The Royal Diaries: Weetamoo

The book is one of the diary series, this one about a young Native American girl named Wetamoo. Since she could not read or write English, the entire diary is based on what the author believes the girl would have written about if she could actually write. The girl is factual, the diary, of course, fictional.

The diary part itself concerns the growing up of Weetamoo, who knew that one day she would become leader of her own small tribe. She doesn't behave very well, at least at first, but gradually grows in her behavior and wisdom. A lot of time is spent describing her daily live and the types of things that she and the other Native Americans would be doing and is, as such, extremely interesting.

As with the other stories in the series this one ties in actual events. In this case it concerns the Indians relation with the pilgrims at Pymouth (which is spelled Plimoth in the book). The seeds are sewn for trouble in later years as we see the greed of the colonists at work.

The second part of the book deals with actual historical events and the information contained could very well prove upsetting to some readers (as it should), and parents should be ready to discuss with their children the contents.

As positive as the first part of the book is, the second is negative. Information is given about the Native American/colonist wars and how many Native American women, children and old people were massacred. Weetamoo's own fate is tied in to this and what was done to her after her death was barbaric almost beyond belief. The way that the white settlers dealt with the Indians would have made the most jaded dictator blush with pride and envy.

Although this is a very well done book, it is a book which opens room for some very serious and potentially upsetting discussions.

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