Pilgrim Kate

by Helen F. Daringer, Kate Seredy (Illustrator)

Story of English Separatist girl while they still lived in Holland, before sailing on the Mayflower to the New World.

Genres: Historical

252 pages, Hardcover

First published February 28, 1949

About the author

Helen Fern Daringer was born in 1892 in eastern Illinois. Independent and way ahead of her time, Ms. Daringer graduated from Eastern Illinois University, obtained a Master's Degree in English, and headed to New York City, where she became a professor of English literature at Columbia University. Miss Daringer wrote numerous books for children and young adults, including "Country Cousin," "The Turnabout Twins," and "Mary Montgomery, Rebel."

Reviews

[Jane Irish Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably 3.5 stars. Very enjoyable story about a young girl living in England around 1600. Her family is neighbors and friends with William Brewster and William Bradford. At first Kate seems very young for her fifteen years, but in some ways this is a coming-of-age novel. She resents her elder sister Meg's growing friendship with a young man, who is a member of dissenters; but at the same time she becomes friends with the FitzHugh family, who have just moved into the neighborhood. When she accompanies Meg to a meeting, instead of attending the local church, Kate begins to understand the attraction of the Puritan cause. The story is full of interesting characters, in a believable setting. Recommended.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable historical read

[Teresa Judd · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book in November, because I thought it was about the first Thanksgiving. When I started reading it, I had no clue what year the story takes place. Finally, in chapter 16, we're told it's 1608. So, it does not deal with the Pilgrims and the Mayflower. It IS about the beginning of the Separatist movement in England during the reign of James I. Somewhere back in my history classes, I believe I learned that the Pilgrims should not be confused with the Puritans, as they were two completely different religious schisms from the Church of England. However, it is mentioned in this book that the Separatists (Pilgrims) were Puritans. I need to check up on this.

I was somewhat disappointed in this book as it tells too much history and not enough story. I love Helen Daringer's Adopted Jane, and she does have an incredible writing style--very smooth and of the language of the time period. However, too much attention is paid to every day activity--going to the fair, making cheese, sewing a sampler--and every little detail is explored, much to the expense of character development. Giles, Kate's brother, who is mentioned throughout the book, doesn't even show up until chapter 19. Since the reader really doesn't know him, only the mentions of him, his sudden appearance is jarring.

I'm not sure if the historical content was used to flesh out the story, since it is the first of a trilogy (also including Debbie of the Green Gate, and Country Cousin.) I look forward to reading these. Obviously Daringer was a great researcher, but I'm waiting for the story inside.

[Kenyan · Rating 2 out of 5]

†his book took me a while to get through. it does not have a very strong plot..... basically Kate (the main character) is a girl who gets dirty, rides horses, has a sister who defies her father's will and gets married among other things, makes friends with a fancier girl of about the same age, and at the end of the book Kate and her family move to Amsterdam.