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The Ransom of Mercy Carter
Deerfield, Massachusetts is one of the most remote, and therefore dangerous, settlements in the English colonies. In 1704 an Indian tribe attacks the town, and Mercy Carter becomes separated from the rest of her family, some of whom do not survive. Mercy and hundreds of other settlers are herded together and ordered by the Indians to start walking. The grueling journey -- three hundred miles north to a Kahnawake Indian village in Canada -- takes more than 40 days. At first Mercy's only hope is that the English government in Boston will send ransom for her and the other white settlers. But days turn into months and Mercy, who has become a Kahnawake daughter, thinks less and less of ransom, of Deerfield, and even of her "English" family. She slowly discovers that the "savages" have traditions and family life that soon become her own, and Mercy begins to wonder: If ransom comes, will she take it?
From the Hardcover edition.
From the Hardcover edition.
249 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2000
About the author
Caroline B. Cooney
142 books1,676 followersCaroline Cooney knew in sixth grade that she wanted to be a writer when "the best teacher I ever had in my life" made writing her main focus. "He used to rip off covers from The New Yorker and pass them around and make us write a short story on whichever cover we got. I started writing then and never stopped!"
When her children were young, Caroline started writing books for young people -- with remarkable results. She began to sell stories to Seventeen magazine and soon after began writing books. Suspense novels are her favorites to read and write. "In a suspense novel, you can count on action."
To keep her stories realistic, Caroline visits many schools outside of her area, learning more about teenagers all the time. She often organizes what she calls a "plotting game," in which students work together to create plots for stories. Caroline lives in Westbrook, Connecticut and when she's not writing she volunteers at a hospital, plays piano for the school musicals and daydreams!
- Scholastic.com
When her children were young, Caroline started writing books for young people -- with remarkable results. She began to sell stories to Seventeen magazine and soon after began writing books. Suspense novels are her favorites to read and write. "In a suspense novel, you can count on action."
To keep her stories realistic, Caroline visits many schools outside of her area, learning more about teenagers all the time. She often organizes what she calls a "plotting game," in which students work together to create plots for stories. Caroline lives in Westbrook, Connecticut and when she's not writing she volunteers at a hospital, plays piano for the school musicals and daydreams!
- Scholastic.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 198 reviews
February 2, 2012
It surprises me sometimes how very violent and graphic young adult stories can be. Books such as The Ransom of Mercy Carter is one of those novels that would have to be sanitized in order to escape an R rating if it were made into a movie.
And to sanitize such a book would be to take away the point of it. As much as I might hesitate to recommend to a sensitive young child a book that describes scalpings in detail and the sound of a tomahawk hitting a skull, I also appreciate that Caroline Cooney didn’t back away from the difficult nature of the story.
The Ransom of Mercy Carter is a novelization of a historical event in Massachusetts in 1704. It was a harsh, snowy February when Indians with French rifles attacked the settlement of Deerfield. They took more than 100 captives and began marching them 300 miles north to Canada. Most of the hostages were children. Of those, many were killed along the way because they could not keep up with the rigors of the march.
Eleven-year-old Mercy Carter is one of the survivors. She makes it to Montreal and waits for ransom to arrive that can reunite her with her British family. During the wait, she learns more about her Indian captors and begins an immersion into their culture that will leave her permanently changed.
One of the difficulties about writing about historic events is that much of the plot is out of the author’s hands. Cooney meticulously researched the fate of the captives and where each one of them ended up. She didn’t back away from the very harsh historical facts. The taking of the settlement was an act of war and war has never been pretty. Throw so many children into the mix and it is hard to feel aught but horror.
While Cooney doesn’t hesitate to show us the brutality of the Indians, she also manages to be sympathetic and to show us why some captives eventually turned down their ransom and chose to integrate with their Indian families. She explores how small pox and other diseases led to smaller and smaller Indian and French families even while British mothers were still producing a child every year. This created a tension in which children became highly desirable.
One of the strengths of The Ransom of Mercy Carter is Cooney’s raw honesty. She doesn’t give pat explanations or sanitize anyone’s actions. She doesn’t pretend that she understands why children would embrace new children and scorn a reunion with their birth families from whom they were violently torn. But she does give a pretty good rationale without ever getting overly sentimental or romanticizing the cultures of the Indians, French, or British.
That said, the novel is extremely intense. This is the sort of novel that should be approached with caution if you are prone to nightmares. It was not only the adults who were killed in the attack on the settlement or the march north. Many of those killed were children and babies. Even those who survived lived with a very real terror and the fear is palpable on every page. It is part of what makes the book so compelling, but it is also heart-breaking.
The Ransom of Mercy Carter is targeted at 9 to 14-year-olds, though as an adult I found it engaging. It is a quick read, but Cooney doesn’t over simplify or talk over the heads of her readers. Her 11-year-old narrator has a clear voice and speaks easily to her peers who read her words centuries after her death.
If you’re looking for a book that defies the predictable, The Ransom of Mercy Carter is worth your time. You may even walk away with new knowledge of the French-Indian War and the British settlements in America.
And to sanitize such a book would be to take away the point of it. As much as I might hesitate to recommend to a sensitive young child a book that describes scalpings in detail and the sound of a tomahawk hitting a skull, I also appreciate that Caroline Cooney didn’t back away from the difficult nature of the story.
The Ransom of Mercy Carter is a novelization of a historical event in Massachusetts in 1704. It was a harsh, snowy February when Indians with French rifles attacked the settlement of Deerfield. They took more than 100 captives and began marching them 300 miles north to Canada. Most of the hostages were children. Of those, many were killed along the way because they could not keep up with the rigors of the march.
Eleven-year-old Mercy Carter is one of the survivors. She makes it to Montreal and waits for ransom to arrive that can reunite her with her British family. During the wait, she learns more about her Indian captors and begins an immersion into their culture that will leave her permanently changed.
One of the difficulties about writing about historic events is that much of the plot is out of the author’s hands. Cooney meticulously researched the fate of the captives and where each one of them ended up. She didn’t back away from the very harsh historical facts. The taking of the settlement was an act of war and war has never been pretty. Throw so many children into the mix and it is hard to feel aught but horror.
While Cooney doesn’t hesitate to show us the brutality of the Indians, she also manages to be sympathetic and to show us why some captives eventually turned down their ransom and chose to integrate with their Indian families. She explores how small pox and other diseases led to smaller and smaller Indian and French families even while British mothers were still producing a child every year. This created a tension in which children became highly desirable.
One of the strengths of The Ransom of Mercy Carter is Cooney’s raw honesty. She doesn’t give pat explanations or sanitize anyone’s actions. She doesn’t pretend that she understands why children would embrace new children and scorn a reunion with their birth families from whom they were violently torn. But she does give a pretty good rationale without ever getting overly sentimental or romanticizing the cultures of the Indians, French, or British.
That said, the novel is extremely intense. This is the sort of novel that should be approached with caution if you are prone to nightmares. It was not only the adults who were killed in the attack on the settlement or the march north. Many of those killed were children and babies. Even those who survived lived with a very real terror and the fear is palpable on every page. It is part of what makes the book so compelling, but it is also heart-breaking.
The Ransom of Mercy Carter is targeted at 9 to 14-year-olds, though as an adult I found it engaging. It is a quick read, but Cooney doesn’t over simplify or talk over the heads of her readers. Her 11-year-old narrator has a clear voice and speaks easily to her peers who read her words centuries after her death.
If you’re looking for a book that defies the predictable, The Ransom of Mercy Carter is worth your time. You may even walk away with new knowledge of the French-Indian War and the British settlements in America.
September 17, 2016
This was definitely an interesting read.
Years ago I read the Dear America book that covered this topic (Standing in the Light), and so I already knew the general topic and direction the book was going in- namely, that the captive children would be assimilated into the tribe's culture and society and would not come home.
