In 1607, when John Smith and his "Coatmen" arrive in Powhatan to begin
settling the colony of Virginia, their relations with the village's
inhabitants are anything but warm. Pocahontas, the beloved daughter of
the Powhatan chief, Mamanatowic, is just eleven; but in spite of her
age, this astute young girl acts with wisdom and compassion, and plays a
fateful, peaceful role in the destinies of two peoples.
Drawing from the personal journals of John Smith, Joseph Bruchac, winner
of the American Book Award for Breaking Silence, reveals an important
part of history through the eyes of two historic figures.