Of all the "Indian Captive" novel, such as "Mocassin Trail" and "The Light in the Forest", I found this to be the most thoroughly researched and most respectfully written. Originally published in 1941, it is based on the true-life story of Mary "Molly Jemison", who was captured and adopted by the Genesee in the 1750s. When given the opportunity to return to the white community, Molly chose to stay with her native family. At the age of 80, "she told her memories of her experiences in detail to James Everett Seaver, M.D. and the book was first published at Canandagua, NY in 1824." (p. xi)
My edition, published in 1995, includes an introduction by Arthur C. Parker, Director of the Rochester Museum of Arts. He explains that "not only did Miss Lenski make a study of the literature (regarding Molly's life), but visited the Indians, many of whom are descendants of the subject of her book. The book includes hand drawn sketches ,done by the author, all based on her studies "in the various museums containing Iroquois and especially Seneca objects" (p.viii).
As Seaver explains, many writers have ignored the necessity of having accurate knowledge of how the native people lived, and instead have "written purely from imagination, filling gaps with pre-conceived knowledge or basing it upon modern adaptions of European practices". (p. vii).
The result is a sensitive story which explores the divide between the two worlds at the time of the French and Indian War. Molly first feels extreme despair when separated from her family, only to learn to care fore the kind and loyal native family to whom she now belongs.
For teachers, this would be a good supplement on a unit about Native Americans. The author not only included sketches of artifacts used by the natives, but explains their uses, as Molly is taught skills for living as a productive member of the tribe, but also the traditions and beliefs of the native people. The author also shows the way that contact with Europeans began to change life for the natives, in both good and bad ways. ( )

Twelve-year-old Mary Jemison took her peaceful days on her family's farm in eastern Pennsylvania for granted. But on a spring day in 1758, something happened that changed her life forever. A band of warriors invaded the house and took the Jemison family captive. Mary was separated from her parents and brothers and sister. She traveled with the Indians to southern Ohio and later to a Seneca village on the Genesee River in what is now western New York.

Mary's new life was not easy. She missed her family terribly, and she was unaccustomed to Seneca ways. Several times she even tried to run away. But the Indians were kind to her and taught her many things about the earth, its plants, and its creatures. She became a sister to animals and to all growing things. Then Mary was finally given the chance to return to the world of white men. But she had also become a sister to the Indians. How could she leave them?

Based on a true story, here is the unforgettable tale of the legendary "White Woman of the Genesee."

“It don't matter what happens, if you're only strong and have great courage.”
― Lois Lenski, Indian Captive: The Story of Mary Jemison

Most of my reviews are rather long. In the case of this book however, I can't really do that. I read this a long time ago and realized I did not really do a review. I really liked it and want to recommend it but I cannot go into specifics because it was read so long ago. I need to do a reread.

This is the story of Mary "Molly" Jemison. Mary was captured by Seneca Indians in a raid. Her family was killed but she was taken alive and adopted by the Senecas.

Eventually, Mary came to embrace the Indian customs and way of life and came to love her family.

I enjoyed reading the true story of Mary Jemison. I have an interest in Native American History and this book, which I read so long ago, was very educational as well as being a great read in general.

I should add that there is tragedy and some scenes that are difficult to deal with. The book is also illustrated with pictures and I loved it and would recommend it to anyone with an interest in the subject matter. ( )

A girl was taken from her home and family when a band of Indians came to her farm and took her captive.
She learned the Indian language and learned the way they lived. but when it came for her to pick
if she wanted to live with the white men. she thought, how could she leave the Indians she loved?. This is a great story to read.have fun!!! ( )

