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Scholastic Biography
Pocahontas and the Strangers
A fictionalized account of the life of Pocahontas woven about the few facts known from historical records.
Reading Level: Age 7 and Up
Reading Level: Age 7 and Up
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1971
26 people are currently reading
645 people want to read
About the author
Clyde Robert Bulla
102 books99 followersBorn to be a Writer
Almost as far back as he can remember, Clyde Robert Bulla wanted to write. Born on a farm in a small town in Missouri, Mr. Bulla's first school was a one-room country schoolhouse. One day his teacher asked each first grade student what he or she would do with a thousand dollars. Young Clyde answered that he would buy a table. His classmates laughed heartily, and his teacher was puzzled. “What I really meant,” says Mr. Bulla, “is a desk or other flat surface on which to write my stories!”
First Stories
Mr. Bulla's first piece of writing was titled, “How Planets Were Born.” The ambitious opening sentence was, “One night old Mother Moon had a million babies.” All through school, Mr. Bulla continued to write stories mostly, but plays and poetry, too. After years of gathering editor's rejection slips, Mr. Bulla sold a magazine story, then several more. Soon after, Mr. Bulla wrote a novel and a publisher accepted it.
The Difficult Years
In the excitement of publishing a novel, Mr. Bulla wrote two more books. Unfortunately, no one wanted to publish them. His luck took a turn for the worse when the publisher of his first book went bankrupt. For several years, he worked at a local weekly newspaper where he struggled with linotype, kept books, collected bills, and wrote a weekly column.
Success!
A couple of Mr. Bulla's weekly columns caught the attention of a well-known author and illustrator of children's books. She wrote to Mr. Bulla, suggesting that he try writing a children's book. He immediately sent her a manuscript for a children's book he'd written a year before. Within one week, an editor of a New York publisher read the manuscript,and it was accepted. The book was The Donkey Cart, published in 1946. Since then, Mr. Bulla has written over twenty books for children, as well as the music for several children's song books.
About The Chalk Box Kid
“When I was young,” explains Mr. Bulla, “I sometimes found it hard to cope in new surroundings, and I was apt to get off on the wrong foot. This is the story of a boy who got off on the wrong foot in a new school and how he tried to cope.” In describing the chalk garden, Mr. Bulla says, “I gave Gregory something I've always wished for: a big, blank wall that I could cover with my own drawings.”
Almost as far back as he can remember, Clyde Robert Bulla wanted to write. Born on a farm in a small town in Missouri, Mr. Bulla's first school was a one-room country schoolhouse. One day his teacher asked each first grade student what he or she would do with a thousand dollars. Young Clyde answered that he would buy a table. His classmates laughed heartily, and his teacher was puzzled. “What I really meant,” says Mr. Bulla, “is a desk or other flat surface on which to write my stories!”
First Stories
Mr. Bulla's first piece of writing was titled, “How Planets Were Born.” The ambitious opening sentence was, “One night old Mother Moon had a million babies.” All through school, Mr. Bulla continued to write stories mostly, but plays and poetry, too. After years of gathering editor's rejection slips, Mr. Bulla sold a magazine story, then several more. Soon after, Mr. Bulla wrote a novel and a publisher accepted it.
The Difficult Years
In the excitement of publishing a novel, Mr. Bulla wrote two more books. Unfortunately, no one wanted to publish them. His luck took a turn for the worse when the publisher of his first book went bankrupt. For several years, he worked at a local weekly newspaper where he struggled with linotype, kept books, collected bills, and wrote a weekly column.
Success!
A couple of Mr. Bulla's weekly columns caught the attention of a well-known author and illustrator of children's books. She wrote to Mr. Bulla, suggesting that he try writing a children's book. He immediately sent her a manuscript for a children's book he'd written a year before. Within one week, an editor of a New York publisher read the manuscript,and it was accepted. The book was The Donkey Cart, published in 1946. Since then, Mr. Bulla has written over twenty books for children, as well as the music for several children's song books.
About The Chalk Box Kid
“When I was young,” explains Mr. Bulla, “I sometimes found it hard to cope in new surroundings, and I was apt to get off on the wrong foot. This is the story of a boy who got off on the wrong foot in a new school and how he tried to cope.” In describing the chalk garden, Mr. Bulla says, “I gave Gregory something I've always wished for: a big, blank wall that I could cover with my own drawings.”
