The winter is a bitter one and we learn how Eunice and her family pass the days. One night the drifts of deep snow allow French and Mohawk soldiers to climb the fence and attack the town. The Williams family and others are taken captive and set on a forced march to Canada, watching their town burning as they walk away from all they have known. I found this sequence could be scary for young readers with many hardships described. Separated by their captors, the children and sole remaining parent lead different lives with Mohawks or French. A rescue effort is soon underway to release Reverend John Williams, but he only wants to see his children again and ensure their safety. Eunice is taken by the Mohawks during the confusion and her family cannot find her.

Arakwente and his wife, Konwatiene, are introduced as Eunice's new family, along with their children. They teach her how to live the life of a Mohawk girl. Gradually she gets used to living in a lodge, planting, hunting, crafting, and wearing their style of clothes. She almost forgets how she came to live in the village. Over the years, Eunice becomes a Mohawk, but her father never stops trying to find her.

This rewriting of a true story will surprise many young readers. Life in colonial towns was not as advanced as today, and everyone had to work hard to survive. There was not so much to choose between lifestyles as we might imagine. We also see some of the religions Eunice is introduced to, including Native America beliefs. When the colonists could not agree on which was the "right" religion, why should any be the best over another? Eunice is given different names by different people throughout the story, so young readers may find it useful to write these down to be sure of what is happening.

I enjoyed this read and learned a lot about the history and landscape of the 1700s. I can recommend John Putnam Demos' exciting book PURITAN GIRL, MOHAWK GIRL to teachers for a class read, and to young adult readers interested in history.