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True Story of Pocahontas (Step into Reading) by Penner, Lucille
Illus. in full color. Filled with suspense, romance, and historical details, here's a very young biography of the Powhatan Indian princess who played a vital role in early Colonial and Native American relations.
Paperback
First published August 1, 1994
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194 people want to read
About the author
Lucille Recht Penner
67 books5 followersLucille Recht Penner is the author of many nonfiction books for kids, including Dinosaur Babies and Monster Bugs in Random House’s Step into Reading program. She lives in Tucson, AZ.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
July 16, 2019
Considering the grade level that this is aimed towards and the publication date, the book did better than I thought. While Pocahontas' death is not addressed, and the comment about her wedding dress was a bit strange, Penner does include the kidnapping and Pocahontas is depicted as the age she would have actually been.
August 29, 2016
This is a level 3 reader for a more advanced beginning reader. This book of Pocahontas I enjoyed as it does seem like it's more 'true' than some of the others we've read about her. Starting when she was a little girl and it takes us through until her death. It had facts and information I had never read about her before. It's written in a way that isn't "History in your face" I read it out loud to my special needs adult son and he payed attention and looked at the illustrations as I read to him.
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June 21, 2018Lexile 440 - Reading Counts 2 Points
November 29, 2016
1. Book summary, in your own words (3 pts)
The True Story of Pocahontas is an informational book about an Indian who became friends with John Smith and English settlers visiting her land. It talks about how she risks her life to save an Englishmen, how she was kidnapped, and how she left her home to go to a whole new world. It was a very interesting book, a great read.
2. Grade level, interest level, lexile (1 pt)
This would be a book for students in kindergarten to 2nd grade. It is a great introduction book to learning about Pocahontas. It was very easy to read.
3. Appropriate classroom use (subject area) (1 pt)
I would use this book during the reading part of the class and when we talk about history.
4. Individual students who might benefit from reading (1 pt)
Students interested in history would like this book.
5. Small group use (literature circles) (1 pt)
I do not think I would use this in small groups.
6. Whole class use (read aloud) (1 pt)
This would be a book that I would have in my classroom library. I would also maybe read this book aloud during history.
7. Related books in genre/subject or content area (1 pt)
Lewis and Clark: A Prairie Dog for the President (Step into Reading, Step 3) by Shirley Raye Redmond
The First Thanksgiving (Step-Into-Reading, Step 3) by Linda Hayward
8. Multimedia connections (audio books, movie) available (1 pt)
There are no multimedia connections to this book.
The True Story of Pocahontas is an informational book about an Indian who became friends with John Smith and English settlers visiting her land. It talks about how she risks her life to save an Englishmen, how she was kidnapped, and how she left her home to go to a whole new world. It was a very interesting book, a great read.
2. Grade level, interest level, lexile (1 pt)
This would be a book for students in kindergarten to 2nd grade. It is a great introduction book to learning about Pocahontas. It was very easy to read.
3. Appropriate classroom use (subject area) (1 pt)
I would use this book during the reading part of the class and when we talk about history.
4. Individual students who might benefit from reading (1 pt)
Students interested in history would like this book.
5. Small group use (literature circles) (1 pt)
I do not think I would use this in small groups.
6. Whole class use (read aloud) (1 pt)
This would be a book that I would have in my classroom library. I would also maybe read this book aloud during history.
7. Related books in genre/subject or content area (1 pt)
Lewis and Clark: A Prairie Dog for the President (Step into Reading, Step 3) by Shirley Raye Redmond
The First Thanksgiving (Step-Into-Reading, Step 3) by Linda Hayward
8. Multimedia connections (audio books, movie) available (1 pt)
There are no multimedia connections to this book.
November 14, 2019
Book Title: The True Story of Pocahontas
Author/Illustrator: Lucille Recht Penner / Pamela Johnson
Reading Level: 3.2
Book Level: K-5th grade
Book Summary: This is the story of Pocahontas, who was an Indian princess living in North America when English came over. In her life she saved an Englishman from death, was kidnapped and left her family to go on her own adventure.
