CALICO BUSH

I gave this an extra star, since I've lived on the island of this tale. So my opinion of this historical novel is a bit skewed?During American colonial times, a New England family takes on a French girl, a recent emigre from a charmed life in Paris, as their indentured servant. If the girl works well and follows orders as she should, in several years she can earn her freedom to form an independent life in the New World.As the story opens, the family are sailing Downeast to claim their land, on a remote island off the coast of what is now the State of Maine. Their entire, meager savings and hopes are set on making a successful farm, on Mt. Desert Island, on a piece of land that has been purchased, sight unseen.Upon the clan's arrival on the island, they see that their "farm" has been burned down. Probably the remains of a once flourishing livelihood had been the result of marauding Indians who still inhabit the island and coast, still continuing to cause harm and death to white settlers who have taken their lands and waters.Across the bight from the abandoned homestead lies another clan whose farm and survival have survived many hardships in the wilds of Maine. These neighbors soon come to help the newcomers, as do other settlers along the coast.As time passes, the French girl proves to be a valuable, brave and hard worker for the family. She has to be. She has no where else to go, so her work and caring help her new clan to survive the first dire winter with little to eat and sickness and accidents kiling some of them off.In the end, the adoptive family survives, due to the quick, brave thinking and actions of their servants.The characters in this tale are varied and represent those who carved out lives, in the New World. The settings are true and still resonate the essence of Mt. Desert island, as well as the grit and determination of today's inhabitants.If you like American historical novels that are set in New England, this is a good one. The prose is good but not from mature authorship. However, the story is well researched and includes the time, place, artifacts, people and farming and homesteading methods of the 17th and 18th centuries. For a quick but enjoyable read, this novel is worth a try.

A great little book. Intended for children, but an interesting read for adults. While it deals with issues of fear, death, and hardship, it does do as gently as possible and isn't too graphic. An encouraging message of endurance, integrity, resourcefulness, and love.

The Christmas chapter is tell-able as a stand-alone story. My grandmother memorized it and used it in adult story times. It's that good!!

I like all the adventures in this book and l would really recommendIt to people who like mysteries,surprises and adventure,But the only thing I dislike is there's a little to much French in this book. IRated this five stars because it is about one of the best Frenchand Indian wars book there is.! But not to say anymore this a fantastic book.

Good story