I will say, though, that if you have read that book and are coming to this one- this book is a much more mature take on the subject of captive children being assimilated into Native culture during the 18th century. With the Dear America counterpart, it was much more obvious as to why Catherine (the main character) is enjoying life with the Native Americans, and why their lifestyle and culture would have appealed towards Quaker/Puritan children (Catherine was Quaker, Mercy is Puritan).
This book goes a lot more deeply into the moral ambiguity and gray area surrounding the children's assimilation: and I don't know if that was the author's intention, or if it was just a byproduct of the fact that she based this off of actual historical events.
People are killed in this book. Parents, children, babies. At one point . In many ways, this book does a really good job of making you question why the children would make the decision to stay with people who literally murdered members of their families and communities, whilst still understanding why Mercy is finding herself at home with the Native family she comes to live with. While it's easy to understand why Mercy is adapting the way she is, the situation still has a sort of Stockholm Syndrome-y feel about it.
The thing I think I have to give the author kudos for is that she wrote a book that paints a much more nuanced, realistic, and (frankly) darker picture of a subject that, in my experience between reading on the subject and having learned about it in school, tends to get boiled down to "children taken by Native Americans during these raids often didn't want to come home because they liked it better there than back at their stuffy old Puritan homes".
Years ago I read the Dear America book that covered this topic (Standing in the Light), and so I already knew the general topic and direction the book was going in- namely, that the captive children would be assimilated into the tribe's culture and society and would not come home.
I will say, though, that if you have read that book and are coming to this one- this book is a much more mature take on the subject of captive children being assimilated into Native culture during the 18th century. With the Dear America counterpart, it was much more obvious as to why Catherine (the main character) is enjoying life with the Native Americans, and why their lifestyle and culture would have appealed towards Quaker/Puritan children (Catherine was Quaker, Mercy is Puritan).
This book goes a lot more deeply into the moral ambiguity and gray area surrounding the children's assimilation: and I don't know if that was the author's intention, or if it was just a byproduct of the fact that she based this off of actual historical events.
People are killed in this book. Parents, children, babies. At one point . In many ways, this book does a really good job of making you question why the children would make the decision to stay with people who literally murdered members of their families and communities, whilst still understanding why Mercy is finding herself at home with the Native family she comes to live with. While it's easy to understand why Mercy is adapting the way she is, the situation still has a sort of Stockholm Syndrome-y feel about it.
The thing I think I have to give the author kudos for is that she wrote a book that paints a much more nuanced, realistic, and (frankly) darker picture of a subject that, in my experience between reading on the subject and having learned about it in school, tends to get boiled down to "children taken by Native Americans during these raids often didn't want to come home because they liked it better there than back at their stuffy old Puritan homes".
February 4, 2023
Where have I been that I haven’t found Cooney before this? This book is so sensitively written, so character-driven, that I wish to go on a Cooney binge. Excellent Young Adult literature (yes it uses the word ‘Indian’, but I don’t believe we can learn from history if we always erase it) that allows exploration of themes like loyalty to several cultures, and growing a faith that is sturdy yet pliable enough to exist when we’ve lost all else. Beautifully handled.
July 20, 2015
Mercy is a child, just old enough to care for her four brothers and a sister. Then the Indians come, different tribes recruited by the French to wage war on the Puritan community of Deerfield, MA. The Indians' mission: to capture the children and march them clear to Canada. In the dead of winter.
Mercy is determined to survive. First for her younger sister, Mara. And after Mara’s death, for the boy, Daniel. And then . . .
Mercy must survive for herself. And strangely for the family that cares for her: her Kahnawake family. Or is she wrong? Is she just a slave? But if she is, why would they protect her? And if she cares for them back, is she betraying her English parents and everyone who died during the attack?
The Ransom of Mercy Carter is an intense, fast-paced drama about an incredible journey, a physical one and more importantly an emotional one. Caroline B. Cooney’s storytelling is brutal, honest, and challenging. A fascinating, multi-faceted look at a real historical event. So GOOD.
Mercy is determined to survive. First for her younger sister, Mara. And after Mara’s death, for the boy, Daniel. And then . . .
Mercy must survive for herself. And strangely for the family that cares for her: her Kahnawake family. Or is she wrong? Is she just a slave? But if she is, why would they protect her? And if she cares for them back, is she betraying her English parents and everyone who died during the attack?
The Ransom of Mercy Carter is an intense, fast-paced drama about an incredible journey, a physical one and more importantly an emotional one. Caroline B. Cooney’s storytelling is brutal, honest, and challenging. A fascinating, multi-faceted look at a real historical event. So GOOD.
March 12, 2008
I have learned to be cautious about books featuring Native Americans written by non-Natives, and I don't know enough to judge this one on that basis, however Caroline Cooney has written a fascinating story about a young "English" girl who is captured by Native Americans. Her struggle with her identity is heart-wrenching at times, and hard to put down. In an author's note at the end, Cooney gives the reader documentation about historical figures that are featured in the story, including many of the "English" children and their captors.
March 21, 2020
The Ransom of Mercy Carter was a very good book. I really liked how the book was based on real life events. I was surprised about Mercy's decision at the end. ~ Lizzie :)
April 27, 2023
What I liked:
- I really liked the fact that this really happened and that it was based on a true story. It made everything seem so real!
- The characters were great, especially Ruth and Ebenezer.
- It was written in a quick, simple and nice style. It was also a short book, which I was looking for.
- I liked the first half especially!
What I disliked:
- It was a bit too sad sometimes in my opinion. I know most of this really happened but I think too many people died.
- Mercy was eleven! She acted more like a fifteen or sixteen year old, also with children of her own age...
- The ending. I had hoped and expected that it would end with Mercy being with her family and dad and see all her brothers again. It was like a sad-happy ending
Overall somewhere between 3 and 4 stars but I've rounded it up to 4.
- I really liked the fact that this really happened and that it was based on a true story. It made everything seem so real!
- The characters were great, especially Ruth and Ebenezer.
- It was written in a quick, simple and nice style. It was also a short book, which I was looking for.
- I liked the first half especially!
What I disliked:
- It was a bit too sad sometimes in my opinion. I know most of this really happened but I think too many people died.
- Mercy was eleven! She acted more like a fifteen or sixteen year old, also with children of her own age...
- The ending. I had hoped and expected that it would end with Mercy being with her family and dad and see all her brothers again. It was like a sad-happy ending
Overall somewhere between 3 and 4 stars but I've rounded it up to 4.
April 13, 2021
"The Ransom of Mercy Carter" by Caroline Cooney is a fine example of colonial American historical fiction. It centers around the 1704 Deerfield, MA Indian attacks and the resulting mass abductions. I enjoyed the way Cooney utilizes real events from history to advance her narrative. She also has a gift for era detail. "Mercy Carter" features a unique perspective that readers will find fresh and entertaining. I surely recommend this book for anyone who appreciates Native American pre-revolution history or stories that feature strong female protagonists.
September 29, 2008
Mercy Carter along with others from her town are kidnapped by the Indians and are taken from their New England home to Canada. There the captives are divided up some to the French and others go to the Indians. Mercy is sent to the Indians. She at frist tries to remain true to her family and Purtain ways. Mercy holds out for the hope of being ransom but, as months drag by and she gets use to the Indian ways she finds it harder and harder to resist the lure of their kindness to her and tempetion to give in to and become Indian. Her confusion grows as to how God wants her to be and where does her loyalty lie as she begins to realize there is more than one side to war.
A powerful examiation of a young girl torn between conflicting identies. Although the story is focused on Mercy stories of her felow captives and their reactions are also delt with. The story is complex and does not favor one side or the other but, shows the complexity involved in war. Mercy and the other captives are in a very complex sitution. Reciveing kindness, love, and acceptance from the very people that have murdered their families. How do you choose what is right and what is wrong. The story is based on a true incident and the captives are real people and their choices they made.
The story seems to well researched and well crafted. Cooney once again shows her great talent at showing how complex idenity and family ties are. Another great story to add to the Indian captive library.