Bookshelf Mentor Writing Traits
Organization – The story is written in the order that it happened in Pocahontas’s life. It starts as a young girl and the adventures that happens as she grows and marries. I would have students write a short story about their life this far. Things that have happened or that they have done. They could include a brother or sister being born or a vacation they took. Just have them understand the concept of writing in chronological order.
Conventions – This is an excellent story to show proper use of punctuation and capitalization. There is also use of quotation marks when someone is speaking.
Have students use the quotations in the story and add more of their own to make a play to present of Pocahontas’ life.
Author/Illustrator: Lucille Recht Penner / Pamela Johnson
Reading Level: 3.2
Book Level: K-5th grade
Book Summary: This is the story of Pocahontas, who was an Indian princess living in North America when English came over. In her life she saved an Englishman from death, was kidnapped and left her family to go on her own adventure.
Bookshelf Mentor Writing Traits
Organization – The story is written in the order that it happened in Pocahontas’s life. It starts as a young girl and the adventures that happens as she grows and marries. I would have students write a short story about their life this far. Things that have happened or that they have done. They could include a brother or sister being born or a vacation they took. Just have them understand the concept of writing in chronological order.
Conventions – This is an excellent story to show proper use of punctuation and capitalization. There is also use of quotation marks when someone is speaking.
Have students use the quotations in the story and add more of their own to make a play to present of Pocahontas’ life.
November 30, 2024
Genre: Nonfiction/Biography
Grade Level: 2nd to 4th grade
The True Story of Pocahontas introduces readers to the life of Pocahontas, a Native American woman from the Powhatan tribe. The book recounts her interactions with English settlers in Jamestown, including her role in saving Captain John Smith and her efforts to bring peace between her people and the colonists. This is a great educational book and easy read for those who are interested in Native Americans.
Grade Level: 2nd to 4th grade
The True Story of Pocahontas introduces readers to the life of Pocahontas, a Native American woman from the Powhatan tribe. The book recounts her interactions with English settlers in Jamestown, including her role in saving Captain John Smith and her efforts to bring peace between her people and the colonists. This is a great educational book and easy read for those who are interested in Native Americans.
October 20, 2018
I learned a lot about Pocahontas from reading this book. I enjoyed how it gave a lot of detail about her life but it was overbearing or too much. The illustrations are very vibrant and add a lot to the story. This would be great biogeography for younger readers. I would consider adding this to my future classroom library.
Genre: Biography
Reading level: K-2
Genre: Biography
Reading level: K-2
November 15, 2019
Biography
1st-3rd grade
I could not believe that Pocahontas’ father had more than a hundred children and many wives. This is crazy! I cannot imagine what that must have felt like for her. The shock she must’ve felt from living in a place surround by trees, then moving and living in a place that was surround by buildings, so many people, and new things had to be so overwhelming!
1st-3rd grade
I could not believe that Pocahontas’ father had more than a hundred children and many wives. This is crazy! I cannot imagine what that must have felt like for her. The shock she must’ve felt from living in a place surround by trees, then moving and living in a place that was surround by buildings, so many people, and new things had to be so overwhelming!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2021
Biography
K-1st grade
I enjoyed reading this book and learning more detailed information about Pocahontas. I've seen the Disney movie but reading this book taught me information that I did not know. I didn't know that Pocahontas's father was called a Cheif and her family culture is very different than cultures today.
K-1st grade
I enjoyed reading this book and learning more detailed information about Pocahontas. I've seen the Disney movie but reading this book taught me information that I did not know. I didn't know that Pocahontas's father was called a Cheif and her family culture is very different than cultures today.
March 17, 2023
Emma did not like the fact that Pocahontas was transformed into an English woman. She said the English were bad guys
April 24, 2023
Very educational book
September 27, 2021
Step back into history and learn the true story of Pocahontas! Appropriate book for early readers.
