want to portray nakedness, and the real Powhatan look doesn't seem to appeal to artists. I have a number of quibbles with the text, but the last page really got my attention. The author writes: "But before the ship reached the open sea, Pocahontas had died. Pocahontas was buried in England. John Rolfe took their son Thomas back home to Virginia. To this day, there are families in Virginia who can trace their history back to this early American princess. And now you know the true story of Pocahontas." I suppose there could be worse errors, but it's funny to see Milton say Rolfe took his son back to Virginia - he did not, and worried about his reputation for not doing so - followed by the "true story" comment. It's no wonder Linwood Custalow decided to write a myth of his own. As with some other books, this one has Pocahontas "longing to stay in England in the country of John Smith." Apparently her death prevented an impending love triangle. Naturally, the famous John Smith rescue is in evidence, though the idea that the rescue was staged is offered. The lesser known second rescue is mentioned. too. On the positive side, some details of the Pocahontas story which don't usually appear in kids" books do appear here. For example, we learn that John Smith got burned and had to leave for England. Also, the settlers tried to get Powhatan to bow down and accept the rule of the English king, which he refused to do. This book is probably a bit better than I made it sound. It's not one of the worst. Ultimately, I judge this book to be about 1/3 fiction, with some moments of clarity. |
The Story of Pocahontas and Captain John Smith
by E. Boyd Smith
Houghton Mifflin Company (2015) reduced size paperback edition based on the original illustrated version published in 1906
ISBN-9781514325612
Free e-book at Project Gutenberg
The original book by E. Boyd Smith is excellent, mainly due to the fantastic artwork. This paperback version, however, is unusual, and unlikely to appeal to the casual buyer. I'm thinking now that it exists only to profit from unsuspecting customers who randomly choose it on Amazon.
E. Boyd Smith was an American writer and illustrator (but born in Canada) who lived from 1860-1943, and the original illustrated version of this book was published in 1906 (according to the bio on Amazon). I imagine the original color illustrations were extraordinary, and in its time, the genuine version was likely a valuable treasure. The cover of this thin paperback hints at how nice the illustrations once were, though one can still take issue with the European look of Pocahontas. Unfortunately, the illustrations inside the book have all been reduced to roughly 3 and 1/2 X 5 inches for this archive version, and they're all now in grayscale. Many details in the images are difficult to see, as they've been shrunk down so much. Each chapter of the book is in small type and takes up a half page, with one small grayscale illustration on each facing page.
The writing and story is notable for its anachronistic language. The first sentence of Chap. 2, about John Smith, goes "In far-away England was a doughty youth, John Smith, who dreamed of battle and adventure." I didn't know the word "doughty" and had to look it up (it means courageous, resolute, valiant).
As one would expect from a book written over 100 years ago, the content would never pass today's notions of political correctness, portraying John Smith as a "gallant soldier.". Chapter 1, which introduces Pocahontas, says, "She was a child of nature, and the birds trusted her and came at her call." Wow. I wonder if the Disney movie used this book as a reference? Unsurprisingly, the rescue scene is intact and told without irony. When Pocahontas dies in this book, she is merely overcome by sudden weakness and falls quietly asleep.
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Check out the e-book version of the E. Boyd Smith book, The Story of Pocahontas and Captain John Smith, in all its glory on Project Gutenberg! The illustrations are fantastic (though dated)! (Link added Dec. 4, 2017)
by E. Boyd Smith
Houghton Mifflin Company (2015) reduced size paperback edition based on the original illustrated version published in 1906
ISBN-9781514325612
Free e-book at Project Gutenberg
The original book by E. Boyd Smith is excellent, mainly due to the fantastic artwork. This paperback version, however, is unusual, and unlikely to appeal to the casual buyer. I'm thinking now that it exists only to profit from unsuspecting customers who randomly choose it on Amazon.
E. Boyd Smith was an American writer and illustrator (but born in Canada) who lived from 1860-1943, and the original illustrated version of this book was published in 1906 (according to the bio on Amazon). I imagine the original color illustrations were extraordinary, and in its time, the genuine version was likely a valuable treasure. The cover of this thin paperback hints at how nice the illustrations once were, though one can still take issue with the European look of Pocahontas. Unfortunately, the illustrations inside the book have all been reduced to roughly 3 and 1/2 X 5 inches for this archive version, and they're all now in grayscale. Many details in the images are difficult to see, as they've been shrunk down so much. Each chapter of the book is in small type and takes up a half page, with one small grayscale illustration on each facing page.
The writing and story is notable for its anachronistic language. The first sentence of Chap. 2, about John Smith, goes "In far-away England was a doughty youth, John Smith, who dreamed of battle and adventure." I didn't know the word "doughty" and had to look it up (it means courageous, resolute, valiant).