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
March 30, 2020
This is a very nice account of the life of Pocahontas from the arrival of the "pale faces" (the English) until her death. I greatly enjoyed it.
September 9, 2021
It was a very good book. It had good characters, including Tom Rolfe and Pocahontas. They were nice. Tom Rolfe tried to do what Pocahontas asked him to do, like to go back to Jamestown. Pocahontas didn't do anything to hurt anybody. The ending was sad, but it was realistic.
May 20, 2018
A quick read told from the perspective of Pocahontas. The novel is easy to understand for lower-level readers for a couple of reasons. There are consistent charcoal sketches throughout the text to assist in understanding the story. Also, the text is not a difficult read, the language and the storyline are simple and easy to follow.
June 27, 2023
Pocahontas and the Strangers, by Clyde Robert Bulla
Written in 1971, this is an account of the Native American princess who saved the life of Captain John Smith in the early days of our country. It begins with a description of life in her village before the coming of the English settlers, and tells about their encounters, both good and bad. Overall, it's a sad story, because the English betrayed Pocahontas and her tribe over and over with lies and trickery. The natives did their share of underhanded trading, but mostly the clash of cultures left both parties dissatisfied and unhappy. The famous scene where Pocahontas saves the life of John Smith is detailed and explained, as well as the subsequent adoption of John Smith into the tribe. Pocahontas was probably fairly young at this point (the book doesn't say, but other accounts say about 10 or 11), and it sounds like she really wanted a relationship with the captain that he didn't understand. Eventually, he broke a promise to her that he would take her back to England with him. He was grievously wounded in a fire and wanted to die at home. She was told that he would not have lived.
But years later, after she had married the Englishman John Rolfe and gone with him to England, she met John Smith again. He had recovered from his wound and forgotten all about Pocahontas. She felt betrayed all over again. Although she had a child, Thomas, with Rolfe, she didn't live much longer, but fell victim to a fever, and probably depression, as she never adjusted to life in England. She was only 21 at her death.
Written in 1971, this is an account of the Native American princess who saved the life of Captain John Smith in the early days of our country. It begins with a description of life in her village before the coming of the English settlers, and tells about their encounters, both good and bad. Overall, it's a sad story, because the English betrayed Pocahontas and her tribe over and over with lies and trickery. The natives did their share of underhanded trading, but mostly the clash of cultures left both parties dissatisfied and unhappy. The famous scene where Pocahontas saves the life of John Smith is detailed and explained, as well as the subsequent adoption of John Smith into the tribe. Pocahontas was probably fairly young at this point (the book doesn't say, but other accounts say about 10 or 11), and it sounds like she really wanted a relationship with the captain that he didn't understand. Eventually, he broke a promise to her that he would take her back to England with him. He was grievously wounded in a fire and wanted to die at home. She was told that he would not have lived.
But years later, after she had married the Englishman John Rolfe and gone with him to England, she met John Smith again. He had recovered from his wound and forgotten all about Pocahontas. She felt betrayed all over again. Although she had a child, Thomas, with Rolfe, she didn't live much longer, but fell victim to a fever, and probably depression, as she never adjusted to life in England. She was only 21 at her death.
May 4, 2020
I really enjoyed this book! I recommend it for ages eight plus if you read it alone. It's an adventurous story. I also recommend it to people who enjoy reading about Native Americans' history or historical fiction.
February 14, 2023
History is just a collection of stories. This one brought light to the famous "Indian" and her interactions with the English settlers. Some parts were a bit wordy, trying to pack too much information in. But overall, it was a good read.
October 27, 2022
Super pooper good baby
February 16, 2021
I liked this book around the climax, before that it was very dry. In the end of the book it ends very abruptly. I would not go out of my way to read this book, however for a book to read for school it was not bad. I am giving it a 4/5 stars because it was not bad, but I am taking the extra star away because of the ending. You would have to read it to understand. Overall this book is okay, but I would not go out of my way to read it.
September 20, 2019
Fun and historical read!
February 6, 2020
I know that people don’t necessarily always have the best ending to their life, but the ending of this book was weird and stopped abruptly. The book ends by saying that Pocahontas would never wake up again. I think that they should have added something about what happened after her death—then it wouldn’t feel like this book didn’t end very abruptly.
