My Name Is America: The Journal Of Jasper Jonathan Pierce, A Pilgrim Boy
In 1620, an indentured servant named Jasper Jonathan Pierce sets sail  with his master and 100 others on theMayflower, seeking adventure,  freedom from the rules of King James's church, and a new way of life in  America.While many people are familiar with the history of the Pilgrims, popular  historical novelist Ann Rinaldi (The Last Silk DressandA Break With Charity: A Story About the  Salem Witch Trials) delves far deeper into the day-to-day life of these  brave pioneers. Beleaguered by internal strife and sickness, the passengers and  crew of theMayflowerarrived in Plymouth ill-equipped to last the  winter. With the help of several Indians who befriended the settlers, many  survived, although a number of them died. Viewed through the eyes of 14-year-old  Jasper, who records the events of his first 15 months in America in his journal,  the Pilgrims' experiences take on a fresh, current feel. Although Jasper is a  fictional character, the other characters in the story were real people, and the  events are soundly based on factual accounts. Encounters with Pilgrim bullies,  the suicide of one woman, and blow-by-blow details of the hardships endured make  this an exciting, intelligent addition to the excellent My Name Is America  series. (Ages 9 to 12)--Emilie Coulter