Who hasn’t heard of Pocahontas? She is likely the most prominent female Native American in North America. Even we Canadians to the North are familiar with the basic rudiments of her story and impact upon the settlement of the United States. Whether you were introduced to her through a full length animated feature film bearing the name her Father teasingly bestowed upon her (little mischief-maker); in school history lessons or through a historical fiction biography, you have no doubt encountered her. Have your children?

Author Wendy Lawton, also a renowned doll maker and literary agent, has crafted a brisk paced, educational and engrossing account of the girlhood of Pocahontas. The seventh in the Daughters of The Faith Series, The Captive Princess not only covers the culture of Pocahontas’ native people (the Powhatan tribe) and her major contributions to history, but also explores her conversion to Christianity. Made famous not only by her astounding bravery and courage displayed while saving John Smith’s life and her role in the provision of food for the struggling Jamestown settlement – she is also one of the first Native American converts to Christianity.

This engaging tale touches upon all of the major aspects of the Pocahontas story while blessedly steering clear of any inappropriate innuendos that some historical fiction dealing with this heroine becomes entangled in. My own first introduction to the story of Pocahontas was through a work of historical fiction, no doubt intended for adult readers, that was given to me as a gift as a preteen. Unfortunately it included conclusions based upon uncalled for speculation into the relationship between John Smith and Pocahontas and became quite graphic.

Memories of this past read haunted me from time to time as I read through this title, but thankfully, it is a very clean read, with no inappropriate or sensual suggestions at all. The Daughters of the Faith Series is aimed at Christian girls between the ages of 8 – 12, and I was blessed to find that I would feel comfortable sharing it with my young daughters without having to worry about unclean language or inferences.

During the first few chapters I made heavy use of the glossary of Powhatan words found in the back of the book until I became familiar with the most frequently used Powhatan words and expressions sprinkled infrequently throughout the text. I found the use of these words delightful, as I learned how some Powhatan words have become part of the English language, as we know it today. The development of Pocahontas’ native culture is depicted skillfully, and is naturally integrated into the story – woven throughout the day-to-day situations she finds herself in, without an emphasis on lengthy expository sequences. Lawton is an author that succeeds in drawing her readers into the story, and I read the entire book in one sitting.