As one would expect from a book written over 100 years ago, the content would never pass today's notions of political correctness, portraying John Smith as a "gallant soldier.". Chapter 1, which introduces Pocahontas, says, "She was a child of nature, and the birds trusted her and came at her call." Wow. I wonder if the Disney movie used this book as a reference? Unsurprisingly, the rescue scene is intact and told without irony. When Pocahontas dies in this book, she is merely overcome by sudden weakness and falls quietly asleep.
__________________
Check out the e-book version of the E. Boyd Smith book, The Story of Pocahontas and Captain John Smith, in all its glory on Project Gutenberg! The illustrations are fantastic (though dated)! (Link added Dec. 4, 2017)
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Pocahontas: Young Peacemaker (Childhood of Famous Americans)
by Leslie Gourse; illustrated by Meryl Henderson Aladdin Paperbacks; Simon & Schuster (1996) ISBN-9780689808081 Lexile measure 660L; grade level 4-6; age range 8-12 Oh, man. This book is why I should write a paper on children's books about Pocahontas. I feel like the author tried hard to include all the relevant, known history about Pocahontas, and she even managed to cast some doubt on the John Smith rescue, saying it may have been a hoax. She also tried to represent the Powhatan side of things, frequently featuring Powhatan voicing his concerns about the English without making him appear stupid or afraid. On the other hand, the outlook is always cheerfully supportive of the English colonizers and their motives, which I suppose it had to be, or it would never have been published in this series for children on "Famous Americans." There are many things to criticize, such as how Pocahontas "felt equally comfortable with the English and her own people" and how she happily agreed to serve as the colony's representative to London, saying "That's a wonderful idea. ... I'd be honored to go." Ultimately, I can't see Native Americans being pleased with the book, but it does have some nuance, and tries to be accurate and balanced in its 20th century way. I rank it maybe fourth, after the Elisa Carbone, Jean Fritz and Shannon Zemlicka books. There's a historical point I need to research, which is why books from this era seem to think Pocahontas interacted with John Smith even before his famous rescue scene. I've seen that in other books as well (see Doherty above). This is a historically doubtful aspect of this book, as it implies that Pocahontas was already friends with Smith, which is why she supposedly rescued him. |
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Pocahontas
by Caryn Jenner DL Readers; Beginning to Read Alone Level 2 (2000) ISBN-9780756656119 Lexile measure 290; grade level 1-2; age range 6-7 This is a large type book meant for very young readers. It's another one of those books that assumes Pocahontas met regularly with the colonists right from the moment they landed. It then, somewhat more accurately, sticks to the bare bones of the commonly told Pocahontas story. The John Smith rescue and second rescue are told as literal truth. Pocahontas and the English colonists are all portrayed as enthusiastic and happy. Only the Powhatan warriors appear to be perpetually angry and distrustful. Pocahontas is portrayed as the peaceful mediator. She goes from being kidnapped, to being dressed in "heavy" English clothes to going to church with her new English friends in the blink of an eye. Because the book is for young readers, the book avoids most controversy. However, it does mention the Indians wanting to attack and kill the English and John Smith. The kidnap by the English is glossed over, and other than that, there is little indication the English are in any way bad actors. In this telling, it's Pocahontas who wants to marry John Rolfe, not the other way around. She dies in the end, so it's faithful to the truth on that point. As with many books from this time period, the Sedgeford Hall Portrait incorrectly appears as an illustration of Pocahontas and Thomas Rolfe. The inside illustrations are colorful and have a comic book quality. They don't seem to be too culturally inaccurate, except for Pocahontas's hairstyle and clothing. The cover art, on the other hand, inexplicably uses very inaccurate, out-dated artwork with Plains Indian tepees and Aztec (?) costumes. Extremely weird choice of cover art, considering the quality of the art used inside. |
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Pocahontas: Princess of the New World
by Kathleen Krull; pictures by David Diaz Walker & Company, New York (2007) ISBN-9780802795540 This large, color illustration picture book for children is unique among the Pocahontas books reviewed here, as it seems to be a book for parents to read to their children, not really one that children are expected to read themselves, as the type is small and the vocabulary fairly challenging. The illustrations are stylized and attractive, with a kind of "paper-cut" quality to them. I rather like this one and rank it in the top tier, but of course, I have some issues. According to this book, Pocahontas had "powerful" arms from paddling her dugout canoe. She also avoided certain jobs that were beneath her status. The author accepts that Pocahontas saved John Smith twice, though the author at least leaves open the possibility that the first "rescue" was part of a role-play..The author believes she fell in love with John Rolfe and that she was furious with her father for not rescuing her. Clearly, much of this is conjecture, but it conforms fairly well with what many historians have offered. The author also qualifies the account by saying that we only have English sources, so there is room for doubt about almost everything. This book tells a very nuanced story, but I wonder if children can really follow the caveats, disclaimers and multiple viewpoints. On the other hand, those features are what make this book unique and valuable. |
Pocahontas and the Strangers
by Clyde Robert Bulla; illustrated by Peter Burchard
Scholastic Inc. (1971)
ISBN-0590434810
Lexile measure 370L; grade level 2-5; RL-4; age range 7-10
The Pocahontas in this fictionalized telling is willful and independent, and unceasingly openhearted towards the English strangers, despite her tribe's continued efforts to rein her in. I like that the author, almost 50 years ago, portrayed the Powhatan Indians as wary and foresighted, and with sympathy towards their plight. This is a good version of the story, especially for its time, told as much as possible from the imagined viewpoint of Pocahontas and the Indians. Most of the historical aspects of what we know appear intact (including some killings) and chronologically accurate. Nevertheless, there are some inaccuracies, and I have nitpicks as well as intermittent praise and shower thoughts.
