Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Reviews of Calico Captive

Calico Captive
Calico Captive
Author: Elizabeth George Speare
ISBN-13: 9780618150762
ISBN-10: 0618150765
Publication Date: 10/29/2001
Pages: 288
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Rating:
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 18

4.1 stars, based on 18 ratings
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

5 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

reviewed Calico Captive on + 3561 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Beautiful Gift book.

In the year 1754, the stillness of Charlestown, New Hampshire, is shattered by the terrifying cries of an Indian raid. Young Miriam Willard, on a day that had promised new happiness, finds herself instead a captive on a forest trail, caught up in the ebb and flow of the French and Indian War.
It is a harrowing march north. Miriam can only force herself to the next stopping place, the next small portion of food, the next icy stream to be crossed. At the end of the trail waits a life of hard work and, perhaps, even a life of slavery. Mingled with her thoughts of Phineas Whitney, her sweetheart on his way to Harvard, is the crying of her sisters baby, Captive, born on the trail.
Miriam and her companions finally reach Montreal, a city of shifting loyalties filled with the intrigue of war, and here, by a sudden twist of fortune, Miriam meets the prominent Du Quesne family, who introduce her to a life she has never imagined. Based on an actual narrative diary published in 1807, Calico Captive skillfully reenacts an absorbing facet of history.
Ducky93 avatar reviewed Calico Captive on + 12 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This book was wonderful. The writing was gorgeous and the whole time period interesting. Do not mistake this book for meerly a childrens book, though it may be stocked at the childrens section at your library, it has all the charm to intrest the oldest adult. I loved this book so much, it was a stay up all nighter.
knightlight avatar reviewed Calico Captive on + 2 more book reviews
The main character in this book, Miriam, is first an Abenaki captive, then a french one, and then a prisoner. I think it was an alright book, but it didn't make a lot of sense, and it might have been better if the author focused on just one part of Miriam's life, like being a french captive, not all three at one time. It is a true story, so I suppose the author was trying to show how it affected Miriam. I don't really recommend this book.
JJWH avatar reviewed Calico Captive on + 32 more book reviews
Interesting story, set in 1754, a family was captured by Indians. Enduring hardships and slavery, clinging to hope, faith and then finding courage they didn't know they had, enjoyable.
reviewed Calico Captive on + 36 more book reviews
Early one morning in the year 1754 the stillness of Charlestown,New Hampshire, was shatterd by shrill war whoops and the terror of an indian raid.Young Mriiam Willard, on a day which had promised new happiness, found herself indtead a captive on a forest trail, caught up in the ebb and flow of the Freanch and Indian war.

It was a Harrowing march norht. Miram could only force herself to the next stopping place, the next small portion of food, the next icy stream to be crossed. What waits at the end of the trail-besides an Indian gauntlet and a life a slavery?