A powerful examiation of a young girl torn between conflicting identies. Although the story is focused on Mercy stories of her felow captives and their reactions are also delt with. The story is complex and does not favor one side or the other but, shows the complexity involved in war. Mercy and the other captives are in a very complex sitution. Reciveing kindness, love, and acceptance from the very people that have murdered their families. How do you choose what is right and what is wrong. The story is based on a true incident and the captives are real people and their choices they made.
The story seems to well researched and well crafted. Cooney once again shows her great talent at showing how complex idenity and family ties are. Another great story to add to the Indian captive library.
August 13, 2023
I've read multiple books about Indians capturing/kidnapping white settlers. But this is the first one that made me ask the age old question "Do two wrongs make a right?" Of course we know all the about the history of New England settlers and native Americans it's been told to death over and over. But some stories not told are what happened to some of the captives and a lot of it isn't nice among the things a lot of them became slaves to different tribes or in this book's timeline case the French. After spending many months with the Mohawk Indians are title character Mercy is put in many situations where she is away from the village when the settlers come for ransom so that the Indians can keep her in the village.
One of the settlers actually voices her frustrations saying "you've taken my family my name and now you try to take my language?!" And of course far left extreme liberal would start ranting about the injustices against native Americans but then the circle comes back does the native Americans taking white settler children make the wrongs done to them right?
Maybe I'm overthinking this you want to know what I thought the book.
Well as you can see by the star review I actually like this book I liked it way better than Indian Captive but I say ride the wind is still a better book mainly do to the more detail it provides.
One of the settlers actually voices her frustrations saying "you've taken my family my name and now you try to take my language?!" And of course far left extreme liberal would start ranting about the injustices against native Americans but then the circle comes back does the native Americans taking white settler children make the wrongs done to them right?
Maybe I'm overthinking this you want to know what I thought the book.
Well as you can see by the star review I actually like this book I liked it way better than Indian Captive but I say ride the wind is still a better book mainly do to the more detail it provides.
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May 10, 2012Jessica Broockerd
Historical Fiction
Young Mercy Carter, along with many children from her town of Deerfield, MA, are taken in an Indian raid and forced to march the long trails into Canada. Mercy, along with a few others, are adopted by a tribe of Indians who live along a river fairly close to a French settlement, while others are given to French families or the convent. Mercy writes in her journal about the hardships in her new life, her eventual adaptation to her new life, and the feelings and decisions she must go through when ransom arrives.
A story based on real events, The Ransom of Mercy Carter is a portrait of a young girl growing into a young woman under very different circumstances.
Historical Fiction
Young Mercy Carter, along with many children from her town of Deerfield, MA, are taken in an Indian raid and forced to march the long trails into Canada. Mercy, along with a few others, are adopted by a tribe of Indians who live along a river fairly close to a French settlement, while others are given to French families or the convent. Mercy writes in her journal about the hardships in her new life, her eventual adaptation to her new life, and the feelings and decisions she must go through when ransom arrives.
A story based on real events, The Ransom of Mercy Carter is a portrait of a young girl growing into a young woman under very different circumstances.
February 23, 2017
5/5 stars. Another amazing Caroline B. Cooney book. I loved it. This novel may be marketed at a young audience but if Carey's strong adult themes; such as family, your place in the world, morality, making choices and friends. I would have finished this book much earlier but life got in the way. The character of Mercy Carter was very strong and independent. She had to struggle through many hardships, and over them. Also, this is based on a true story. There are two pages at the end of the books that tell what happened to all of the characters. This will help me in my book, research wise. The writing was poetic and well written. The plot had me guessing and the ending did surprise me. Overall, this is a definite favorite, a reread and I would recommend it for all readers.
August 17, 2009
Mercy Carter is an 11 year old English settler who, along with her whole town, has been taken prisoner by Native Americans. Through her eyes we see how everyone is treated and what she is thinking about her abduction and how she slowly grows to accept and even care for her new Native Family after they adopt her. I enjoy reading books about or involving Native Americans although I usually prefer to read the ones set before the English and other European settlers came, this one was written finely for the teen audience. A nice afternoon read with an interesting perspective
August 17, 2008
An interesting historical novel based upon a true story concerning the kidnapping of an entire village of mostly children with some women and a handful of men by an Indian tribe during the 1600's. Interesting piece of not-well-known history of the relations between the French and Indians in the early history of the U.S.
December 18, 2008
This is an excellent historical fiction novel based on a real event. The characters are very well done--I have read other books by Caroline Cooney and she really tells a good tale.
It would be appropriate for any reader--boy or girl--from age 11 up.
It would be appropriate for any reader--boy or girl--from age 11 up.
March 12, 2017
Every time I read this, something new pops out at me. This time it was Mercy: What a gutsy, courageous character she is, and her huge capacity for forgiveness and survival. I felt how conflicted she was, and the pain her choices caused her. So good.
January 1, 2017
OK -- at best. I don't like when the author repeats the person's name over and over, on every single page; in this case, Mercy. I consider that no better than a filler. True story or not, it's elementary and borderline boring.
December 9, 2015
Like I said, have to read this for school -_-. It was pretty boring until the end, which was pretty interesting I guess. Hopefully will be able to read more soon
July 31, 2018
I could have sworn my library had a hard copy of this, so idk why this is a little paperback. I would see this on the shelf growing up, and for some reason I never read it.
The description sucked me in!!
It's weird to have the date and place on the top of the pages.
My whole review didn’t fit, (that hasn’t happened in a while!) where I wrote everything down, the good and the bad, so I’ll have to do a broad review here.
I didn’t really like the alternating POV. I wasn’t expecting them &it could be confusing.
At times the writing was graphic and gross. Like about the woman who was scalped, and no one would want to marry her, because they wouldn’t want a skull on the pillow next to them.
There’s some pretty tragic deaths along the way. With killing that woman’s Indian husband (so sad!) to killing babies, children, and adults along the way.
I thought Mercy’s transition from being scared and sort of hating the Indians, to asking her captor’s name and wanting to learn Indian words happened too fast. I know she was trying to save Eben, and help him learn Indian words and make him valuable so they wouldn’t kill him. he would have been the first to die, because he killed one of their warriors. but that should have been vocalized more, because Mercy seemed to really enjoy learning Indian words. She also caught on very fast. It seemed unbelievable how fast she caught on, and could speak complete sentences.
Ruth was sort of funny in the beginning, a spitfire character who didn’t back down. I liked when she stood up for Joanna, and threw her pack down &frying pans, and the Indians seemed mesmerized by her display, and didn’t try to stop her. &then she goes charging to the front of the line, and the Indians step back, knowing she doesn’t know the way to Canada.
There were a surprising number of humorous things in here, which kept things lively. Humor always keeps my attention.
Back when I thought this was a romance book, I just loved reading ‘her Indian’ carving a hole in the snow for her to sleep in, because most of the people slept on the ground. I liked reading about the things they might have done on the trail; like Eben’s captor tying a string to his hand so that if he moves in the night, he’ll know it.
The ages should have been said immediately. I had no idea how old Eben was for a long time.
I didn’t like all the religious stuff in here, like thinking the capture was God’s punishment for their sins. Sigh. I always hate crazy historical religious views (&modern ones). It was said throughout the book, by the preacher, Ruth, Mercy, etc. It was tiring and annoying that they thought they were being punished. I understand thinking God is angry because you don’t hate your captors, and you’re learning your language and integrating yourself into their culture.
I found the Indian names to be hard to pronounce: Tannhahorens.
Eben realized the Indians were deciding who would make good captives, because being the property of an Indian was an honor.
His indian's name was Thorakwaneken.'
There were Mohawk, Abenaki and Huron. I didn't know that.
That's so sad Ebenezer's toes froze, and he could either limp or give up. He said with a smile, guess I'll limp.
I’ve heard that before where you have to run between two rows of Indians while they club you to death to avenge their dead.