The character, Hapsis, seems to be a human counterpart and forerunner to Disney's Willow. In this version, she's an old woman who first learned of the 'pale-faced' people when she lived in her birthplace 'far to the south' (meaning Roanoke). She was the 'Pocahontas' of her youth who learned English words, such as 'England', 'Virginia', and 'Indians'. She warns Pocahontas that the pale-faced strangers bring danger. Ironically, she is also the one to tell Pocahontas of the "law of the tribe" that states that if a prisoner is to be killed, a woman may say, 'Give me this man. He is mine.' Pocahontas later uses this knowledge to rescue John Smith.
Early on, Pocahontas displays her acceptance of the strangers, despite others in her tribe showing distrust: After the pale-faces are sighted, one Indian woman says, "They are ugly, with their pale skin and fox-eyes." "They are strange, but not ugly," said Pocahontas.
When Pocahontas sees the captive, John Smith, for the first time, she is instantly intrigued (or smitten). "She saw his face. It was half covered with golden hair. His eyes were blue. Never before had she seen a man's eyes that were blue." So, yeah, another case of Pocahontas falling for the blue-eyed Englishmen.
In this telling, Pocahontas, as the daughter of the chief, can freely access the tribe's storehouses and give orders to other children to carry large baskets of food to Jamestown. Together, they rescue the colonists from starvation. (p. 68). Obviously, in reality, it couldn't have happened this way, not least of all because of the great distance between Powhatan's dwelling and Jamestown.
In this version, John Smith promises to take Pocahontas across the sea to England. Apparently, this early dream and broken promise to travel abroad foreshadows her later voyage to England with John Rolfe and provides additional reason for Pocahontas to choke up when John Smith eventually arrives at the Rolfe home in England.
According to this book, when John Smith has taken Indian prisoners (the ones who tried to steal some axes and tools), he says he will release them on the condition that Pocahontas comes to retrieve them. This is not historically accurate, as we believe it was Powhatan's idea to send Pocahontas with some of his men to ask for the prisoners' return, perhaps as a reminder of his daughter's role in Smith's earlier being granted freedom instead of death.
Despite the intermittent historical inaccuracies and the sometimes questionable interpretations, I rather like this book. We don't know what Pocahontas's motivations were, but this portrayal of her as an independent though naive actor with an exceptional heart of gold make her actions seem reasonable from the English side. On the other hand, from a Native American viewpoint, this portrayal shows what happens when a headstrong youth fails to heed the wise council of adult Indians, who clearly know best.
by Clyde Robert Bulla; illustrated by Peter Burchard
Scholastic Inc. (1971)
ISBN-0590434810
Lexile measure 370L; grade level 2-5; RL-4; age range 7-10
The Pocahontas in this fictionalized telling is willful and independent, and unceasingly openhearted towards the English strangers, despite her tribe's continued efforts to rein her in. I like that the author, almost 50 years ago, portrayed the Powhatan Indians as wary and foresighted, and with sympathy towards their plight. This is a good version of the story, especially for its time, told as much as possible from the imagined viewpoint of Pocahontas and the Indians. Most of the historical aspects of what we know appear intact (including some killings) and chronologically accurate. Nevertheless, there are some inaccuracies, and I have nitpicks as well as intermittent praise and shower thoughts.
The character, Hapsis, seems to be a human counterpart and forerunner to Disney's Willow. In this version, she's an old woman who first learned of the 'pale-faced' people when she lived in her birthplace 'far to the south' (meaning Roanoke). She was the 'Pocahontas' of her youth who learned English words, such as 'England', 'Virginia', and 'Indians'. She warns Pocahontas that the pale-faced strangers bring danger. Ironically, she is also the one to tell Pocahontas of the "law of the tribe" that states that if a prisoner is to be killed, a woman may say, 'Give me this man. He is mine.' Pocahontas later uses this knowledge to rescue John Smith.
Early on, Pocahontas displays her acceptance of the strangers, despite others in her tribe showing distrust: After the pale-faces are sighted, one Indian woman says, "They are ugly, with their pale skin and fox-eyes." "They are strange, but not ugly," said Pocahontas.
