Standing in the Light: The Captive Diary of Catharine Carey Logan

This is the diary of a girl living in 1763 North America. She's near the frontier area and thus Indian raids are somewhat of a concern. She and her brother end up being abducted by Lenape Indians and are chosen to take the place of children lost to two families due to the actions of the white men.

At first she totally refuses to cooperate or give in to the Indians way of life, but gradually she begins to adapt. Her brother, being even younger than her, adapts more quickly. Gradually she begins to learn that the Indians are not the savages that she was brought up to believe they were. Over time she learns many of the "Indian ways" of doing things and even falls for another member of the tribe who happens to be another white boy that had been abducted years before by the tribe.

She still misses her own home, though. Eventually, the actions of the British soldiers and other settlers lead to her being reunited with her parents, her experience leaving her with a much better understanding of the true nature of the Native Americans.

The book helps readers to understand that the Native Americans were not "uncivilized" by any means. Although they did not have the dependence on technology that the whites had they still led full, rich lives. They were also the victims of various programs of genocide (including the use of blankets infected with smallpox), and gradually had to keep giving way to the ever-advancing flow of white settlers and soldiers.

There is also the usual historical section with pictures and explanations and again, as with the other books in the series, this is an excellent one to read.


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