December 15, 2018
Quick read, good to include in early American history
March 17, 2013
Summary
This book tells the story of a young curious Indian girl named Pocahontas. Pocahontas is the daughter of king Powhatan. She worked in the fields along with the other women and children. One day, the village received message of palefaces down by the river. She remembered stories that a wise old women, Hapsis, told about her encounters among the paleface. Then, Pocahontas forces her brother to go with her so she could see the palefaces. When they return back to the village, Pocahontas was disappointed to learn that she missed the palefaces. The palefaces came to the village while she was away. The Indians begin not to trust the palefaces. Powhatan captured Captain John Smith, the paleface leader, and held him prison. He had a great feast with plans to kill Captain John Smith in hope it would drive the rest away. Pocahontas uses the Laws of the tribe to save his life. She becomes friends with Captain John Smith. She learned some of their language, that they were English, and that they called her Indian. However, many Indians in her village still did not trust the Englishmen. When the Englishmen were starving Pocahontas brought them food. She always treated them like friends and questioned why her father and other Indians thought they were enemy. In attempts to work a deal with Powhatan, the Englishmen capture Pocahontas and held her as their prisoner. Because she was just a child, she stayed with the Governor Gates family. Governor Gates has two daughters Pocahontas’s age. They taught Pocahontas to speak their language, their culture, and how to read. Pocahontas met a guardsmen named John Rolfe and fell in love. Their marriage eased some of the tension between the Indian and the English. Pocahontas and John had a son, they named Thomas. When her father never came to see her son, Pocahontas decided to travel to London with her husband and son. While in London Pocahontas became homesick and passed away before she could return home.
Response
I give this book a four star rating. This book was categorized as a Biography in the literacy center but I also felt like it could be historical fiction too. It not only was about Pocahontas, but also included how the English presence in America changed the Indians way of life. This is also a story about trust. I believe the Indians would have had more trust for the Englishmen if the Englishmen would have left their guns at home and not brought them into the Indian villages when the visited.
Classroom Connection
Ask students to create a landmark that commemorates both the European Settlers and the Native American viewpoints concerning the Colonizing of America. They may either draw an illustration of their proposed landmark or create a small-scale model of it using various art supplies. Then, have each student present his landmark, along with an explanation of its symbolism, in front of the class. I remember my son doing this for school one year. This lesson can be found at TeacherVision: http://www.teachervision.fen.com/than...
Text Complexity
According to Scholastic Book Wizard, this book has a lexile measurement of 370L and a guided reading of O. Using this information, I believe students in grades 3 – 5 would find this story interesting.
This book tells the story of a young curious Indian girl named Pocahontas. Pocahontas is the daughter of king Powhatan. She worked in the fields along with the other women and children. One day, the village received message of palefaces down by the river. She remembered stories that a wise old women, Hapsis, told about her encounters among the paleface. Then, Pocahontas forces her brother to go with her so she could see the palefaces. When they return back to the village, Pocahontas was disappointed to learn that she missed the palefaces. The palefaces came to the village while she was away. The Indians begin not to trust the palefaces. Powhatan captured Captain John Smith, the paleface leader, and held him prison. He had a great feast with plans to kill Captain John Smith in hope it would drive the rest away. Pocahontas uses the Laws of the tribe to save his life. She becomes friends with Captain John Smith. She learned some of their language, that they were English, and that they called her Indian. However, many Indians in her village still did not trust the Englishmen. When the Englishmen were starving Pocahontas brought them food. She always treated them like friends and questioned why her father and other Indians thought they were enemy. In attempts to work a deal with Powhatan, the Englishmen capture Pocahontas and held her as their prisoner. Because she was just a child, she stayed with the Governor Gates family. Governor Gates has two daughters Pocahontas’s age. They taught Pocahontas to speak their language, their culture, and how to read. Pocahontas met a guardsmen named John Rolfe and fell in love. Their marriage eased some of the tension between the Indian and the English. Pocahontas and John had a son, they named Thomas. When her father never came to see her son, Pocahontas decided to travel to London with her husband and son. While in London Pocahontas became homesick and passed away before she could return home.
