funny_bunny_reads's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
amarieads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
elsanore's review against another edition
3.0
I listened to the audio book of Mary and the Trail of Tears with my two children as part of our Build Your Library homeschool program. This is the first fictional account I have read about the Trail of Tears, and I am glad it exists, especially that it is written by a member of the Cherokee nation. I had a difficult time connecting with the story, but my children liked it well enough. The concise author's note was the best part.
panda_incognito's review against another edition
4.0
This book tells the true story of Cherokee Removal through the fictional experiences of a young girl, and even though it is very grim, the episodic, rather rushed nature of the story helps buffer the effect of the many deaths that occur, since readers have little time to grow attached to characters. Also, many deaths occur in summarized exposition, with the author giving a sense of the general devastation occurring in disease-ridden internment camps.
This fictional narrative is strongly based in recorded history, and the author's note at the end provides additional context and information. The author also writes about what it meant to her personally to write this book, since she is descended from indigenous ancestors involved in this historical injustice. In the story, she passingly mentions that enslaved Africans were also involved in the Trail of Tears, but she never explains why or what their roles were, and even though she mentions them again in the author's note as an overlooked part of this time in history, she still doesn't provide any context for this, which is a gap that I wish she had filled.
She also mentions that white people who had intermarried with indigenous people were involved in the Trail of Tears. I am glad that she mentioned this, since so many historic mixed-race marriages and children are completely lost to time and unacknowledged. If a child or adult is interested in learning more about this dynamic from a different time period and geographic location, I would recommend the American Girl historical mystery [b:Trouble at Fort La Pointe|1566834|Trouble at Fort La Pointe|Kathleen Ernst|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1185299283l/1566834._SX50_.jpg|669471], which is about a girl with a white French father and Ojibwe mother.
Overall, I enjoyed Mary and the Trail of Tears and would recommend it. It is very historically accurate, which is essential in a story like this, and I appreciated the additional context offered at the end about how there were many white people who opposed the injustice of Indian Removal, including Davy Crockett, who is also mentioned in the story. It's helpful and balanced to explore horrific injustices like this without the unintentional message that everybody in majority culture went along with this or agreed with it at the time.
This fictional narrative is strongly based in recorded history, and the author's note at the end provides additional context and information. The author also writes about what it meant to her personally to write this book, since she is descended from indigenous ancestors involved in this historical injustice. In the story, she passingly mentions that enslaved Africans were also involved in the Trail of Tears, but she never explains why or what their roles were, and even though she mentions them again in the author's note as an overlooked part of this time in history, she still doesn't provide any context for this, which is a gap that I wish she had filled.
She also mentions that white people who had intermarried with indigenous people were involved in the Trail of Tears. I am glad that she mentioned this, since so many historic mixed-race marriages and children are completely lost to time and unacknowledged. If a child or adult is interested in learning more about this dynamic from a different time period and geographic location, I would recommend the American Girl historical mystery [b:Trouble at Fort La Pointe|1566834|Trouble at Fort La Pointe|Kathleen Ernst|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1185299283l/1566834._SX50_.jpg|669471], which is about a girl with a white French father and Ojibwe mother.
Overall, I enjoyed Mary and the Trail of Tears and would recommend it. It is very historically accurate, which is essential in a story like this, and I appreciated the additional context offered at the end about how there were many white people who opposed the injustice of Indian Removal, including Davy Crockett, who is also mentioned in the story. It's helpful and balanced to explore horrific injustices like this without the unintentional message that everybody in majority culture went along with this or agreed with it at the time.
quiettalker's review against another edition
5.0
At just 100 pages, this illustrated chapter book is a great (fictional) primer on the Cherokee Removal. I really appreciate kids books that don't shy away from the truth, even when it's violent and devistating. Roger's does a great job of mixing elements of hardship and death with hope and resilience.
I am so grateful for this book and the author's work to make history about Indigenous peoples' accessible and accurate for kids (and me!).
I am so grateful for this book and the author's work to make history about Indigenous peoples' accessible and accurate for kids (and me!).
lewislikesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This was such an emotionally-packed book. It took me on a crazy ride of emotions but the most prominent one was definitely heartbreak. The atrocities Mary and her family - and millions of Indigenous people - went through is something that is finally being discussed in the media and books like this help to normalise having conversations about serious issues about the rights of Native people; this book is so important and so worth a read.
lrcartee's review against another edition
4.0
This is a great book for 4-6 graders about the truth of the removal of the Cherokees from their lands. The protagonist is a girl but that shouldn’t stop boys from picking it up as well. It shares the story of one of the darkest times in our history. One that is often ignored in history classes. I definitely recommend it.
jennybeastie's review against another edition
4.0
This is a totally solid book, which covers the intense and slow horror of one girl experiencing the Cherokee removal. I'd say the main difference between this and Tim Tingle's How I Became a Ghost is that Tingle manages to keep moments of humor that act as a foil for tragedy. Rogers doesn't lighten things for her readers, but presents an all-too-believable story of a family struggling to survive the bewildering and extremely cruel circumstances. Well written. Bleak.
beckybooklady's review against another edition
5.0
Great historical fiction story for 4-6th graders about the forced removal of the Cherokee people and the Trail of Tears.
frankisib's review against another edition
5.0
A really good book for middle grade and younger to understand the Cherokee removal.