'It was a sun for this land to lie vacant. God expected men to use their talents, not bury them, and He expected land to be used, not buried beneath trees. Every field of corn, every fence and gate, every ax against a tree: These turned wilderness into England.'
Tannhahorens gives Mercy the name Munnonock. Everything is so hard to pronounce! 'It occurred to him that the real name of this 11 yr old had a terrible power: mercy. The Indians might show mercy to her and she, in turn, might show mercy to them.'
I didn't really understand that.
Ebenezer was the third to be named, first Ruth, then Mercy.
'English women had babies all the time--six in this family; twelve in that. But Indian women hardly ever had more than one or two. And the smallpox that had ravaged Boston last year had probably done worse to the Indians; it always did.'
'It would be a sin to find a cross beautiful. Religion must be heart and soul, not scraps of metal.'
Oh boy.
"my name is Ruth" and mercy says "your name is Mahakemo." I know she's trying to stay alive but her anger has seemed to completely vanish, and she seems happy of her vocab. & with her Indian.
It's annoying how they have to haul Ruth around like she's a child. She comes across as a grown, middle aged woman.
Eben goes from hating the Indians, to proud of using a bow and arrow to hunt a rabbit.& plans on learning to canoe and trap beaver.
It was interesting to learn that the French and Indian border wars were about beaver. Who trapped and made money from the fur.
I'm utterly sick of Ruth, and wish she wasn't a character. Here I thought her feelings are about to change. She's hanging over the cliff, and instead of wanting to die and be spared her miserable fate that she's literally done nothing to complain about. Her Indian grabs her, and instead of being thankful, she starts yelling and then shoved him over the cliff. 'He fell soundlessly over the precipice.' Sometimes this author quickly brushes over death, like she doesn't want to touch it.
After she pushes him from the cliff, then she thinks of bible verses about loving your enemy. Where has that been the whole book?!
Weird views on religion drive me crazy. They think the priest is going to hell because he's wearing jewels, and is moving his hand in a circular motion.
She said Indian didn't have beards. My dad said the same thing years ago!
This author is putting graphic things in, but then brushes over it. 'The woman stood over a trench, lifted her skirt and made water.' Say she peed!!
Pregnant women weren't supposed to scream during childbirth or their baby would turn into a coward.
'But catholic souls were dammed. A baptism from Father Meriel would be worse than letting the baby die unbaptized!'
I'm surprised the Indians are lazy. I figured they'd be hard-working and busy.
I was shocked to learn wives lived apart from their husbands. Crazy!
She belonged to Tannhahorens. His wife Nistenha. He's married?!?!
'&when Mercy went to sleep at night on her plank bed, the married couples did not sleep, but did what married couples did. Right there, in front of everybody, while fire still lit the room. The men went home when they were done.' Whoa! Like dances with wolves.
'As long as we refuse to be Indian, when ransom comes, the Indians will take their money and shrug. Do not let yourself matter to them! And do not dare betray your real family by letting the Indians matter to you!" Maybe this is a good idea!
-mercy has some really mature moments. 'In any language, then, and for any people, home was beautiful.'
-children didn't do chores in Kahnawake.
'A boy among Indians was special. He was a person who would become a man.'
Most Kahnawake could speak 6 languages: Mohawk, Abenaki, Huron, French, Latin and English.
Wow, the temperature is 75 degrees! I've been looking forward to it climbing.
Interesting insight: 'Deerfield man didn't risk much plowing a field. A Kahnawake man risked everything going into a cave to rouse a sleeping bear.'
'Mercy also knew that they were not living in ordinary Indian ways. Her Indians were Frenchified. They were Catholic.'
'Mohawks had a great ability to place themselves elsewhere,leaving their bodies to wait out the events around them.'
I can't believe Eben had to run the gauntlet. & I can't believe he lived through it.
Sarah is to be wed to a Frenchman. She said Pierre "thinks I am beautiful" and Eben told her "you ARE beautiful." I had hoped they would get married.
This is so sweet!! 'It turned out that Eben Nims believed otherwise. Eben was looking at Sarah in the way every girl prays some boy will one day look at her. "I will marry you, Sarah," said Eben. "I will be a good husband. A Puritan husband. Who will one day take us both back home." "I love you, Sarah," said Eben. "I've always loved you."
If this author ruins this, I'll scream.
'If Nistenha was not interested in Sarah and Eben's plight, no Indian would be.'
I'm so sick of this. Every time they speak Indian, someone's telling them to stop. Every time she's speaking with friends or family, it doesn't last long.
Thank God mercy was able to do something. She said that Sam could build canoes and she could make speeches. 'Mercy gave the flowery thanks required after such gifts.' Wish we could hear what it was!
-that's nice that her Indian protected her and Joseph when Mr Williams was upsetting them. & the warriors came up behind them in support.
-Sadagaewadeh the chief said that when Mr Williams came he made Munnonock cry and that he might make Aongote cry too.
I like how she's shown NA culture and how she's appreciated it. The way the men's voices sounded when they sang at Mass. The drums during the dances.
'Tannhahorens was a very successful hunter and trapper, and his wife had fine adornments.'
I can't believe she was about to steal Nistenha's jewelry, and then she shows up and gives her the cross and silver brackets.
'Indians had strong taboos about women. Men would not be with their women if they were going hunting or having important meetings, and certainly not when going off to war. She had never heard of an Indian man forcing himself on a woman.'
She tries to buy passage on a French ship, pulls out the cross. Naturally the sailors are lechers. Tannhahorens suddenly appears, I didn't even know he went with them.
-'he bent until he could look directly into her eyes, something Indians did not care for as a rule.'
Nistenha said "much depends on you" and then Tannhahorens said "you are our hope for sons and daughters to come. On you much depends."
Warriors would go into dens, jab the bear and get it to come out so they could shoot it. Whoever poked the bear would keep it's claws.
Are you kidding?! Tannhahorens was killed a bear?! WTF is this author thinking?!?
'A bear had avenged the Carter family, while Mercy had not.' R u telling him a bear attacking him was revenge for him killing your family?!
Just a few pages earlier she set the Indians set sins down, then she said 'but Indians set worry down.' It was repetitive.
They sell Ruth because she didn't let Mercy mourn her father. & the story of how she pushed the Indian off the cliff was told.
This author seems to have a lot of knowledge of Indians, though.
The Indians stand still& don't fidget. They diluted the tobacco with dried sumac leaves so the boy didn't cough during his adoption ceremony.
'O Ruth! she thought. O Mother. Father. God. I have forgiven.' That was a big moment.
'I don't understand adoptions myself. I wouldn't want to be a father to somebody else's son. But the French and the Indians have run out of children. They love to pretend we're their children."
They aren't pretending, thought Mercy. Annisquam's mother and father were not pretending. Annisquam is their son.'
"It's different for me than it is for the three of you, though. Nobody in my Indian family attacked Deerfield. You and Mercy and Joanna deal with men who actually killed somebody in your family, but I'm just with Indians who bought me. It's easier." Then he says he's going home one day. Wouldn't it be harder for ppl who were with their family's killers?
Another big moment when she talks to Annisquam.
'Food was for eating and children were for joy.'
I can't believe they deliberately had all those white captives leave to avoid being ransomed.
'Among Indians, your body was your own. Others could not interfere with it.'
I'm surprised she stayed with the Indians.
OMG this is a real story?!?
She ended up marrying an Indian.
Her brother Benny was ransomed in 1706.
Samuel stayed Indian but died in the St Lawrence river.
John, who became Jean Chartier, married Marie Courtemanche, and had 11 children.
Ruth was ransomed in 1707.
Eben Nims and Sarah Hoyt were ransomed in 1714.
Mr Williams was ransomed, but not Eunice, who stayed with the Mohawks and married Arosen.
Sally and Benjamin had a second child on the voyage home after being ransomed.
Joseph stayed with the French and Indian, was possibly the first New Englander to reach the Mississippi in 1710. And went home to Massachusetts in 1716, and was the Indian interpreter for army forts on the frontier.
