Calico Captive, Elizabeth George Speare
Calico Captive, Elizabeth George Speare
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Calico Captive

Author: Elizabeth George Speare

Narrator: Barbara Caruso

Unabridged: 6 hr 12 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Recorded Books

Published: 01/18/2013

Synopsis

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 sister’s 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.

About Elizabeth George Speare

""I was born in Melrose, Massachusetts, on November 21, 1908. I have lived all my life in New England, and though I love to travel I can't imagine ever calling any other place on earth home. Since I can't remember a time when I didn't intend to write, it is hard to explain why I took so long getting around to it in earnest. But the years seemed to go by very quickly. In 1936 I married Alden Speare and came to Connecticut. Not till both children were in junior high did I find time at last to sit down quietly with a pencil and paper. I turned naturally to the things which had filled my days and thoughts and began to write magazine articles about family living. Then one day I stumbled on a true story from New England history with a character who seemed to me an ideal heroine. Though I had my first historical novel almost by accident it soon proved to be an absorbing hobby."" Elizabeth George Speare (1908-1994) won the 1959 Newbery Medal for THE WITCH OF BLACKBIRD POND, and the 1962 Newbery Medal for THE BRONZE BOW. She also received a Newbery Honor Award in 1983, and in 1989 she was presented with the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award for her substantial and enduring contribution to children’s literature.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Heidi on October 18, 2023

One of my favorite books as a kid was Speare’s Witch of Blackbird Pond, so I thought it would be fun to pick up another of her books to read. While I admit to some wariness— just how would a book written 60 years ago hold up, especially when the book covers the kidnapping of white colonists by Nativ......more

Goodreads review by Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽ on July 11, 2015

Elizabeth George Speare is best known as the author of The Witch of Blackbird Pond, winner of the 1959 Newbury medal and a long-time favorite comfort read of mine, but I've never read any of her other books. But a few weeks ago one of my friends, Carol Storm, strongly recommended Calico Captive in h......more

Goodreads review by Lars on August 10, 2010

There's a good reason why 'Sign of the Beaver' and 'The Witch of Blackbird Pond' are so frequently assigned (over-assigned) in elementary school. Historical fiction is a staple of language arts classes. Elizabeth George Speare is at the top of the field. Besides teachers finding merit in the two boo......more

Goodreads review by Wendy on September 15, 2007

Problematic portrayal of American Indians, though it seems quite in keeping with the real feelings of the captives--based on the historical narrative--for what that's worth. I read this over and over as a child, especially savoring the descriptions of life in Montreal--the dishes, the furniture, the......more

Goodreads review by Deborah on May 22, 2015

Welcome to another episode of Deborah's Library Book Is Overdue! Today's special guest is a YA novel by Elizabeth George Speare, author of the modern classic The Witch of Blackbird Pond. Although Deborah read this book in a couple of hours and her library now allows her to renew books twice provided......more

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