In 1707, eight-year-old Sarah travels with her father to build a new home in the Connecticut wilderness. Sarah is afraid when she hears animals in the night. She is afraid when she meets her Indian neighbors. She is especially afraid when she is left with an Indian family while her father goes back to get the rest of their family. But when Sarah remembers her mother's parting words, "Keep up your courage, Sarah Noble," she learns to be brave even when she's afraid. Through Sarah's example, young listeners will learn much about courage, faith, and inter-cultural friendship. Based on a true story, The Courage of Sarah Noble also teaches children about colonial life in America. Alice Dalgliesh has written many well-loved books for young people. When heard in narrator Barbara Caruso's friendly tones, this distinguished contribution to children's literature becomes even more inviting.
Download and start listening now!
"Alayna's review: Sarah and her father go on a journey to Connecticut to build a house. Her family stays behind. Sarah stays in a cave with a fence built around it. She becomes friends with some Indian children. She reads to them from the bible. When her father finishes the house, Tall John, an Indian, cares for her while her father leaves to retrieve the rest of the family. It was such a dangerous journey to Connecticut that her father wants her to stay safe with the Indians. She learns of the ways of the Indians and she teaches them English. She loves staying with the Indian children. When her father finally returns, she is sad to leave the Indians but she is happy to be reunited with her mother. She teaches her mother that the Indians are not savages. I loved the story because it teaches you all people are the same even if they speak another language. The color of a person's skin doesn't matter. They are still people who should be treated with respect. The Indians only defended themselves from the white people and northern Indians who were attacking them."
— Rebecca (5 out of 5 stars)
" This was another fantastic read-aloud. Set in early 1700s America, the simple story inspired courage and bravery in the face of the unknown. Emma was absolutely captivated and we read the entire second half in one sitting. "
— beth, 2/18/2014" Great and simple book of the life of one Sarah Noble. Sarah must dig deep for her courage while she travels with her father to their new homestead and while he leaves her to bring back the rest of the family. Good lesson on inner strength. "
— Marisa, 2/6/2014" Child narrated through the eyes of young Sarah Noble, this wonderful tale tells the thoughts and fears individuals had of the Native Americans and the trust that Sarah and her father had. "
— Haim, 2/4/2014" Charming little book, the symbolism of the cloak is lovely. "
— Stephani, 1/31/2014" Great book for children. My son and I read it in about 45 min. My son gave it a thumbs up. "
— Kendra, 1/30/2014" Leonard Weisgard illustrated this short book about a little girl who has the opportunity to learn how a different family lives. The book is useful for elementary school classroom discussions. "
— Andd, 1/19/2014" I read this with my son in about an hour. We took turns reading every few pages. It is a very simple story, but it teaches the principles of courage, love, brotherhood,etc. from an eight year old level- perfect for my children. "
— Christy, 1/18/2014" The girls enjoyed listening to this sweet and simple chapter book. They were asking for more and I'm hoping to find more books like these to read aloud to them. "
— Jenny, 1/2/2014" A good read aloud about the true story of a little girl and her adventure in the wilderness with Indians and wildlife. My children and I enjoyed it. "
— Lori, 12/30/2013" This was a really great book. If you want to read it I hope you really like it. "
— Ryan, 12/16/2013" A sweet book about being brave and making sacrifices for your family. A little girl and her father leave to build a new house in the wilderness. The 8-year-old girl volunteers to go and cook for her father. My 7-year-old enjoyed it, though I think it was under her reading level. "
— Stefani, 12/4/2013" I read this one such a long time ago, I can't remember it very well. "
— Alex, 12/2/2013" I first read this when I was seven, Sarah's age, and loved it. Reading it again recently, I still loved it. Simple story with simple values and simple, pretty illustrations. "
— Hannah, 12/1/2013" I saw that this was a newberry winner and decided to get it to read to my kids. Lame, we didn't like it at all. "
— Christin, 11/29/2013" 1st grade "
— Madelyn, 9/19/2013" A great book with many lessons learned from it. I really enjoyed this story. "
— Mareena, 7/5/2013" I'd never heard this story before. It's simple, yet engaging, and supposed to be based on a true story. "
— Melanie, 6/4/2013" A nice children's story about courage.... "
— Mslogar, 4/19/2013" A cute, short book of life in the 1700s. Perfect History story for my son! "
— Melissa, 4/17/2013" An orderly and over-simple story told in comforting, uncluttered prose akin to Patricia Maclachlan's. In fact, Sarah, Plain and Tall came to mind as I read. "
— BunnyDumpling, 3/30/2013" I understand the criticisms of the book, but the reader must also understand both the time the book was written and the time the story took place. A wise parent or teacher would use this as a teachable moment to help a child understand history. "
— Laura, 6/6/2012" Reading to my boys as we study early American pioneers. Good so far! "
— Ginny, 2/21/2012" It was ok. Cute, but a really fast read. Rather fluffy... "
— Ashley, 1/4/2012" I like this book because it well written and a great idea about how life went at the time of George Washington. "
— Erin, 10/3/2011" After reading The Sign of the Beaver, this Alice Dalgliesh feels so "kindegarten". However, it is still a sweet little book. "
— Jules, 8/13/2011" Good! Not my favorite book we read this year but good true story of a girl who lived with a Native American family for a while. Interesting for Maria. "
— Kpretzler, 5/27/2011" A nice children's story about courage.... "
— Mslogar, 5/15/2011" This was the first book I ever read, and it made a huge impression on me. "
— Amy, 4/29/2011" A good read aloud about the true story of a little girl and her adventure in the wilderness with Indians and wildlife. My children and I enjoyed it.<br/> "
— Lori, 3/21/2011" Newbery honor book<br/>Enjoyed it very much. With it's courageous heroine, it would be a good first chapter book for young girls. "
— Mckinley, 2/11/2011" This is a cute book. The little girl and her father who become friends with the indians, while they are working on building a house. This is a short easy read, but one of the best books that shows friendship and love even when society disagrees. "
— Mindy, 4/25/2010" I read this to my class of 2nd graders. I liked that there were several vocabulary words that we were able to discuss. I especially liked that it was based on a real person. It was nice too to have a lesson - to be afraid and to still be brave, that is courage. "
— Sandra, 4/23/2010Alice Dalgliesh is known as a pioneer in the field of children's historical fiction. A naturalized American author and publisher, three of her books received the Newbery Honor Award. As the founding editor of Scribner's and Sons children's book division, she published works by award-winning authors and illustrators. Her prominence in the field of children's literature led to her appointment as the first president of the Children's Book Council, a national nonprofit trade association of children's book publishers.
Barbara Caruso, winner of numerous Earphones Awards for narration, is an accomplished actress. A graduate of London’s prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, she was a featured player in the Royal Shakespeare Company. She has played starring roles on Broadway and in theaters across the country. She won the Alexander Scourby Reader of the Year Award for her performances of young adult fiction and has more than one hundred audiobook narrations to her credit.