This one may be a bit 'off the radar' with a local author and publishing company. Strangers In Our Midst, Kathleen Vellenga, 2013, 40 Press. Kathleen, the descendant of two of the characters in her historical novel, has deeply researched both her Mayflower roots and the Wampanoag Indian tribe for this book. She served in the Minnesota House Of Representatives 1981-1994.
Kathleen was at our book club when we discussed her book. The plot as it relates to the passengers on the Mayflower is very accurate historically. She did deep research on the Wampanoag Indians, and, while the story is largely fictitious, members of the tribe have verified that her representations of their life and customs are accurate.
The main thrust of the story revolves around the friendship, fictitious, of two young girls, one from the Mayflower and the other from the Wampanoags. The narrative shifts voices alternating between these two young women. Elizabeth is Kathleen's ancestor; there is quite a bit of historical record about her and many of the details in the book are true to that. Attitash, the Indian women is fictional.
The sequel In The Midst Of Bounty, was published in 2016 and picks up where the other book left off. Vellenga is working on a third book that follows the same characters.
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