First published 2011
In the Puritan settlement of Great Harbor, young Bethia yearns for an education denied to her by her gender. She finds solace exploring the island's shores and befriending Caleb, the son of a Wampanoag chieftain. As the two forge a secret bond, Bethia's minister father tries to convert Caleb's tribe, sparking a clash of cultures. When Caleb is selected to be the first Native American to attend Harvard, Bethia is reluctantly indentured as his housekeeper, where she observes his crossing of two worlds. Through Bethia's intimate narration, a luminous tale of love, faith, and the power of education unfolds.
Genres: literary-fiction, historical-fiction, coming-of-age, academic
Vibes: intimate, lyrical, thought-provoking
Tropes: cross-cultural, fish-out-of-water
Setting: Martha's Vineyard, United States, Massachusetts
Period: Puritan Settlement
306 pages · Hardcover · Viking