Joanna and Rebecca married Indians.
Eliza married a Frenchman and stayed in Canada.
Nobody knew what happened to Daniel.
OMG the author has a great-great something grandmother from massuchsettes named Welcome Mason. Her nephew ransom was a descendant of John Gillett, mentioned in the book.
Mr Williams saw Eunice eventually but she didn't accept ransom.
Thorakwaneken was the name of the grandson Eunice Williams. Tannhahorens was the owner of Mr Williams, instead of Mercy.
I wonder what Mercy's owners name was.
That's so sad her dad moved to Connecticut and had left a large sum of money to Mercy and her Indian family if they'd come to live with them.
Mercy's brother Benny moved to Connecticut. Mercy's half-Indian sons visited their uncle. So mercy remembered her family and told her children about them. But mercy chose to live there.
I'm shocked she left her father behind.
After the French government agreed that every prisoner could go home, Queen Anne's War, some captives still refused.
Some captives said no to their families. Joseph Kellogg, redeemed in 1713, went back to French Canada in 1718 to coax Rebecca and Joanna. They refused. He tries ten years later and Rebecca went with him but Joanna refused.
Many Indians who had to give up their children later visited them in Deerfield, the place they once burned. They camped in the fields and went to church with adults that once lived with then as children.
Indians visited the Sheldon so often they asked boston to help pay for feeding them.
'Benjamin Franklin wrote that Indians have a 'life of ease, of freedom from care and labor...all wants supplied by nature." Indians visit boston, he added, and "see no reason to change. Going Rambling is so much more fun." Ben Franklin wondered which life was better--an indian's or a settler's--and answered himself, "Too much care and pain is necessary to support our type of life."
She chose to believe Mercy stayed out of love. Me too.
I was left feeling torn, oddly dissatisfied that she didn't go back to her family. Probably because I hoped this would be a romance novel, and that she'd get with Tannhahorens. So after I found out he was married, and especially after he died, I guess I didn't care if she left.
Also, finding out she ended up marrying an indian, I'm really unclear as to why that didn't happen here. I could see why she wanted to cover the capture, the long trek to Canada, but she could have fast forwarded through a lot of that. & skipped a couple years or however long, and then show us a romance between her and who she marries.
-This book would have been a lot better with some romance in it.
Based on the cover, it looks like they're both the main characters, and like it could be a romance book. Idk why he was even on the cover if they weren't going to end up together, and especially since he dies. I'm confused by it.
I saw several reviews on the writing , but I actually thought the writing was pretty good. There were times I was really interesting in reading, and in seeing where the book went. Other times were annoying, and repetitive, what with Ruth, the religious parts, etc. Overall, it wasn't bad, but it could have been a lot better.
-Final note: there should have been more space between the last line of the book and the page numbers. Because they were so close, at times I'd finish reading a sentence, and then read a number, because it looked like they were together.
The description sucked me in!!
It's weird to have the date and place on the top of the pages.
My whole review didn’t fit, (that hasn’t happened in a while!) where I wrote everything down, the good and the bad, so I’ll have to do a broad review here.
I didn’t really like the alternating POV. I wasn’t expecting them &it could be confusing.
At times the writing was graphic and gross. Like about the woman who was scalped, and no one would want to marry her, because they wouldn’t want a skull on the pillow next to them.
There’s some pretty tragic deaths along the way. With killing that woman’s Indian husband (so sad!) to killing babies, children, and adults along the way.
I thought Mercy’s transition from being scared and sort of hating the Indians, to asking her captor’s name and wanting to learn Indian words happened too fast. I know she was trying to save Eben, and help him learn Indian words and make him valuable so they wouldn’t kill him. he would have been the first to die, because he killed one of their warriors. but that should have been vocalized more, because Mercy seemed to really enjoy learning Indian words. She also caught on very fast. It seemed unbelievable how fast she caught on, and could speak complete sentences.
Ruth was sort of funny in the beginning, a spitfire character who didn’t back down. I liked when she stood up for Joanna, and threw her pack down &frying pans, and the Indians seemed mesmerized by her display, and didn’t try to stop her. &then she goes charging to the front of the line, and the Indians step back, knowing she doesn’t know the way to Canada.
There were a surprising number of humorous things in here, which kept things lively. Humor always keeps my attention.
Back when I thought this was a romance book, I just loved reading ‘her Indian’ carving a hole in the snow for her to sleep in, because most of the people slept on the ground. I liked reading about the things they might have done on the trail; like Eben’s captor tying a string to his hand so that if he moves in the night, he’ll know it.
The ages should have been said immediately. I had no idea how old Eben was for a long time.
I didn’t like all the religious stuff in here, like thinking the capture was God’s punishment for their sins. Sigh. I always hate crazy historical religious views (&modern ones). It was said throughout the book, by the preacher, Ruth, Mercy, etc. It was tiring and annoying that they thought they were being punished. I understand thinking God is angry because you don’t hate your captors, and you’re learning your language and integrating yourself into their culture.
I found the Indian names to be hard to pronounce: Tannhahorens.
Eben realized the Indians were deciding who would make good captives, because being the property of an Indian was an honor.
His indian's name was Thorakwaneken.'
There were Mohawk, Abenaki and Huron. I didn't know that.
That's so sad Ebenezer's toes froze, and he could either limp or give up. He said with a smile, guess I'll limp.
I’ve heard that before where you have to run between two rows of Indians while they club you to death to avenge their dead.
'It was a sun for this land to lie vacant. God expected men to use their talents, not bury them, and He expected land to be used, not buried beneath trees. Every field of corn, every fence and gate, every ax against a tree: These turned wilderness into England.'
Tannhahorens gives Mercy the name Munnonock. Everything is so hard to pronounce! 'It occurred to him that the real name of this 11 yr old had a terrible power: mercy. The Indians might show mercy to her and she, in turn, might show mercy to them.'
I didn't really understand that.
Ebenezer was the third to be named, first Ruth, then Mercy.
'English women had babies all the time--six in this family; twelve in that. But Indian women hardly ever had more than one or two. And the smallpox that had ravaged Boston last year had probably done worse to the Indians; it always did.'
'It would be a sin to find a cross beautiful. Religion must be heart and soul, not scraps of metal.'
Oh boy.
"my name is Ruth" and mercy says "your name is Mahakemo." I know she's trying to stay alive but her anger has seemed to completely vanish, and she seems happy of her vocab. & with her Indian.
It's annoying how they have to haul Ruth around like she's a child. She comes across as a grown, middle aged woman.
Eben goes from hating the Indians, to proud of using a bow and arrow to hunt a rabbit.& plans on learning to canoe and trap beaver.
It was interesting to learn that the French and Indian border wars were about beaver. Who trapped and made money from the fur.
I'm utterly sick of Ruth, and wish she wasn't a character. Here I thought her feelings are about to change. She's hanging over the cliff, and instead of wanting to die and be spared her miserable fate that she's literally done nothing to complain about. Her Indian grabs her, and instead of being thankful, she starts yelling and then shoved him over the cliff. 'He fell soundlessly over the precipice.' Sometimes this author quickly brushes over death, like she doesn't want to touch it.
After she pushes him from the cliff, then she thinks of bible verses about loving your enemy. Where has that been the whole book?!
Weird views on religion drive me crazy. They think the priest is going to hell because he's wearing jewels, and is moving his hand in a circular motion.
She said Indian didn't have beards. My dad said the same thing years ago!
This author is putting graphic things in, but then brushes over it. 'The woman stood over a trench, lifted her skirt and made water.' Say she peed!!
Pregnant women weren't supposed to scream during childbirth or their baby would turn into a coward.
'But catholic souls were dammed. A baptism from Father Meriel would be worse than letting the baby die unbaptized!'
I'm surprised the Indians are lazy. I figured they'd be hard-working and busy.
I was shocked to learn wives lived apart from their husbands. Crazy!