When Pocahontas sees the captive, John Smith, for the first time, she is instantly intrigued (or smitten). "She saw his face. It was half covered with golden hair. His eyes were blue. Never before had she seen a man's eyes that were blue." So, yeah, another case of Pocahontas falling for the blue-eyed Englishmen.
In this telling, Pocahontas, as the daughter of the chief, can freely access the tribe's storehouses and give orders to other children to carry large baskets of food to Jamestown. Together, they rescue the colonists from starvation. (p. 68). Obviously, in reality, it couldn't have happened this way, not least of all because of the great distance between Powhatan's dwelling and Jamestown.
In this version, John Smith promises to take Pocahontas across the sea to England. Apparently, this early dream and broken promise to travel abroad foreshadows her later voyage to England with John Rolfe and provides additional reason for Pocahontas to choke up when John Smith eventually arrives at the Rolfe home in England.
According to this book, when John Smith has taken Indian prisoners (the ones who tried to steal some axes and tools), he says he will release them on the condition that Pocahontas comes to retrieve them. This is not historically accurate, as we believe it was Powhatan's idea to send Pocahontas with some of his men to ask for the prisoners' return, perhaps as a reminder of his daughter's role in Smith's earlier being granted freedom instead of death.
Despite the intermittent historical inaccuracies and the sometimes questionable interpretations, I rather like this book. We don't know what Pocahontas's motivations were, but this portrayal of her as an independent though naive actor with an exceptional heart of gold make her actions seem reasonable from the English side. On the other hand, from a Native American viewpoint, this portrayal shows what happens when a headstrong youth fails to heed the wise council of adult Indians, who clearly know best.
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In Their Own Words: Pocahontas
by George Sullivan Scholastic Reference (2001) ISBN-9780439165853 Lexile measure 680L; grade level 3-7; age range: 8-12 Unlike the graded readers and children's books above, this book is not in the form of a historical novel, but rather a straight reference-type history for young people. It sticks very closely to the commonly reported records on Pocahontas, which means the voices of the original chroniclers, John Smith and William Strachey, are at the forefront. Because this book came out before the revisionist works of Rountree, Gunn Allen and Townsend, the colonizer slant appears rather strong in comparison. That said, this book is one I would recommend, with reservations. Readers should understand that Native Americans aren't well represented. Nevertheless, most of the basic known facts about Pocahontas emerge without too much embellishment. There is an anachronistic error, in that this book, like many that came before it, claims that the Sedgeford Hall Portrait is of Pocahontas and Thomas Rolfe. However, we learned in 2010, roughly 9 years after the publication of this book, that the portrait is not of Pocahontas at all. Of course, we should also consider some of the claims of John Smith to be suspect, but this book accepts most of them without skepticism. On the plus side, it does mention the various interpretations of the John Smith rescue, including the possibility that it didn't happen at all. It's funny that this book is found in a series called "In Their Own Words," since Pocahontas left no words of her own. Every word attributed to her comes second-hand. This book will not appeal to young children; it's more of a junior high, early high school book. I rate it as "not bad." |
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Pocahontas: A Life in Two Worlds
by Victoria Garrett Jones
Sterling Biographies (2010)
ISBN-9781402751585
Lexile Measure 1230L; age range 10-18+
This is one of the recommended treatments of Pocahontas, but of course, I will nitpick on several points. Published in 2010, it's a mini-encyclopedia style biography of Pocahontas combined with a general summary of the Jamestown story. It aims to be a factual telling of the story, but with a few claims that go beyond what we can actually say with certainty. There are color illustrations on almost every page, which should please the junior high level students it's aimed at. For those unwilling to tackle Price's Love & Hate or Horn's A Land as God Made It, this book offers a concise summary of the Jamestown story that even adults can enjoy. The book is tilted toward the Eurocentric side of the story, but it tries to present the Powhatan viewpoint with sympathy. Following are the negatives, though I'd like to emphasize that this is not a bad book. Just be aware of these issues:
Illustrations
This book has a great selection of illustrations that would be fantastic if viewed in a coffee table-size format, but because it's paper-back size, some of the detailed illustrations are almost un-viewable. I can't imagine junior high school kids can understand what is going on in those detailed engravings when reduced to a few inches square. On the other hand, the images break up the pages and give the book a reader-friendly feel, even if the tiny images can only hint at what's happening. Too, the front cover is something of a mystery. It's apparently an imagined portrait of Pocahontas by the artist, Michael Haynes. Books on Pocahontas tend to rely on the historical images that we have come to associate with her, but this cover image is unique, though unrecognizable. No explanation is given to indicate that the portrait, though realistic in style, is of a random Native American-like woman and is not actually based on Pocahontas's likeness. And one last point; this book, like many others, features the Sedgeford Hall Portrait (actually a poor copy of it; p. 101), which we now know is NOT Pocahontas and her son, Thomas. The timing of this book's publication is unfortunate in that regard, as the news of the portrait's true subjects came out in 2010, the same year as this book's publication.