Response
I give this book a four star rating. This book was categorized as a Biography in the literacy center but I also felt like it could be historical fiction too. It not only was about Pocahontas, but also included how the English presence in America changed the Indians way of life. This is also a story about trust. I believe the Indians would have had more trust for the Englishmen if the Englishmen would have left their guns at home and not brought them into the Indian villages when the visited.
Classroom Connection
Ask students to create a landmark that commemorates both the European Settlers and the Native American viewpoints concerning the Colonizing of America. They may either draw an illustration of their proposed landmark or create a small-scale model of it using various art supplies. Then, have each student present his landmark, along with an explanation of its symbolism, in front of the class. I remember my son doing this for school one year. This lesson can be found at TeacherVision: http://www.teachervision.fen.com/than...
Text Complexity
According to Scholastic Book Wizard, this book has a lexile measurement of 370L and a guided reading of O. Using this information, I believe students in grades 3 – 5 would find this story interesting.
January 21, 2020
We just finished this one today. I'm reading to all (10, 8, 5, 2.5, and nb) but my main listeners are the oldest two (10 & 8). I'm enjoying Clyde Robert Bulla. I believe this is book three of his for us. I've always known the bits of Pocahontas tales from my own childhood when the Disney movie was first released. And later learned of John Rolfe. It is interesting that such a children's book would envoke such emotions and feelings in me. It is interesting to see my children introduction to both the legends and the history. It does pair well with what else we are reading. My girls are enjoying this and I think they are learning underlying messages. First from Walk the World's Rim and A Lion to Guard Us to now Pocahontas and the Strangers and The Sign of the Beaver. I'm curious how they will receive the story of Squanto next. We've read a picture book but not yet the Bulla chapter book.
I own this paperback as recommended from BookShark Level 3, Introduction to American History.
I own this paperback as recommended from BookShark Level 3, Introduction to American History.
April 16, 2016
I gave three stars for this, because I really likes the story but also kind of boring. I saw pocahontas in movie verison before and after finished this book, I think the book version is better than the movie. I like how the author made me kind of think. First I thought Pocahontas and Captin John Smith(I'm not sure the spelling;) will get marry but after then he die she married with the other guy.
I liked the story, but the book didn't persuade me to read. I got boring while I read this book. Maybe it would be better if the book kind of put persuasive in the story, then I might gave four stars for this book.
I liked the story, but the book didn't persuade me to read. I got boring while I read this book. Maybe it would be better if the book kind of put persuasive in the story, then I might gave four stars for this book.
January 24, 2008
Read as part of Parent-Child Book discussion group. It was not very well written and has dialogue, but is called a biography. Perhaps good to read as a critique of biographies and as a contrast to Disney's movie. I would pair it with something more recently written and with more primary source documentation. It did engage my seven year old daughter, but raised confusion about Pocahontas not really still being alive although we met her at Disney. Be prepared if reading this with a youngster who is still a believer in the imaginary.
December 11, 2007
We read this for the PageTurners book discussion group at my library. I have a problem with books that claim to be "biographies" with full conversations and details we could not possibly know. This was a novel, loosely based upon the facts known about Pocahontas' life (which are few and far between). It focuses mainly on her life as a child in Virginia, with only a few chapters dedicated to her married life and the year or so spent in England. Not particularly well-written, and it ends very abruptly, but the kids (ages 8-12) liked it ok.
September 8, 2008
This is just a little biography of Pocahontas for the kiddies. It's nothing spectacular--mere waiting room material. The book has two main sections: the first focuses on the events surrounding her interaction with Captain John Smith, the second picks up a few years later and tells of her marriage and eventual trip to England. She had an interesting life, which makes it worth reading. I was left wanting to know more. I don't know, however, if that's a weakness of the book or more reflective of the fact that I'm a grown up and the book is written for kids.
December 30, 2011
I read this book with my children.
I have always loved the story of Pocahontas, and it is surprising how much conflicting information there is out there about her! I do not know how much of this biography is historically accurate, but we enjoyed it nonetheless.
I do find it quite surprising at the change in Pocahontas after she marries and becomes known as Rebecca, whose lifestyle is a far cry from her former life as Pocahontas!
We haven’t met a Bulla book yet that we haven’t enjoyed! He is a great story-teller.
MY RATING: 3 stars! We liked it!!
I have always loved the story of Pocahontas, and it is surprising how much conflicting information there is out there about her! I do not know how much of this biography is historically accurate, but we enjoyed it nonetheless.