She belonged to Tannhahorens. His wife Nistenha. He's married?!?!
'&when Mercy went to sleep at night on her plank bed, the married couples did not sleep, but did what married couples did. Right there, in front of everybody, while fire still lit the room. The men went home when they were done.' Whoa! Like dances with wolves.
'As long as we refuse to be Indian, when ransom comes, the Indians will take their money and shrug. Do not let yourself matter to them! And do not dare betray your real family by letting the Indians matter to you!" Maybe this is a good idea!
-mercy has some really mature moments. 'In any language, then, and for any people, home was beautiful.'
-children didn't do chores in Kahnawake.
'A boy among Indians was special. He was a person who would become a man.'
Most Kahnawake could speak 6 languages: Mohawk, Abenaki, Huron, French, Latin and English.
Wow, the temperature is 75 degrees! I've been looking forward to it climbing.
Interesting insight: 'Deerfield man didn't risk much plowing a field. A Kahnawake man risked everything going into a cave to rouse a sleeping bear.'
'Mercy also knew that they were not living in ordinary Indian ways. Her Indians were Frenchified. They were Catholic.'
'Mohawks had a great ability to place themselves elsewhere,leaving their bodies to wait out the events around them.'
I can't believe Eben had to run the gauntlet. & I can't believe he lived through it.
Sarah is to be wed to a Frenchman. She said Pierre "thinks I am beautiful" and Eben told her "you ARE beautiful." I had hoped they would get married.
This is so sweet!! 'It turned out that Eben Nims believed otherwise. Eben was looking at Sarah in the way every girl prays some boy will one day look at her. "I will marry you, Sarah," said Eben. "I will be a good husband. A Puritan husband. Who will one day take us both back home." "I love you, Sarah," said Eben. "I've always loved you."
If this author ruins this, I'll scream.
'If Nistenha was not interested in Sarah and Eben's plight, no Indian would be.'
I'm so sick of this. Every time they speak Indian, someone's telling them to stop. Every time she's speaking with friends or family, it doesn't last long.
Thank God mercy was able to do something. She said that Sam could build canoes and she could make speeches. 'Mercy gave the flowery thanks required after such gifts.' Wish we could hear what it was!
-that's nice that her Indian protected her and Joseph when Mr Williams was upsetting them. & the warriors came up behind them in support.
-Sadagaewadeh the chief said that when Mr Williams came he made Munnonock cry and that he might make Aongote cry too.
I like how she's shown NA culture and how she's appreciated it. The way the men's voices sounded when they sang at Mass. The drums during the dances.
'Tannhahorens was a very successful hunter and trapper, and his wife had fine adornments.'
I can't believe she was about to steal Nistenha's jewelry, and then she shows up and gives her the cross and silver brackets.
'Indians had strong taboos about women. Men would not be with their women if they were going hunting or having important meetings, and certainly not when going off to war. She had never heard of an Indian man forcing himself on a woman.'
She tries to buy passage on a French ship, pulls out the cross. Naturally the sailors are lechers. Tannhahorens suddenly appears, I didn't even know he went with them.
-'he bent until he could look directly into her eyes, something Indians did not care for as a rule.'
Nistenha said "much depends on you" and then Tannhahorens said "you are our hope for sons and daughters to come. On you much depends."
Warriors would go into dens, jab the bear and get it to come out so they could shoot it. Whoever poked the bear would keep it's claws.
Are you kidding?! Tannhahorens was killed a bear?! WTF is this author thinking?!?
'A bear had avenged the Carter family, while Mercy had not.' R u telling him a bear attacking him was revenge for him killing your family?!
Just a few pages earlier she set the Indians set sins down, then she said 'but Indians set worry down.' It was repetitive.
They sell Ruth because she didn't let Mercy mourn her father. & the story of how she pushed the Indian off the cliff was told.
This author seems to have a lot of knowledge of Indians, though.
The Indians stand still& don't fidget. They diluted the tobacco with dried sumac leaves so the boy didn't cough during his adoption ceremony.
'O Ruth! she thought. O Mother. Father. God. I have forgiven.' That was a big moment.
'I don't understand adoptions myself. I wouldn't want to be a father to somebody else's son. But the French and the Indians have run out of children. They love to pretend we're their children."
They aren't pretending, thought Mercy. Annisquam's mother and father were not pretending. Annisquam is their son.'
"It's different for me than it is for the three of you, though. Nobody in my Indian family attacked Deerfield. You and Mercy and Joanna deal with men who actually killed somebody in your family, but I'm just with Indians who bought me. It's easier." Then he says he's going home one day. Wouldn't it be harder for ppl who were with their family's killers?
Another big moment when she talks to Annisquam.
'Food was for eating and children were for joy.'
I can't believe they deliberately had all those white captives leave to avoid being ransomed.
'Among Indians, your body was your own. Others could not interfere with it.'
I'm surprised she stayed with the Indians.
OMG this is a real story?!?
She ended up marrying an Indian.
Her brother Benny was ransomed in 1706.
Samuel stayed Indian but died in the St Lawrence river.
John, who became Jean Chartier, married Marie Courtemanche, and had 11 children.
Ruth was ransomed in 1707.
Eben Nims and Sarah Hoyt were ransomed in 1714.
Mr Williams was ransomed, but not Eunice, who stayed with the Mohawks and married Arosen.
Sally and Benjamin had a second child on the voyage home after being ransomed.
Joseph stayed with the French and Indian, was possibly the first New Englander to reach the Mississippi in 1710. And went home to Massachusetts in 1716, and was the Indian interpreter for army forts on the frontier.
Joanna and Rebecca married Indians.
Eliza married a Frenchman and stayed in Canada.
Nobody knew what happened to Daniel.
OMG the author has a great-great something grandmother from massuchsettes named Welcome Mason. Her nephew ransom was a descendant of John Gillett, mentioned in the book.
Mr Williams saw Eunice eventually but she didn't accept ransom.
Thorakwaneken was the name of the grandson Eunice Williams. Tannhahorens was the owner of Mr Williams, instead of Mercy.
I wonder what Mercy's owners name was.
That's so sad her dad moved to Connecticut and had left a large sum of money to Mercy and her Indian family if they'd come to live with them.
Mercy's brother Benny moved to Connecticut. Mercy's half-Indian sons visited their uncle. So mercy remembered her family and told her children about them. But mercy chose to live there.
I'm shocked she left her father behind.
After the French government agreed that every prisoner could go home, Queen Anne's War, some captives still refused.
Some captives said no to their families. Joseph Kellogg, redeemed in 1713, went back to French Canada in 1718 to coax Rebecca and Joanna. They refused. He tries ten years later and Rebecca went with him but Joanna refused.
Many Indians who had to give up their children later visited them in Deerfield, the place they once burned. They camped in the fields and went to church with adults that once lived with then as children.
Indians visited the Sheldon so often they asked boston to help pay for feeding them.
'Benjamin Franklin wrote that Indians have a 'life of ease, of freedom from care and labor...all wants supplied by nature." Indians visit boston, he added, and "see no reason to change. Going Rambling is so much more fun." Ben Franklin wondered which life was better--an indian's or a settler's--and answered himself, "Too much care and pain is necessary to support our type of life."
She chose to believe Mercy stayed out of love. Me too.
I was left feeling torn, oddly dissatisfied that she didn't go back to her family. Probably because I hoped this would be a romance novel, and that she'd get with Tannhahorens. So after I found out he was married, and especially after he died, I guess I didn't care if she left.
Also, finding out she ended up marrying an indian, I'm really unclear as to why that didn't happen here. I could see why she wanted to cover the capture, the long trek to Canada, but she could have fast forwarded through a lot of that. & skipped a couple years or however long, and then show us a romance between her and who she marries.
-This book would have been a lot better with some romance in it.
Based on the cover, it looks like they're both the main characters, and like it could be a romance book. Idk why he was even on the cover if they weren't going to end up together, and especially since he dies. I'm confused by it.