A contradiction ...
The author says on p. 81 that in Pocahontas's last (pre-abduction) visit to Jamestown, she was treated with indifference as she inquired about the recently departed John Smith:
Yet later, when Pocahontas is abducted and returned against her will to Jamestown, the author states:
We are left to wonder how her status could have improved so much during her 4 year absence. I also take issue with the statement that Powhatan "had little to fear. with regard to his daughter's safety."
Speculative information
Because so little is known about Pocahontas, most authors make informed guesses to fill in the gaps. However, to the casual or first time reader, it may be difficult to separate what is known for sure from what is created by the author, as well-intentioned as the assertions may be. The speculative information in this book is no worse than in others, but since I am recommending it, I will devote some space to identifying two speculative areas.
Pocahontas was devastated by the (false) news of John Smith's death.
First, absolutely nothing is known about her life during this period. Second, this passage way overstates what we can "safely assume" about Pocahontas's feelings. This is the story Americans like to tell themselves, but actually, no one knows what she felt. Most speculation about her feelings comes from the John Smith account of their meeting in England shortly before her death. If we take that account at face value and read between the lines, we can give some credence to this speculation. However, it's equally possible that Smith exaggerated her level of shock upon meeting him. I do, however, admit that Smith's account has the 'ring of truth,' to it, due to its generally making Smith look bad.
Pocahontas was single when she was abducted.
This speculation is probably based on her marriage to John Rolfe in 1614, where no mention is made of Kocoum. Some would say rather that the colonists simply disregarded any previous marriage on the grounds that it would have been a pagan union, whereas the Rolfe marriage was blessed by Christian ceremony. Anyway, Pocahontas's marital status at the time of her abduction is unknown. She may have been married, possibly to Kocoum, or she may have been single. No one knows for sure.
There are numerous other instances of speculative writing, but since they generally don't deviate much from what other writers have offered up, I won't belabor it here. Just be aware that the author goes beyond what is actually known about Pocahontas on several occasions.
by Victoria Garrett Jones
Sterling Biographies (2010)
ISBN-9781402751585
Lexile Measure 1230L; age range 10-18+
This is one of the recommended treatments of Pocahontas, but of course, I will nitpick on several points. Published in 2010, it's a mini-encyclopedia style biography of Pocahontas combined with a general summary of the Jamestown story. It aims to be a factual telling of the story, but with a few claims that go beyond what we can actually say with certainty. There are color illustrations on almost every page, which should please the junior high level students it's aimed at. For those unwilling to tackle Price's Love & Hate or Horn's A Land as God Made It, this book offers a concise summary of the Jamestown story that even adults can enjoy. The book is tilted toward the Eurocentric side of the story, but it tries to present the Powhatan viewpoint with sympathy. Following are the negatives, though I'd like to emphasize that this is not a bad book. Just be aware of these issues:
Illustrations
This book has a great selection of illustrations that would be fantastic if viewed in a coffee table-size format, but because it's paper-back size, some of the detailed illustrations are almost un-viewable. I can't imagine junior high school kids can understand what is going on in those detailed engravings when reduced to a few inches square. On the other hand, the images break up the pages and give the book a reader-friendly feel, even if the tiny images can only hint at what's happening. Too, the front cover is something of a mystery. It's apparently an imagined portrait of Pocahontas by the artist, Michael Haynes. Books on Pocahontas tend to rely on the historical images that we have come to associate with her, but this cover image is unique, though unrecognizable. No explanation is given to indicate that the portrait, though realistic in style, is of a random Native American-like woman and is not actually based on Pocahontas's likeness. And one last point; this book, like many others, features the Sedgeford Hall Portrait (actually a poor copy of it; p. 101), which we now know is NOT Pocahontas and her son, Thomas. The timing of this book's publication is unfortunate in that regard, as the news of the portrait's true subjects came out in 2010, the same year as this book's publication.
A contradiction ...
The author says on p. 81 that in Pocahontas's last (pre-abduction) visit to Jamestown, she was treated with indifference as she inquired about the recently departed John Smith:
- "Although some at the settlement knew who the young woman was, they did not welcome her. To those newly arrived from England, she was simply another Indian. Any attempts to establish friendly relations with Powhatan and his nation had ended with the departure of John Smith." (p. 81)
Yet later, when Pocahontas is abducted and returned against her will to Jamestown, the author states:
- "In actuality, Powhatan had little to fear with regard to his daughter's safety. Pocahontas, being what amounted to the daughter of Tidewater royalty, had become something of a celebrity among the colonists." (p. 92).
