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rainys's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
noella_t's review
3.0
This is my first Dear America book and I wonder what the others are like. This was obviously written as a children's book or at least for 9-12 year-olds.
I'm very disappointed in that the main character Catharine falls into routine with her Indian captors and begins to identify with and sympathize with them. This is a time of war, many people she knows have been captured and killed by Indians.
Apparently in today's politically correct society the Stockholm syndrome is no longer valid.
From Wikipedia: "Stockholm syndrome, or capture-bonding, is a psychological phenomenon in which hostages express empathy and sympathy and have positive feelings toward their captors, sometimes to the point of defending and identifying with them. These feelings are generally considered irrational in light of the danger or risk endured by the victims, who essentially mistake a lack of abuse from their captors for an act of kindness. The FBI's Hostage Barricade Database System shows that roughly 8% of victims show evidence of Stockholm syndrome.
"Stockholm syndrome can be seen as a form of traumatic bonding, which does not necessarily require a hostage scenario, but which describes 'strong emotional ties that develop between two persons where one person intermittently harasses, beats, threatens, abuses, or intimidates the other.' One commonly used hypothesis to explain the effect of Stockholm syndrome is based on Freudian theory. It suggests that the bonding is the individual's response to trauma in becoming a victim. Identifying with the aggressor is one way that the ego defends itself. When a victim believes the same values as the aggressor, they cease to be a threat."
As beautifully written as this story is, it is still a story of a very young girl and her brother being kidnapped and taken captive by a group of Indians who have no plans to return her to her family until forced to do so.
The author has obviously cast the "white man" in a negative light ignoring the fact that evil resides in the hearts of all men - white, red, yellow or black. Bad things happen to good people without it always being the white man's fault.
I'm very disappointed in that the main character Catharine falls into routine with her Indian captors and begins to identify with and sympathize with them. This is a time of war, many people she knows have been captured and killed by Indians.
Apparently in today's politically correct society the Stockholm syndrome is no longer valid.
From Wikipedia: "Stockholm syndrome, or capture-bonding, is a psychological phenomenon in which hostages express empathy and sympathy and have positive feelings toward their captors, sometimes to the point of defending and identifying with them. These feelings are generally considered irrational in light of the danger or risk endured by the victims, who essentially mistake a lack of abuse from their captors for an act of kindness. The FBI's Hostage Barricade Database System shows that roughly 8% of victims show evidence of Stockholm syndrome.
"Stockholm syndrome can be seen as a form of traumatic bonding, which does not necessarily require a hostage scenario, but which describes 'strong emotional ties that develop between two persons where one person intermittently harasses, beats, threatens, abuses, or intimidates the other.' One commonly used hypothesis to explain the effect of Stockholm syndrome is based on Freudian theory. It suggests that the bonding is the individual's response to trauma in becoming a victim. Identifying with the aggressor is one way that the ego defends itself. When a victim believes the same values as the aggressor, they cease to be a threat."
As beautifully written as this story is, it is still a story of a very young girl and her brother being kidnapped and taken captive by a group of Indians who have no plans to return her to her family until forced to do so.
The author has obviously cast the "white man" in a negative light ignoring the fact that evil resides in the hearts of all men - white, red, yellow or black. Bad things happen to good people without it always being the white man's fault.
meaganmart's review
3.0
Captive narratives fascinated me as a child. I was pleased to see that Standing in the Light does a fair job of presenting the shortcomings of European settlers when discussing their dealings with the Native American people. It does not portray them as savages, it does not place all of the blame for the disintegration of the relationship between European settlers and Native Americans on their shoulders, and it paints a realistic picture of what life would have been like for a European settler that was taken into a Native American tribe and then had to try and reassimilate to "white" culture. Very interesting!
ryceejo's review
5.0
Still needing to read quick fiction in this stage of my life so I grabbed the first book from this series.
Wow.
The story, based on historical records between the Quakers and the Lenape, floored me. About partway through I was determined to sell my collection of these books, that they were too dismal in my already heavy world. But while the ending isn’t very happy (spoiler), I am deeply moved. I do not recall being taught about “The Walking Purchase” in school, and it’s a part of history I will not leave out when teaching my children. What an integral part of America’s history.
Scott read a great deal of the book over my shoulder because the plot was so captivating. Incredible execution of historical fiction, written by a very well respected author. I highly recommend adding this book to your middle and high school aged children’s reading lists. You may find yourself swept up in the plot too.
Such a sharp contrast from the BSC books I’d been binge reading.
Wow.
The story, based on historical records between the Quakers and the Lenape, floored me. About partway through I was determined to sell my collection of these books, that they were too dismal in my already heavy world. But while the ending isn’t very happy (spoiler), I am deeply moved. I do not recall being taught about “The Walking Purchase” in school, and it’s a part of history I will not leave out when teaching my children. What an integral part of America’s history.
Scott read a great deal of the book over my shoulder because the plot was so captivating. Incredible execution of historical fiction, written by a very well respected author. I highly recommend adding this book to your middle and high school aged children’s reading lists. You may find yourself swept up in the plot too.
Such a sharp contrast from the BSC books I’d been binge reading.
sleepygirlreads_'s review
3.0
It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't amazing. It was good. It gives us great insight on how everyone is pretty much the same, no matter what their skin color is. I think that is an important thing to add to child/preteen literature since it's easier to plant ideas and thoughts in the mind of child rather than an adult or teen.
(side note) The more history I learn, the more disappointed I am of the white English race. It is very sad how they treated other races. I'm ashamed.
All in all a good, quick read for wasting time.
(side note) The more history I learn, the more disappointed I am of the white English race. It is very sad how they treated other races. I'm ashamed.
All in all a good, quick read for wasting time.
prvteidaho's review
4.0
this one was much sadder than i remember, but i forgot how obsessed w these books i used to be in middle school i need to read more of them
jeneca's review
5.0
This was the first Dear America book I read. At first it was okay, but after she was captured it was extremely thrilling. I loved all of the details of everything... Basically, an AWESOME read.
omgyaynina's review
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Last week I reread this for the first time in probably 17 years. This was my absolute favorite book as a kid and into my teens.
I’m no longer the target audience so of course the plot was less developed than I had remembered, and the writing was more simplistic. I also snagged on some of the language used to discuss the indigenous people — although an accurate depiction of how settlers believed and behaved in that time period, it was cringe-inducing to read in 2023.
But ultimately Caty’s experience leads her to see her captors as equals, to empathize with them and feel affection for them, and to regret the settlers’ cruelty toward the indigenous people. The reader can’t help but arrive at the same conclusion. The experience alters Caty to such a degree that she’s never truly able to return to her life as it was before her capture, and similarly I wonder how much I was altered by my pre-teen obsession with this book. It likely helped shape who I am today.
Given that it’s a middle grade book (I think) and I’m an adult I don’t know exactly how to give this a star rating. But, this book will always have a special place in my heart.
Given that it’s a middle grade book (I think) and I’m an adult I don’t know exactly how to give this a star rating. But, this book will always have a special place in my heart.
readingmegan_'s review
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0