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Based on the life of a real person, Indian Captive tells the story of Mary Jemison, a young girl who was kidnapped by a Seneca tribe in 1758. After taking her away from her family, she was not treated as a slave or prisoner, but adopted as a member of the tribe. This Newbery Honor book from 1941 has aged well. It is an engaging, well told story. As a result of extensive research, Lenski does not portray the Native Americans as either saints or savages, but honestly. Among the characters in the village are people who are kind, caring and generous, and other who are spiteful and selfish. Some are harsh and firm, but fair and honest.
Mary, who is known to the tribe as Corn Tassel because of her long blonde hair, thinks frequently about how she can escape and return to the white people. But over the course of time, she begins to care about and even love some of the people in her new "Indian" family. The book concludes when she has been with the tribe for about two years, and then is given the freedom to make a decision... will she leave and return to live with the white people, or will she remain forever a member of the Seneca? ( )

It might be easy to assume that this book is dated because of its subject and age, but except for calling the Seneca "Indians", this book has stood the test of time amazingly well. The detail about the Seneca's way of life is captivating, and I'm impressed with the depiction of Mary's struggle between the life she was born to and the life she chooses, with the Seneca. It has to be hard for people to understand since she chose to stay with the people that had killed her family, but as she said, "War killed her family." ( )

Good book. I learned a great deal about Native American life. ( )

is a good book to read I have in my collection ( )

?áI have enjoyed?áLois Lenski's books for little children, but 1. her people's faces, in the illustrations, always bother me, and 2. the liberties she admits to taking with Jemison's story in this seem to defeat the purpose, somewhat, of all her careful research into Seneca culture and history.

For example, if she was only 12 when captured, and had a baby during the adventures described, and moreover was small for her age, her Indian husband is guilty of statuary rape. Look at the pix - if the Blue Jay was actually her child, and she was still feeling homesick and was still not strong, Blue Jay is far too big a baby for her.

Oh, and 3. it was boring, imo. I actually cannot remember if I read it as a child... I thought I had, but nothing stuck in my mind.

At least the Seneca and other people seem *real* people, not Savages or Noble Savages either. And some of the lessons we learn with Mary are mildly interesting, like how to embroider with quills.

I almost want to read Jemison's own auto-biography, or some other account.

I just really don't know what to think. " ( )

love it! ( )

Molly has just been taken away from her family. Determined not to forget what her folks taught her, she joins the Native Americans and learns the way of the tribe. Although the author did a great job, this book is just not for me. ( )

Indian Captive is a story that will make a great gift and open doors to terrific conversations. I appreciated it as much now as an adult as I did when I was a child. I loved the gentle introduction to Native American philosophy and Molly's sensitivity to the natural beauty around her even in some of the toughest times. I really felt for poor Molly as she was tugged at by two cultures. Each was described well and without prejudice. I was glad that it showed love wins over all. Lois Lenski did the classic illustrations that I remember so fondly from my childhood. A really wonderful package. ( )

"The pain in her heart became so great she could not bear it and burst into tears." "Indian Captive: The story of Mary Jemison by: Lois Lenski" will capture your heart and hold your attention long after you have read it. It is astonishing and incredible to learn about the struggles Mary("Molly/Corn Tassel")Jemison had to go through while she was held captive and taken away from her family. Mary's brave soul and determined mind kept her going all the while. This book taught me a lot about her amazing story and how she was able to deal with what was to come ahead of her life with the Seneca Indians.
Mary's first days with the Indians are full of wariness and uncertainty. As soon as she's taken away, the old rumors she's heard ever since she was little start swirling around in her head: "nasty", "cruel", "killers", "beasts", but are these rumors really true? What lies ahead of her with her new life with the Seneca Indians? Will she ever see the family that's cared for her and loved her all her life ever again? These drastic changes hit hard on Molly since she's not sure if she can really trust the Indians or not. She never wishes to become an Indian woman, and all she wants is to be back home with the white people.
In this book I learned about how it was like to be held captive from Mary's point of view, and the hardships she had to overcome to continue on with her life. Normally I can't stand historical fiction books since they're really boring and all they do is list information, but this one wasn't actually that bad! It can be hard to find a book that you learn something AND find interesting; and this one was the right fit of both. Personally, I think the author; Lois Lenski did a fantastic job creating the "best of both worlds" historical fiction book!!! ( )