We are left to wonder how her status could have improved so much during her 4 year absence. I also take issue with the statement that Powhatan "had little to fear. with regard to his daughter's safety."
Speculative information
Because so little is known about Pocahontas, most authors make informed guesses to fill in the gaps. However, to the casual or first time reader, it may be difficult to separate what is known for sure from what is created by the author, as well-intentioned as the assertions may be. The speculative information in this book is no worse than in others, but since I am recommending it, I will devote some space to identifying two speculative areas.
Pocahontas was devastated by the (false) news of John Smith's death.
- "After being told of John Smith's death and walking out of the Jamestown settlement, Pocahontas had no contact with the colonists for several years. Not much is known about events in her life during this period. Regardless, it is safe to assume that Pocahontas felt tremendous grief over the likelihood of Smith's death . No matter what their relationship--adopted siblings, friends, or something more--he had been an enormously important presence in her life, and his loss must have been heart-wrenching for the young woman." (p. 82)
First, absolutely nothing is known about her life during this period. Second, this passage way overstates what we can "safely assume" about Pocahontas's feelings. This is the story Americans like to tell themselves, but actually, no one knows what she felt. Most speculation about her feelings comes from the John Smith account of their meeting in England shortly before her death. If we take that account at face value and read between the lines, we can give some credence to this speculation. However, it's equally possible that Smith exaggerated her level of shock upon meeting him. I do, however, admit that Smith's account has the 'ring of truth,' to it, due to its generally making Smith look bad.
Pocahontas was single when she was abducted.
- "Since no husband was in evidence when Pocahontas next came in contact with the English, it is assumed that her marriage had ended--either by mutual agreement or because of Kocoum's death." (p. 82, 83)
- "Regardless of how long Pocahontas's first marriage lasted, in the spring of 1613, she was a single woman living about one hundred miles to the north of Jamestown among the Patawomeck people." (p. 83)
This speculation is probably based on her marriage to John Rolfe in 1614, where no mention is made of Kocoum. Some would say rather that the colonists simply disregarded any previous marriage on the grounds that it would have been a pagan union, whereas the Rolfe marriage was blessed by Christian ceremony. Anyway, Pocahontas's marital status at the time of her abduction is unknown. She may have been married, possibly to Kocoum, or she may have been single. No one knows for sure.
There are numerous other instances of speculative writing, but since they generally don't deviate much from what other writers have offered up, I won't belabor it here. Just be aware that the author goes beyond what is actually known about Pocahontas on several occasions.
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Young Pocahontas in the Indian World
by Helen Rountree Printed by J & R Graphic Services Inc. (1995) ISBN-0964872706 I respect Helen Rountree as the foremost authority on Powhatan history and anthropology and have read and 'reviewed' several of her books.. She was kind enough to correspond with me by email, though not about this book. That said, I am rather unenthusiastic about this particular work. It's kind of illustrative of the problem of telling the Pocahontas story while trying to stick to what we actually know. We have so few details about Pocahontas's early years that there just isn't much to be said. Plus, Rountree made the editorial choice to end the story before the marriage of Pocahontas to Rolfe and their voyage to England, saying "all of that is another story." What's left is unlikely to appeal to many children, for whom this book is presumably aimed. Rountree, relying on her anthropological research, devotes almost the whole book (52 pages) to telling how a girl of 11 or 12 would have passed her time in her Powhatan village in each of the growing seasons. For example, in early summer, she would have helped search for edible greens and gather firewood. In late summer, she would have gone out in early morning to harvest corn with her mother, Later in the day, she would have watched the village women make clay pots. Like this, most of the book is devoted to daily Powhatan life. If your child is a budding anthropologist, or writing a report on Powhatan culture, this book may work for you. It's certainly got a unique angle, and it avoids the romantic speculation that I've criticized in most of the books appearing on this page. On the other hand, if you're looking for the truth about Pocahontas, you may be disappointed to learn that the reality is so mundane. Consider this a very 'niche' selection. I suppose it deserves credit for dispelling some of the myths. |
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First People: The Early Indians of Virginia
by Keith Egloff & Deborah Woodward University of Virginia Press (1992, 2006) ISBN-9780813925486 This book seems to be for junior high and high school students who are writing reports on the Virginia Indians, and one imagines it on the shelves of every public school in the Commonwealth. It's a reference book, so it's not exactly a page-turner, but it contains adequate, simply written information on the native populations of Virginia from 15,000 years ago to the present day. The chapter on European Contact contains a 9-page summary of the Jamestown/Powhatan story. The chapter on Virginia Indians Today tells a bit about each of the 8 tribes that remain. At 96 pages, including the lists and resources at the end, it's a quick read. |
Blood on the River
by Elisa Carbone
Puffin Books (2006)
ISBN-9780142409329
Lexile Measure 820L; age range 12-16
A historical novel for young adults told from the point of view of the servant boy, Samuel Collier, this is one of the best versions of the Jamestown and Pocahontas stories. It is fictionalized, but stays mostly faithful to real events that were recorded by the original chroniclers. It is respectful of the Indians and shows the mistakes and negative aspects of the colonists. Pocahontas makes a few appearances, but her part is fairly minor. The book may be a little too admiring of John Smith, and the imagined words of Pocahontas don't always ring true, but generally, I give this book high marks for being both an interesting read and a fairly accurate portrayal of the Jamestown story as we understand it. I like how Carbone avoids making an omniscient dramatization of the Pocahontas rescue of John Smith by having Smith tell of the event to his servant, the narrator, Samuel Collier. By doing so, Smith maintains his actual role an 'unreliable narrator', which leaves open the possibility that Smith's account is not 100% accurate. We are told later (by Namontack) that the event was a ritual with Pocahontas as a participant. For students who are studying American colonization in history class, this book would make great supplemental reading. Of the historical novels on this page, this is the one to get for readers within the recommended age range.