I saw several reviews on the writing , but I actually thought the writing was pretty good. There were times I was really interesting in reading, and in seeing where the book went. Other times were annoying, and repetitive, what with Ruth, the religious parts, etc. Overall, it wasn't bad, but it could have been a lot better.
-Final note: there should have been more space between the last line of the book and the page numbers. Because they were so close, at times I'd finish reading a sentence, and then read a number, because it looked like they were together.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2018
A vivid account of 1704 raid on the village of Deerfield that ended with over a hundred men, women, and children being taken captive, The Ransom of Mercy Carter provides a fascinating window on what it might have been like to be torn away from your home, witness the murder of friends, neighbors, and loved ones, and enter a totally new life. One of the things I enjoyed most about this book was that it showcased so many different reactions to this event: the oblivious acceptance of many of the young children, the defiant opposition of others, some broken by shock and despair, others fueled by the drive to survive, and adapting to their new life to do so. The fact that the book jarringly breaks from Mercy's perspective to hop into another captive's head for a short time and then return in order to do this, is less than ideal, but I still found the different perspectives fascinating.
I also enjoyed the view of young faith under pressure as Mercy, Sarah, Ruth, and Eben grapple with their reality. Mercy's inner conflict because she did not even know what to pray for, and her frequent, desperate, shapeless prayers of Lord, Lord felt intensely real.
This book is deeply grounded in actual history. The fates of the characters were decided by the events that happened to the real people they are based on, so I won't fault the author for any of the outcomes, if they seem unsatisfying or strain credulity. I will say, however, that in view of the way this book does not flinch at depicting (not graphically) the murders of women and children whose only crime was not being strong enough, either physically or emotionally, to handle being kidnapped and forced to march for miles and miles with little food or rest, it disappointed me a little to see Ruth's perspective treated so negatively. While I was annoyed at her for being so difficult at the beginning when everyone was fighting just to stay alive, the longer the book went on, the more I agreed with her. While I don't doubt that actual affection grew between people in this situation, the book's insistence on calling Stockholm Syndrome love bothered me more than a little.
I also enjoyed the view of young faith under pressure as Mercy, Sarah, Ruth, and Eben grapple with their reality. Mercy's inner conflict because she did not even know what to pray for, and her frequent, desperate, shapeless prayers of Lord, Lord felt intensely real.
This book is deeply grounded in actual history. The fates of the characters were decided by the events that happened to the real people they are based on, so I won't fault the author for any of the outcomes, if they seem unsatisfying or strain credulity. I will say, however, that in view of the way this book does not flinch at depicting (not graphically) the murders of women and children whose only crime was not being strong enough, either physically or emotionally, to handle being kidnapped and forced to march for miles and miles with little food or rest, it disappointed me a little to see Ruth's perspective treated so negatively. While I was annoyed at her for being so difficult at the beginning when everyone was fighting just to stay alive, the longer the book went on, the more I agreed with her. While I don't doubt that actual affection grew between people in this situation, the book's insistence on calling Stockholm Syndrome love bothered me more than a little.
April 26, 2019
I remember loving this book when I read it in elementary or middle school, so when I saw it at the library I decided it was time for a reread! I blew through this book, because the plot makes you want to keep reading to find out what will happen. This is historical middle-grade fiction (or perhaps I should say based on a true story - Deerfield existed, this event happened, and all these children were real people, but besides birthdates and names, we don't much about Mercy Carter and her family). I would recommend this book to anyone. It's 1704, and Mercy Carter and her family live in Deerfield, Massachusetts, a frontier town at the time. Native Americans (then called Indians) have been raiding these towns and taking children with them. Mercy even saw it happen once, while looking out over the fields. But then one terrible night, Deerfield is raided and many of the townspeople and all the children are taken. They make the dangerous trek to Canada with their Indian captors, but once they arrive, the children are treated like the Indians' family. Will ransom ever arrive? And if it does, will Mercy take it?
This is a thought-provoking read. The author doesn't push her opinion about which people group was right or wrong in their actions, only presents the facts of both sides. Mercy is eleven when the story starts, which is an age in which young people are already trying to figure out who they are and where they belong. This is compounded by the fact that now she has been taken captive, there are children from her town who desperately want ransom, and those who throw themselves into being Indian, wanting to forget the terrible past. Each group pulls at her heart and her mind, telling her how she should feel, and much of the story showcases her conflicted feelings.
I love the way the story is told. We get to see the facts of what life during this time and in this situation was like, as it happened often, but through the lens of one of the children. There is so much heart in this story.
The notes at the end tell us what happened to the children that were taken from Deerfield, and it is fascinating.
This is a thought-provoking read. The author doesn't push her opinion about which people group was right or wrong in their actions, only presents the facts of both sides. Mercy is eleven when the story starts, which is an age in which young people are already trying to figure out who they are and where they belong. This is compounded by the fact that now she has been taken captive, there are children from her town who desperately want ransom, and those who throw themselves into being Indian, wanting to forget the terrible past. Each group pulls at her heart and her mind, telling her how she should feel, and much of the story showcases her conflicted feelings.
I love the way the story is told. We get to see the facts of what life during this time and in this situation was like, as it happened often, but through the lens of one of the children. There is so much heart in this story.
The notes at the end tell us what happened to the children that were taken from Deerfield, and it is fascinating.
March 8, 2021
I read this when I was a child so my memory may be a bit hazy. I had a hard time finding it on Goodreads because it was a paperback with just “Mercy” on the front.
It’s well written and surprisingly mature considering it’s aimed at a younger audience which I liked. I was somewhat into it reading their journey and the kid that was just outright scalped for being a burden. The best bit was Mercy and her relationship with her adoptive father which is why when said father is killed in a bear attack soon after adapting to being part of that family that I lost interest. I remember vaguely that she was either let off her leash to pick things up or ran away and contemplates leaving on a ship. Frankly, I don’t remember the ending.
I’ll say it’s well written and interesting enough but I think you need to have an interest in historical fiction, particularly Native Americans, and be able to tolerate all the Puritan god thoughts throughout the book which, for an Athiest, I found tiring. I had weird feelings after having read this which I suppose is the point. Mercy has been kidnapped and trafficked (for non-sexual purposes) but you’re still more attached the the Indian characters than anything. I wasn’t particularly attached to Mercy as a character individually. It also seems a bit strange how quickly she becomes attached but I can understand some difficulty in writing that part realistically without making it a boring slog of little interactions.
A somewhat interesting read at the time but nothing outstanding. I felt that it would have been more interesting, if cliché, if. Mercy came from a worse family or hated her family more which would have given her more motivation to assimilate.
It’s well written and surprisingly mature considering it’s aimed at a younger audience which I liked. I was somewhat into it reading their journey and the kid that was just outright scalped for being a burden. The best bit was Mercy and her relationship with her adoptive father which is why when said father is killed in a bear attack soon after adapting to being part of that family that I lost interest. I remember vaguely that she was either let off her leash to pick things up or ran away and contemplates leaving on a ship. Frankly, I don’t remember the ending.
I’ll say it’s well written and interesting enough but I think you need to have an interest in historical fiction, particularly Native Americans, and be able to tolerate all the Puritan god thoughts throughout the book which, for an Athiest, I found tiring. I had weird feelings after having read this which I suppose is the point. Mercy has been kidnapped and trafficked (for non-sexual purposes) but you’re still more attached the the Indian characters than anything. I wasn’t particularly attached to Mercy as a character individually. It also seems a bit strange how quickly she becomes attached but I can understand some difficulty in writing that part realistically without making it a boring slog of little interactions.
