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Book Review By Rebecca Herman
A Journey to the New World by Kathryn Lasky

Remember Patience Whipple, called Mem, is a bit frightened at the thought of the New World her family is sailing to on the Mayflower. She hears tales of strange "feathered people" who will attack the settlers. But she has more immediate concerns - the dreadful Billington boys, who mercilessly tease Mem and her friend Hummy, the ever present seasickness, and the daily boredom during the long, tedious sea voyage. But once she arrives in the New World, things become even worse. During the long, cold first winter at Plymouth, many settlers become sick and die. Mem is frightened that her family might be next. When spring comes, she thinks they are safe - until her mother falls ill and dies. Mem struggles with finding the strength and courage to go on without her mother and to accept her future stepmother, quiet, sad Mistress Potts.


Plot & Themes
Tone of book? - thoughtful
Time/era of story - American colonial period
Family, caring for ill Yes
Who is sick? - Mother
because he/she is - physically ill
Is this an adult or child's book? - Age 11-14
Exploring into the wild Yes
kind of story - colonizing/settling in new area

Main Character
Gender - Female
Profession/status:
Age: - a kid
Ethnicity/Nationality
Unusual characteristics:

Main Adversary
Identity: - natural phenomena
How sensitive is this character?

Setting
How much descriptions of surroundings? - 4 ()
United States Yes
The US: - Northeast
Forest? Yes
Water? Yes
Water: - sail boat

Writing Style
Amount of dialog - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
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