Alone Yet Not Alone: Historical Fiction from the French and Indian War #review

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This past year, the boys and I worked our way through much of American History in our homeschool learning.  Our approach relied heavily upon reading books, many of which were from the historical fiction genre.  I’d have loved having Alone Yet Not Alone as one of our reading selections for that time to serve as historical fiction from the French and Indian War.  I’m just glad we’ve had the chance to read it now as a review item.

 

About Alone Yet Not Alone

Settled in the Blue Mountains of Pennsylvania, deep within America’s new frontier, the Leininger family celebrates the blessings of a beautiful homestead and bountiful harvest. That is, until tragedy strikes with the beginning of the French and Indian War and the devastating raid known as the Penn’s Creek Massacre.

The lives of this simple, God-fearing family are forever altered when Barbara and Regina, two young sisters, are carried away by the Delaware tribe. Driven by their faith in God and the powerful bonds of family, Barbara and Regina hold firmly to the belief that they are never alone, even in their darkest hour, and that they will be reunited again.

Rich in historical details, Alone Yet Not Alone is an inspirational, true story of a family caught in the cross fire of the French and Indian War.   The book retails for $9.99 in paperback and is also available for Kindle and Nook for $6.99.

 

 

Our Thoughts on Alone Yet Not Alone

Overall, this is a great title to read.  The story is engaging with a fast pace to it as Ms.  Craven does not dawdle on too many details.  Rather, she provides enough description to allow the reader to visualize the locations and people being presented without becoming tedious.  I find this is a fine balance for anyone writing a story to a younger audience (in this case ages 8 and up.)

 

The boys were initially put off by the notion of a ‘female lead’ character.  However, I find it just takes a little reminding that some of the books they’ve enjoyed in the past have a female protagonist.  Plus, they typically enjoy the historical fiction titles we have read.  Unfortunately, they misplaced the book while guests were visiting our house and did not get it read before today.  So, I had the privilege of reading it quickly last night.  And, it was a quick read for me (about 2 hours at 160 pages.)

 

There is a definite theme of trusting in God throughout the book.  I find that it fits quite well for a historical fiction piece about that time period in American History as many of the settlers were Christian with strong convictions.  While the mention of God comes often through the pages, there is no proselytizing going on or force feeding the reader a particular agenda.  Instead, the reader sees how a firm foundation of faith laid by Barbara and Regina’s parents helped to guide them through the trials they would endure.

 

For a book that is set during a violent time in history, Alone Yet Not Alone is not filled with descriptions of violence.  When Indians come to the Leininger family home, the reader surmises that the girls father and brother are killed from the description of what happens.  However, the acts are not described for this or other times when violence occurred.

 

See Alone Yet Not Alone on the Big Screen!

Beyond enjoying this title (and putting it onto my boys’ reading list for the next weeks), I am excited to share that they have made a movie based on the novel.  The movie is releasing in theaters on September 27, 2013.  The Dove Foundation has awardee it 5 Doves and suggests the movie be viewed by an audience ages 12 and up.  My best guess is the higher viewing age suggestion is because of violence on the screen rather than the suggestion of violence found in the novel.

 

Having enjoyed the novel, I am looking forward to seeing the movie when we are able.  If they stay true to the story, I am sure it will be an enjoyable and educational experience.

 

Want to win a copy of this title?  Visit the Alone Yet Not Alone giveaway post here by September 11, 2013.