by Elisa Carbone
Puffin Books (2006)
ISBN-9780142409329
Lexile Measure 820L; age range 12-16
A historical novel for young adults told from the point of view of the servant boy, Samuel Collier, this is one of the best versions of the Jamestown and Pocahontas stories. It is fictionalized, but stays mostly faithful to real events that were recorded by the original chroniclers. It is respectful of the Indians and shows the mistakes and negative aspects of the colonists. Pocahontas makes a few appearances, but her part is fairly minor. The book may be a little too admiring of John Smith, and the imagined words of Pocahontas don't always ring true, but generally, I give this book high marks for being both an interesting read and a fairly accurate portrayal of the Jamestown story as we understand it. I like how Carbone avoids making an omniscient dramatization of the Pocahontas rescue of John Smith by having Smith tell of the event to his servant, the narrator, Samuel Collier. By doing so, Smith maintains his actual role an 'unreliable narrator', which leaves open the possibility that Smith's account is not 100% accurate. We are told later (by Namontack) that the event was a ritual with Pocahontas as a participant. For students who are studying American colonization in history class, this book would make great supplemental reading. Of the historical novels on this page, this is the one to get for readers within the recommended age range.
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Pocahontas - True Princess
By Mari Hanes (1995) Multnomah Books ISBN-9780880708739 With cover art reminiscent of “Dick and Jane”, a pet otter in place of Disney’s raccoon, and a decidedly Christian slant (Multnomah is a Christian books publisher), this is one of the more 'quaint' versions of the Pocahontas story. Much is made of Pocahontas turning away from devil worship and embracing Jesus Christ as her redeemer; "... Jesus died on the cross so we ourselves don't have to make any blood sacrifices" p. 136. Heavily fictionalized, the book features both questionable Powhatan culture (birchbark canoes, human sacrifice, Pocahontas a member of the 'Algonquian tribe') and doubtful Jamestown history (a sympathetic Percy, Pocahontas present at Jamestown for most significant events, her tending to the ill settlers like an Indian Florence Nightingale p. 92, her banishment to Potomac for betraying her father p. 111), Some aspects of culture and history, though, are accurate enough. As a story, it’s readable, but anyone not specifically seeking a Christian slant should probably avoid it. This is another book that I suspect inspired Custalow & Daniel to publish their ‘corrective’ but equally mythical version of the Pocahontas story. One point that makes me smile is that the author chose to make Pocahontas's mother Potomac (Patawomeck) p. 111. While not necessarily accurate, the Patawomecks are one of the Powhatan tribes that currently claim Pocahontas. This detail in the book helps counter recent misinformation about Pocahontas’s tribal identity, which is often falsely said to be Mattaponi. To be clear, the actual tribe of Pocahontas is unknown and could be Patawomeck, Mattaponi, Pamunkey or any of the original 30+ tribes identified in the first years of Jamestown.. |
The Princess Pocahontas
by Virginia Watson (1916)
The first thing anyone should know about this book for young adults is that it was written in 1916 and is in the public domain. As such, it is available as an e-book for free on Amazon and Project Gutenberg. The HTML version on Project Gutenberg even has an author introduction that somehow didn't make it into the rip-off, page numberless, no illustration paper edition that I acquired (cover at right; don't buy this one!). The next thing worth knowing is that the writing style will seem annoyingly outdated to some readers, as the author chose a vaguely Elizabethan Era vocabulary of 'thees" and 'thous' for the characters, including the Indians. Here's Nautauquas calling out to Pocahontas: "Matoaka, whither goest thou?" That said, this fictionalized Pocahontas story was actually pretty progressive for its time, as the Indians were treated sympathetically and given as much depth of character as the colonizers. The legendary rescue is here, unsurprisingly, and while it follows many of the historical events, there are numerous errors and embellishments. I'm not sure why anyone would choose to buy this book now in the 21st Century, but it has some merit as an example from its era. All things considered, it's not horrible for a free book that is long past its sell-by date. On the other hand, I may be overly accepting of this offering, having been exposed to so many fictional versions of Pocahontas's life. I guess I've become somewhat immune to the outrageous imaginings and willing to award it a handicap for the time in which it was written.