A somewhat interesting read at the time but nothing outstanding. I felt that it would have been more interesting, if cliché, if. Mercy came from a worse family or hated her family more which would have given her more motivation to assimilate.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 8, 2019
The Ransom of Mercy Carter is a sentimental book for me because I dearly loved it growing up. However, when I re-read this book in my adult life, I was saddened by the realizations I had regarding some of the potentially problematic narratives that naturally emerge from a story about Native Americans written solely from the perspective of a white settler. This is a true story, and while I do see value in knowing the facts about white captives during this era of American history, the story is written in a manner that is quite one-sided in examining the "issues" with the Native cultures and war strategies. There is very little observation, discussion, or even basic consideration of how the white settlers disenfranchised, massacred, kidnapped, and stole from the Natives even after the time of the story. It is highly important to consider the perspective of a narrative especially when it includes historical information regarding a people group that has been systematically oppressed, as Native Americans have been in the United States.
I gave this book two stars because it is well written and explores a side of Native American /American colonial history that I did not know about. I refrained from giving more stars due to my disappointment with the one-sidedness in perspective and my desire to see more light shed upon the plight of Natives caused by white settlers.
I gave this book two stars because it is well written and explores a side of Native American /American colonial history that I did not know about. I refrained from giving more stars due to my disappointment with the one-sidedness in perspective and my desire to see more light shed upon the plight of Natives caused by white settlers.
January 23, 2024
This novelization of the Deerfield (MA) raid of February 1704 attracted me because one of my ancestors, John Nims, was abducted from Deerfield by Indians in an earlier raid. His brother Ebenezer is a lead character in this version of the story. Checking other sources, I find that Caroline Cooney has been diligent in her research – the names and outcomes for each of her characters are historically accurate and the events correspond to what is known about the actual history. Cooney has ascribed personality traits to characters which may or may not be true, but serve the purpose of the novel.
It's a good story, and Cooney does her best to be even-handed in her treatment of the Indians, explaining what seems brutality to Puritan eyes as being culturally normative in Indian eyes, and not forgetting to show also what seems to modern eyes to be irrational in the behavior of the Puritan settlers of Deerfield. Mavy of the captives, on being offered ransom, stayed with their abductors rather than return to Puritan Massachusetts.
One cavil – I would have liked knowing Mercy’s age at the beginning of the story. She is only eleven at the time of the raid, but her behavior makes the reader imagine her older – would an eleven-year-old think as much about marriage as she does on p. 5-6?
It's a good story, and Cooney does her best to be even-handed in her treatment of the Indians, explaining what seems brutality to Puritan eyes as being culturally normative in Indian eyes, and not forgetting to show also what seems to modern eyes to be irrational in the behavior of the Puritan settlers of Deerfield. Mavy of the captives, on being offered ransom, stayed with their abductors rather than return to Puritan Massachusetts.
One cavil – I would have liked knowing Mercy’s age at the beginning of the story. She is only eleven at the time of the raid, but her behavior makes the reader imagine her older – would an eleven-year-old think as much about marriage as she does on p. 5-6?
January 25, 2019
2.5 stars
I really enjoyed Caroline B. Cooney books when I was a kid, especially Flight #116 Is Down! and Emergency Room. If I had read this book then, it would probably be a 4-5 stars. It's a good story and I'm a sucker for that narrative. (Hence why I Am Regina is rated so high for me - read it in 6th grade and that nostalgia bonus is a killer.)
This book starts off a bit slow and awkward, which is why it got dinged to 2.5 stars. Towards the end it became more gripping, and I enjoyed reading the internal conflict of the characters. I didn't know it was a fictionalized account with a true historic background, so that was fun to read a bit more about in the end.
I think this would be a great read for the intended age group, and a decent quick read for us older folks.
I really enjoyed Caroline B. Cooney books when I was a kid, especially Flight #116 Is Down! and Emergency Room. If I had read this book then, it would probably be a 4-5 stars. It's a good story and I'm a sucker for that narrative. (Hence why I Am Regina is rated so high for me - read it in 6th grade and that nostalgia bonus is a killer.)
This book starts off a bit slow and awkward, which is why it got dinged to 2.5 stars. Towards the end it became more gripping, and I enjoyed reading the internal conflict of the characters. I didn't know it was a fictionalized account with a true historic background, so that was fun to read a bit more about in the end.
I think this would be a great read for the intended age group, and a decent quick read for us older folks.
October 3, 2018
Don’t be deceived by the three star review I gave it: this was a very good book. I can’t personally give it any more stars, though, because a five star book would basically be a book that I find to be my favorite, and this one just does not have enough action or mystery for that in my opinion. This is a true story to an extant about a settler town and an Indian attack that brings crazy changes to everyone’s lives. Many adults and children are taken captive by Indians and many of the children survive to the Indian tribes to become part of the Indian families. This book focuses on Mercy Carter and how she dealt with this. We can see her struggle between her past and her new life; this book is written so well that I can actually empathize with her and see why she chose what she did. I do not normally like historical books of any kind, but this book was very good.
I would recommend this book to anyone 12-18. If your older it may bore you. If you like historical fiction, you should definitely think about picking up this book.
I would recommend this book to anyone 12-18. If your older it may bore you. If you like historical fiction, you should definitely think about picking up this book.
July 2, 2019
I loved this book! Like Ms. Cooney I have been fascinated by the stories of whites taken captive by Indians (okay, Natuve Americans). I have often had my heart broken just a little (or a lot) when the adopted white captives were returned by force and against their will to their white families and communities (like Where the Broken Heart Still Beats). I loved how Ms Cooney portrays the inner struggles of several white captives and how she shows the very dignified, honorable and caring side of a Mohawk family. I am so glad that Mercy Carter (and many others) were given the choice whether to return or stay. I won’t spoil it by telling you what she chose but I will say that I wasn’t entirely sure what she’d choose until the very end.
December 9, 2023
The Ransom of Mercy Carter by Caroline B Cooney.
I found this to be a very well written, hard hitting, realistic story based on the true historical account of Mercy Carter. In 1704, Mercy along with hundreds of other settlers in Deerfield, Massachusetts are taken captive by a group of Kahnawake Mohawk. The story is written from the point of view of eleven year old Mercy.
The reading level is listed at 5.2, but as an adult I found it very engaging and thought provoking. This book was, at times, extremely intense. As it is a quick read, I would suggest reading it before giving it to a younger middle grader to read on their own. That way the more disturbing parts can be discussed, if necessary.
I would highly recommend this book and gave it 5 stars.
I found this to be a very well written, hard hitting, realistic story based on the true historical account of Mercy Carter. In 1704, Mercy along with hundreds of other settlers in Deerfield, Massachusetts are taken captive by a group of Kahnawake Mohawk. The story is written from the point of view of eleven year old Mercy.
The reading level is listed at 5.2, but as an adult I found it very engaging and thought provoking. This book was, at times, extremely intense. As it is a quick read, I would suggest reading it before giving it to a younger middle grader to read on their own. That way the more disturbing parts can be discussed, if necessary.
I would highly recommend this book and gave it 5 stars.
July 2, 2018
A brutal read based on actual events about the forced kidnapping and march of captured Deerfield residents for 300 long, cold, merciless miles. Mercy and her brothers and others are scared to death but the brutal march, hunger and cold vie with memories of her family and the now horror of just trying to survive. Cooney showed how the children are sold, assimilated into Indian culture, some adopted into families, others to the French BUT the older children suffer from angst (only Ruth shows anger the whole time) as they leave their Deerfield families behind (some hope for ransom) and forge a new life. It was sad, sad, sad but true, true, true.
May 16, 2020
I didn't realize this book was in the YA genre but it was recommended in an online forum so I picked it up and I'm so glad I did. Was a very interesting story about the Deerfield, MA Indian raid upon which 109 people were kidnapped, most of them under the age of 20, and marched in the middle of winter to Canada to live as adopted people of the Indians or French.
I had not heard of this story but plan on seeking out more material as this well researched book gave fascinating insights into a world that is extremely foreign to most people. Highly recommended if you have young readers interested in this subject.
I had not heard of this story but plan on seeking out more material as this well researched book gave fascinating insights into a world that is extremely foreign to most people. Highly recommended if you have young readers interested in this subject.
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