Will Poole's Island

Reach for this book when your teenager is beginning to question the 'official' versions of history they have been taught or is struggling to balance their loyalty to their community with their own internal sense of justice. It is an ideal choice for the young person who feels like an outsider and is looking for a path that honors both their curiosity and their integrity. Set in 17th-century New England, the story follows Will Poole, a rebellious English youth who finds himself caught between the rigid, often hypocritical world of the Puritans and the profound, threatened culture of the Wampanoag people. Through Will's eyes, readers explore themes of spiritual awakening, the harsh realities of colonialism, and the transformative power of cross-cultural friendship. It is a sophisticated historical adventure that respects a teen's ability to handle moral complexity and the bittersweet nature of true growth.