It’s 1849, and twelve-year-old Addie lives in the shipbuilding town of Essex, Massachusetts. Her father has left the family to seek gold on the West Coast, and tragically the flux has ended the lives of her mother and baby brother, leaving Addie all alone. Fearful of being taken in as a servant, Addie flees from her house into the snowy woods, where she endures hunger and bitter cold until Nokummus, an elderly Wampanoag woman, coaxes Addie to her dwelling.
Now living under the care of the mercurial old woman, Addie slowly recognizes the truth of her past. Through an intense ancient ceremony and by force of her own wits and will, Addie must come to grips with the facts of her newfound identity—and find the courage to build a future unlike any she could ever have imagined.
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"This is a young adult novel - quickly becoming one of my favorite genre. It is a story of a strong young girl whose father is off to the California gold fields and whose mother and brother both die, leaving her alone. "
— Smudge (4 out of 5 stars)
" I couldn't wait to see how this story turned out. A young girl had to be strong despite many hardships. Such a neat story of family and strength. "
— Delena, 11/3/2013" Not a bad plot line, just dragged a bit much for me. "
— Ashley, 10/5/2013" This is a young adult novel - quickly becoming one of my favorite genre. It is a story of a strong young girl whose father is off to the California gold fields and whose mother and brother both die, leaving her alone. "
— Smudge, 9/20/2013" This was a nice, easy read. It is about a young girl in the mid 19th century who, through a loss and discovery, finds out who she is and what she is capable of. A coming of age, so to speak. "
— Patricia, 3/1/2013" Kind of disappointing. "
— Erin, 10/29/2012" A really nice read :) "
— Ewelina, 10/14/2012" well, fiction. you know. But ok. "
— Ann, 7/3/2012" The ending was sudden and a let down from the book. "
— Nessa, 6/29/2012" Pretty good historical fiction. I liked the character, the setting was good -- the native american stuff got a little heavy-handed, but overall realistic and interesting. "
— Molly, 1/29/2012" Very well written and unique story line. "
— Katrina, 1/28/2012" This book is set in my hometown, so I enjoy recognizing the different locations the author mentions. It is a very easy read although a little predictable at times. However, I am enjoying it quite a bit! "
— Michele, 8/19/2011" A coming-of-age book with an unusual setting. Some of the relationships could have been better developed, but the author does have real talent with descriptions. The ending just begs for a sequel. "
— Kina, 6/20/2011" This was a nice, easy read. It is about a young girl in the mid 19th century who, through a loss and discovery, finds out who she is and what she is capable of. A coming of age, so to speak. "
— Patricia, 3/14/2011" Addie buries her mother and brother, and her father is away trying to make his fortune, but she will find out who she really is. <br/>A YA Historical "
— Kim, 1/10/2011" The ending was sudden and a let down from the book. "
— Nessa, 1/5/2011" This book is set in my hometown, so I enjoy recognizing the different locations the author mentions. It is a very easy read although a little predictable at times. However, I am enjoying it quite a bit! "
— Michele, 11/1/2010" A really nice read :) "
— Ewelina, 10/31/2010" A coming-of-age book with an unusual setting. Some of the relationships could have been better developed, but the author does have real talent with descriptions. The ending just begs for a sequel. "
— Kina, 10/30/2010" I won this through the goodreads first reads. I really enjoyed this story. "
— Lacey, 8/9/2010Pat Lowery Collins is the author of Hidden Voices as well as many other acclaimed novels and picture books. She lives in Gloucester, Massachusetts.
Kate Rudd, actress and Earphones Award–winning narrator, has appeared in several independent films and shorts, as well as in multiple episodes of the television show Perks. As an audiobook narrator she has been a finalist for the prestigious Audie Award for best narration.