Mary is a young girl, age 12, who is adored by her daddy even though she tends to daydream. We only see her with her family for the first few pages though as the cabin is invaded by Seneca who take everyone captive, but only keep Mary, aka Molly, and a neighbor boy. Much later Mary learns the rest were killed after she was taken on as they were not moving fast enough to outrun the neighbors who were coming to try and rescue them. The Seneca have rules that for every member of their tribe lost in wa they will “adopt” a white to replace the lost member. Girls get adopted, but boys need to first run the gauntlet to prove they are brave enough to be Seneca... After Corn Tassel (the name given to Mary by the Seneca) because of her yellow hair) has been with the Seneca for a few years a teen boy is captured and makes it through the gauntlet. He later manages to escape, but when Mary finally gets the chance to go back to the white’s she has learned her family is dead and decided the Seneca have really become her family and she wants to remain with them.

I found it interesting that they would “adopt” a replacement from the whites who killed their family member... and gender didn’t matter. Mary or Corn Tassel was a replacement for a brother lost the year before. Her “sisters” cared about her and she learned to love her “nephew” even though he was an Indian baby and not her white baby that was killed by her captives.

I don’t know who would enjoy reading this Newberry honor winner of 1946. It’s too high for most of my students and I didn’t enjoy it enough to take the time to read it to them, though I could change my mind at a later date. ( )

This book for 5th or 6th grade readers tells the story of Mary Jemison. When she was 12 years old her family was taken captive. She was separated from the rest of them and taken to a Seneca village. At first she hated it because she missed her family, but when she was given the chance to return to her old lifestyle she didn't want to leave the Native Americans she had befriended. This book takes a look at assimilation from an unusual viewpoint. Here she is assimilating to the world of Native Americans rather than them being forced to assimilate to the white world.

The book "Indian Captive: The Story of Mary Jemison" is a book by Lois Lenski.As you can guess gy the title,the book is about Mary Jemison,who was an Indian captive.Mary's father said that the Indians wouldn't kill her because her hair was the color of corn husk.He was right.The Indians didn't kill her because of her hair.Mary Jemison went through many difficulties.Life with the Indians was different than life with her family.

I've have read this book twice.I found it very enjoyable.This book would be sutible for fourth and fith grade classes.It is good for young adluts to know that life wan't rainbows and sunshine in the olden days.It still isn't tday either.Things happen to people that can't be changed or avoided.You just have to gain from the knowledge you got from your experience. ( )

A good look at both sides of the issue I think. Glad I read it. ( )

I found this to be an engaging and interesting book based upon the life of an Indian captive from the early American west, mid 1700s.

Mary and her family are taken by the Indians, but she winds up alone, adopted by a Seneca tribe. Some of her captors are not kind, but others show love and compassion, treating her as their own child.

The book covers the first two years of Mary's captivity, as "Corn Tassel", named for her platinum blond hair.

I'd classify this as young adult to adult, but some more mature pre-teens would probably enjoy it. It's a gentler version of a similar book, "A Light in the Forest", which I would also recommend. ( )

This book is based on the true story of Mary Jemison, a young girl who was captured by an Indian raiding party. After being separated from her parents she is traded o two Seneca sisters. Although Mary misses home, the Indians are kind to her and soon she learns to sew moccasins, make pots and tend crops. Slowly she comes to accept the loss of her family and her new life with the Indians.

I thought this book was beautifully illustrated. The drawings were carefully done and brought the story to life. I found the dialogue a bit trying. The author used various dialects rather than writing in more simple terms. I also thought the story moved a bit slowly. Overall, it wasn't a bad book, but I didn't feel that it was a must read. ( )

I found the story [Indian Captive] a fascinating book. Where a young girl has to decide between living with whites or Indians. She decides well and lives a long, happy life. My favorite parts were when they were making things, like pots and bows and arrows. I guess I like those parts because I am crafty. I have already recommended this book to my mom, and she is going to read [The Unredeemed Captive]. ( )

Lenski, Lois. Indian Captive: The Story of Mary Jemison. New York: Scholastic Inc., 1941. This is the story of a girl named Mary who, according to legend, was kidnapped by Native Americans in 1758. This story is based on that legend. It accurately gives the picture of what life was like before the Revolutionary War during the time of the French and Indian War. It describes her life with her family in a cabin. This story describes her journey many miles through the forest to their tribe. She becomes a servant in the tribe. At first she is unhappy there but within time whe proves herself and is accepted by the tribe. The descriptions of the tribal life and culture gives a picture of the values and customs of the people. It also shows the hardships they endured through the winter to survive. This story has an interesting plot and it will keep any reader interested. The vocabulary is at 6/7th grade level. Age group: 10-13 years old. ( )

Personal response:

Based on a true incident, the young blonde captive is miserable, begins to adjust, meets whites & wants to hook up, then resolves to be Indian, then meets whites and wants out, decides being Indian is better, and so on, until she is finally allowed to make the decision to leave freely or remain with the Seneca people forever. She sees the respect native peoples have for the earth, animals, nature and each other. She has become one of them and remains with them.

Cirriculum/programming connections:

Excellent in a unit for young people who are interested in Native culture and history, want truth about the 'Indian Wars';can have a series of displays on all things Native: books, music, art, clothing, beadwork, etc.

This story is a fictionalized account of Mary Jemison, who was kidnapped and then adopted into the Seneca tribe in Ohio in the mid 1700s. The story paints a picture of her childhood with the tribe. Mary or Corn Tassel, is described and fleshed out in great detail. The author helps children understand the characters/time setting by using things such as clothing and good. A change in cutlure can be seen through the change in clothing and food, from a blue jean dress to buckskin clothing and corn prone to corn cakes. The plot is believable, Corn Tassel reacts as a period child would when faced with this situation. The book is based on true accounts of children that were kidnapped (including Mary Jemison). The theme reflects Mary's changing attitude toward her captors and how she starts to become family, as a replacement for a dead son. Many historical fiction books for children do not portray Native Americans in a good light, but Lenski seems to try to stay away from the trend. She shows that there are good and bad people among them, just as there are among "Englishmen". I feel that this is a good historical fiction book for a older elementary school student. ( )

This book is based on the true story of a young girl captured by Indians in the spring of 1758. After her home was invaded, Mary Jemison and her family were captured they led off into the wilderness by Indians who were careful to cover their trail. After a few days of relentless walking and hunger, the family is separated when Mary is given a pair of moccasins and lead away from her parents, sister, and baby brother. Unbeknown to Mary, her family will soon suffer an unfortunate death by the hand of the Indians. Mary’s new life is not easy. She misses her family while having a hard time adjusting to the Seneca ways. Now know as Corn Tassel, Mary tries with no success to run away for the Indians. She knows she would never make it on her own if she ran away. Throughout the year, Mary begins to learn many things from the kind Indian family who has adopted her as their own. Mary eventually learns the truth of her birth family’s demise. When she has the opportunity to return to the “white faces”, Mary must weigh her options. Will she stay with the Indians or return to a world she was once accustomed to.

This book was a joy to read. By reading this story, I learned a few details of the early Indian culture. This chapter book provides black and white pictures throughout the story. Literature circle questions and other activities are presented at the end of the book. While reading this story, I put myself in Mary’s shoes so to speak. I could feel the pain of this frighten young girl. Because of her strong will, I was driven to read in order it find out how Mary would overcome the obstacles she faced. This book will defiantly be passed along to my daughter who is ten years of age.

While reading this story, students can create a line graph to illustrate Mary’s first year living with the Seneca’s. Students could create a dictionary by illustrate and label tools and gear Mary was introduce to while living with the Seneca’s. Students could have a class discussion comparing Mary’s life before and after her capture. I would have Students to write an essay explaining their views about the end of the story. Did she make the right choice by staying with the Indians? Why or why not?