by Virginia Watson (1916)
The first thing anyone should know about this book for young adults is that it was written in 1916 and is in the public domain. As such, it is available as an e-book for free on Amazon and Project Gutenberg. The HTML version on Project Gutenberg even has an author introduction that somehow didn't make it into the rip-off, page numberless, no illustration paper edition that I acquired (cover at right; don't buy this one!). The next thing worth knowing is that the writing style will seem annoyingly outdated to some readers, as the author chose a vaguely Elizabethan Era vocabulary of 'thees" and 'thous' for the characters, including the Indians. Here's Nautauquas calling out to Pocahontas: "Matoaka, whither goest thou?" That said, this fictionalized Pocahontas story was actually pretty progressive for its time, as the Indians were treated sympathetically and given as much depth of character as the colonizers. The legendary rescue is here, unsurprisingly, and while it follows many of the historical events, there are numerous errors and embellishments. I'm not sure why anyone would choose to buy this book now in the 21st Century, but it has some merit as an example from its era. All things considered, it's not horrible for a free book that is long past its sell-by date. On the other hand, I may be overly accepting of this offering, having been exposed to so many fictional versions of Pocahontas's life. I guess I've become somewhat immune to the outrageous imaginings and willing to award it a handicap for the time in which it was written.
Smith: John Smith and the Settlement of Jamestown (Exploring the World)
by Robin S. Doak
Compass Point Books
ISBN-9780756511494
Lexile Measure 870; age range 9-11
This 48-page illustrated children's book provides a positive summary of John Smith's life and accomplishments. One short chapter of 3 pages, 'A Legend is Born?' is devoted to the Pocahontas rescue story, but the book is squarely focused on John Smith, so Pocahontas is only of background importance. Unsurprisingly, the book is pretty favorable toward John Smith, though we learn that he had enemies among the settlers and was prone to bragging and exaggeration. His early exploits fighting the Turks, his firm hand in governing Jamestown, and his later efforts to form a settlement in New England are all covered.
There's probably little point in fact checking this book, but of course, I will. The book states that many legends grew up around Smith, notably the three duels he had with Turks that resulted in him defeating them and cutting off their heads. The author makes it sound like these legends were born in real time, with Smith becoming a living local hero. Actually, the 'legends' came about later because Smith himself revealed the stories of his exploits, in effect, creating his own legend. We also learn that Smith traveled throughout Africa (and Europe). I've heard this Africa reference elsewhere, but I can't find any evidence that he actually explored Africa. The Pocahontas rescue story is presented with skepticism, so that's a good thing. There is only a brief thought about the negative consequences of English colonization when the author writes, "Many of the Native Americans believed that the settlers had no right to live on their land." (p. 17). Indeed. Anyway, this Smith biography is OK for kids, provided you're willing to marginalize the Powhatan Indians and accept the unsurprisingly positive slant on Smith.
by Robin S. Doak
Compass Point Books
ISBN-9780756511494
Lexile Measure 870; age range 9-11
This 48-page illustrated children's book provides a positive summary of John Smith's life and accomplishments. One short chapter of 3 pages, 'A Legend is Born?' is devoted to the Pocahontas rescue story, but the book is squarely focused on John Smith, so Pocahontas is only of background importance. Unsurprisingly, the book is pretty favorable toward John Smith, though we learn that he had enemies among the settlers and was prone to bragging and exaggeration. His early exploits fighting the Turks, his firm hand in governing Jamestown, and his later efforts to form a settlement in New England are all covered.
There's probably little point in fact checking this book, but of course, I will. The book states that many legends grew up around Smith, notably the three duels he had with Turks that resulted in him defeating them and cutting off their heads. The author makes it sound like these legends were born in real time, with Smith becoming a living local hero. Actually, the 'legends' came about later because Smith himself revealed the stories of his exploits, in effect, creating his own legend. We also learn that Smith traveled throughout Africa (and Europe). I've heard this Africa reference elsewhere, but I can't find any evidence that he actually explored Africa. The Pocahontas rescue story is presented with skepticism, so that's a good thing. There is only a brief thought about the negative consequences of English colonization when the author writes, "Many of the Native Americans believed that the settlers had no right to live on their land." (p. 17). Indeed. Anyway, this Smith biography is OK for kids, provided you're willing to marginalize the Powhatan Indians and accept the unsurprisingly positive slant on Smith.
(C) Kevin Miller 2018
Last updated Oct. 14, 2019
Last updated Oct. 14, 2019