About This Book
This Newbery Honor book tells the story of Sarah Noble, an eight-year-old girl who travels with her father to establish a new home in the Connecticut wilderness in the early 18th century. Sarah learns to overcome her fears, particularly when her father leaves her in the care of the local Schaghticoke people while he returns for the rest of their family. The book explores themes of courage, resilience, and adapting to new environments. Parents should be aware that while celebrated for its historical context and themes of bravery, the book, published in 1954, contains portrayals of Native Americans that are now widely considered stereotypical and problematic. It offers a valuable opportunity for discussion about historical perspectives and cultural representation.
An eight-year-old girl finds courage to go alone with her father to build a new home in the Connecticut wilderness, and to stay with the Indians when her father goes back to bring the rest of the family.
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Discussion Prompts
1
What does 'courage' mean to Sarah at the beginning of the story, and how does her understanding change by the end?
2
How do Sarah's feelings about the Schaghticoke people change throughout the book? What helps her overcome her initial fears?
3
The author wrote this story a long time ago. How might a story about Sarah and the Schaghticoke people be told differently today?
4
What challenges did pioneer families face when moving to a new place, and how did they show resilience?
5
Sarah's mother tells her to 'keep up your courage.' What are some things you can tell yourself when you feel scared or lonely?
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