April 8, 2013
The True Story of Pocahontas by Lucille Recht Penner is a nonfiction work intended for P-I readers. It is the tale of Pocahontas’s life, starting amongst her native family - the Powhatans, to the meeting of the English men and Captain John Smith, to the fighting that ensues between the two groups, to her capture in hopes for peace by the Powhatans, to her marriage to John Rolfe, and ultimately to her remaining in England for the remainder of her life.
This book is an insightful read to the establishment of Jamestown and the struggles of both the English and Powhatan parties. The plot is ongoing as the story simply relays history to the truest. Pocahontas is an endearing character for readers of all ages. In this book she is depicted as a sweet-faced, beautiful dark-skinned native Indian girl. Though she is the protagonist, her depiction however is not as alluring as I’d hoped; she blends in too much with the other native characters. The colors of the book are neither bright nor bold, consisting of shades of brown, green, and white. The language which lays out the story is easy and understandable.
This book would absolutely appeal to young readers, predominantly those with minds tuned into history. It’s a story that would stick in the heart of children, which they’d be able to recall later on in their studies of American history. I would inevitably use this story in a history lesson of tribes in early colonial life. I would have the students draw the Native American tribe and caption their illustrations based on the story of Pocahontas.
This book is an insightful read to the establishment of Jamestown and the struggles of both the English and Powhatan parties. The plot is ongoing as the story simply relays history to the truest. Pocahontas is an endearing character for readers of all ages. In this book she is depicted as a sweet-faced, beautiful dark-skinned native Indian girl. Though she is the protagonist, her depiction however is not as alluring as I’d hoped; she blends in too much with the other native characters. The colors of the book are neither bright nor bold, consisting of shades of brown, green, and white. The language which lays out the story is easy and understandable.
This book would absolutely appeal to young readers, predominantly those with minds tuned into history. It’s a story that would stick in the heart of children, which they’d be able to recall later on in their studies of American history. I would inevitably use this story in a history lesson of tribes in early colonial life. I would have the students draw the Native American tribe and caption their illustrations based on the story of Pocahontas.
October 23, 2009
The True Story of Pocahontas was a longer picture book but a lot of that is because of the large pictures that accompanied the text. The pictures were simple in detail but they were colorful and accurately depicted what was going on in the story. The illustrations were done in water color paints, which I enjoyed. The book broke down the life of Pocahontas in a way that could be easily be understood be younger elementary aged students. The story had an obvious plot and climax, which can help to keep readers attention and interest.
December 23, 2015
Excellent early reading book about the start of Contact in Jamestown. Dealt gently with some of the uglier parts of colonial history, including the abduction and hostage holding of Pocahontas by Captain Argall with assistance from the Powatan traitor Jopassus. It is a great introduction to a complex topic, totally appropriate for young readers without over simplifying the relationship between early European settlers and the people native to that land.
April 5, 2011
This Step-Into-Reading book is a good relatively accurate description of what we know about the life of Pocahontas in simple language with pictures. While it does include a bit of the mythology where Pocahontas saves the life of John Smith, it follows what can be verified about her life fairly closely. I am happy to have a more accurate version of the story to share with my daughter who at four still believes that Pocahontas must have stood on a cliff and sang "Colors of the Wind."
December 9, 2013
this is the true story of Pocahontas in early colonial life and native american. everyone knows the story of Pocahontas and she is a very famous native american so i would defiantly have my class read this book for social studies.
November 17, 2010
This would be a good book to make connections between social studies and language arts. It is an informational pieace that is enjoying.
November 29, 2012
I learned quite a bit about Pocahontas, whom I never really learned about in school. I think I enjoyed this book more than my son--for kids, it is a little dry.
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January 29, 2015440L
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October 6, 2013I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12228946
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12228946
October 16, 2014
This book is very good. The illustrations are very well done and the information is interesting. I never knew Pocahontas went to England!! Would definitely have in my classroom.
May 8, 2015
Wow, that was really bad.
June 8, 2016
She got an A on her book report.
November 25, 2012
This was my favorite book in 2nd grade.
September 15, 2016
My 2nd grader and I enjoyed reading this book together. It is very factual, but not dry.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews