Wow, Pilgrim, What a Life! 

What would it have been like if your family was so unhappy in 1620 England, they moved to the  Dutch Netherlands, and then on to Colonial America?  If you were a child at that time, what experiences might you have had?  In this book, those questions, and more are answered, as seen through the eyes of young boy.

Ms. Roman does an excellent job condensing the religious reasons the Pilgrims were unhappy in England.  She brings those many facts, along with why they wanted to move to the New World, to a level a child can grasp.

During that time, the reader will learn that popular names for a boy were Comfort and Abraham.  Mercy and Patience were often chosen for girls.  A good point is made about what those names tell about society during those years.

Life in Colonial America had lots of hardships, including the frigid cold the settlers experienced in the elements when they arrived, and had no shelter.  The people that landed in Plymouth faced one tragedy after another, but the discussion of that hard time was kept to an age appropriate level.  The lobster story is sure to bring a smile to every one’s face!  It was also fun to learn the games children of this time period played.

Native Americans made a big contribution to keeping the Pilgrims alive, and taught them much needed skills to live in a land very different from the one left behind.  Thankful colonists had a three day feast in the fall of 1621 to celebrate surviving and harvesting crops.  They also included invitations for the local native people to join them.  Readers will learn this celebration was the origin of Thanksgiving.

  Reading this book is a good way to learn the many reasons why the Pilgrims made their journey, along with what daily life was like, and the sacrifices that were made to live in the new land.  I think it is good to understand what went into making the land that today is called the United States.  It should also make young readers aware of how fortunate they are to be living in modern times.

The author did an amazing job wrangling so much information into a child-friendly volume that is written in a narrative way.  Which, I believe, makes it easier for children to read and understand.  Lots of illustrations are found throughout the book.  A glossary, along with a short summary of the period’s influential people is included in the back.  This five-star book would be perfect for ages seven to fourteen, or anyone wanting an overview of Colonial America.

The author has provided bookreadingtic with a complimentary copy of If Your Were Me and Lived In….Colonial America, for the purpose of review.   I have not been compensated in any other manner.  All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

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