What I've Read This Week Part II

What I've Read This Week Part II . . .

My Lady Pocahontas by Kathleen V. Kudlinski -- Young Adult Historical Fiction

We all know some version of the story of Pocahontas saving John Smith, but the true story of the daughter of the Powhatan chieftan is lost to history. This novel aimed at older teens and adults imagines the gaps in the story of Pocahontas. When the reader first meets Pocahontas, she's a mischievous woman-child of about 12. She enlists the aid of Nuttagwon, a girl from another tribe to help her spy on the strangers that have come to the shores of Virginia. The two girls become heroes to the Powhatan for the knowledge they bring of the strangers. Nuttagwon is adopted into the royal family and given a new name, Neetah, meaning friend. Pocahontas believes that she has been given a vision to bring about peace between her people and the pale strangers and tries her hardest to get her father to trade with them. Neetah is more suspicious, thinking the strangers are smelly and rude, but she's a loyal friend to Pochontas and will remain by her friend's side as long as Pocahontas needs her. Neetah's loyalty will be tested time and time again as the relationship between the English and the Powhatan progresses and then degenerates. This is an emotional story that provides a vivid portrait of a real life historical figure through the eyes of a fictional friend. The author's extensive, hands-on research provides the rich details of this story (a far cry from Disney). The reader is taken into a world that's long gone and becomes a part of the Powhatan Confederacy along with Neetah. The author holds nothing back about life in the 17th century. Her strength is in the details about the largely unknown Powhatan culture, which she has based on modern scholarship and the traditions of Virginia Indians and other eastern Algonquin speaking people. Pochontas is a well-rounded character that the reader empathizes with as she is troubled by her visions and tries to do what she thinks is right, sometimes in spite of her father's wishes. The reader also comes to know and care about Neetah, the narrator of the story, as she struggles with her decisions to remain loyal to Pocahontas even though she really wants to return to her home in the hills, marry and have a family. The story is incredibly compelling and though I knew of Pochontas's untimely death, I was captivated by the story and eager to know what happened to Neetah (a fictional character). I couldn't put the book down though I did not like the unhappy ending (though I appreciate the historical accuracy). This book is unforgettable and I highly recommend it for people ages 14 and up, especially adults who may have an interest in Native cultures.