Thomas Savage was just thirteen when he sailed to the New World and was sent to live with Powhatan to learn the Algonquian language and be an interpreter between the Indians and the colonists. Pocahantas was a friendly teacher, and soon he was relaying messages. But as the tensions grew between the groups, Thomas’s job became difficult no matter how hard he tried not to take sides. Throughout the violent history of Jamestown, Thomas’s position provided a unique view of early America, now illuminated through the incomparable lens of Jean Fritz. Jamestown is celebrating its 400th anniversary throughout 2007, and this child-centered account of history will draw young readers right into the drama.