I do find it quite surprising at the change in Pocahontas after she marries and becomes known as Rebecca, whose lifestyle is a far cry from her former life as Pocahontas!
We haven’t met a Bulla book yet that we haven’t enjoyed! He is a great story-teller.
MY RATING: 3 stars! We liked it!!
April 5, 2012
I wasn't overly thrilled with this version of Pocahontas's life. I love the story of Pocahontas, but I am not sure this version is all that accurate. It definitely will help a young reader see her as a person, rather than some historical figure with a dry past.
I read it with my third grader, but felt it was more appropriate for an even younger age. If a child is just learning about Pocahontas this is not a bad book to pick up. nevertheless, if you want something more accurate and meaty, look elsewhere.
My third grader really liked it, so I will give this review an extra star.
I read it with my third grader, but felt it was more appropriate for an even younger age. If a child is just learning about Pocahontas this is not a bad book to pick up. nevertheless, if you want something more accurate and meaty, look elsewhere.
My third grader really liked it, so I will give this review an extra star.
November 19, 2012
I had intend to read it aloud to Raisin, but we didn’t get to it. Bulla’s story is the romanticized story of Pocahontas saving John Smith’s life. I liked reading it, but I did not feel it was remarkable. Raisin got the same information by watching a cartoon movie about Pocahontas (from the Animated Hero Classics series). Bulla’s writing is formulaic and was somewhat boring to me, but it is at just the right level for a second or third grade reader to read himself.
August 31, 2014
Good, clear, children's version of Pocahontas' life. However, it is important to note that her life was very sad and, in many ways, a portent of the tragedies to come. Since this book is written at a level that younger elementary can read, the subject matter needs to be discussed and the child prepared. This book does much to paint a truer picture of her life than popular culture, for which I find makes it highly commendable.
February 26, 2009
My daugther is currently reading this to me. It's a great snuggle up read time book with Mom. I like that it introduces children to the Indian Princess. I just wish it was more accurate, but alas, so little is known. One thing is for sure, Pocahontas was a great politician and was an asset to her tribe.
November 2, 2012
I remeber thinking about the disney movie "Pocahontas" when I was reading this and how this seemed more adventurous. The potrayal of Pocahontas in this story reveals her as a child and not a young adult like in the disney movie. But it was a great read. I love tales that include Native Americans. It's the closest I come to loving history.
December 31, 2016
Good at portraying perspective of Pocahontas and about her and John Smith's story.
Simple language but the story moves along.
Even though Pocahontas is known to be the mitigator between the Englishmen and her father, the story does well in depicting the sadness of how she and her life ends up hurt by both.
(삼 학년)
Simple language but the story moves along.
Even though Pocahontas is known to be the mitigator between the Englishmen and her father, the story does well in depicting the sadness of how she and her life ends up hurt by both.
(삼 학년)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 15, 2024
Simple but moving story about the legendary Pocahontas and her relationships with Captain John Smith and John Rolfe, leaders at Jamestown, the first surviving English colony in North America. The story ends in England in 1617 where Pocahontas dies after living there for about a year with her husband, John Rolfe, and her son, Thomas.
November 17, 2023
We read this to learn about Pocahontas, Captain John Smith, and Jamestown for our homeschool. While a fictional account, it gave a good description of who these people were. Interesting, sad story. Good moral to teach your children to stand up for what is right despite the consequences. All my children enjoyed it (12 year old son, 9 son, and 6 daughter).
November 2, 2010
The kids were seriously bummed by the ending, they didn't see it coming. I wanted to show them the movie The New World after they finished, but they are still a bit young for some of the content. But I LOVE that movie! I guess I'll use it next go around at Am. History.
November 29, 2010
This is the story of a brave little girl and how she came to save an Englishman named Captain John Smith. A tale that helps children understand how this remarkable woman grew to be a part of history.
March 19, 2012
I don't know how "historic" this could be considered, but it was a nice way to add a more personal picture of the complexity behind the English Colonial/Native relations to our history studies. It is written simply, and maybe not the best for reading aloud, but fun all the same.
October 29, 2012
Read this with my 4th grader as he is learning Virginia history this year. I think it might be better geared towards 2nd graders. I have no idea how accurate this story is - sadly I don't know that much about Pocahontas.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews