I am Regina (book review)

I am Regina, by Sally M. Keehn, is a fictional tale based on the true story of a young woman named Regina Leininger, who was kidnapped by the Native Americans when she was ten years old and held captive until she was twenty. The story of Regina starts on her family's farm in the country. Regina is the younger of two daughters, and a bit of a worrywart. Her older sister Barbara, however, is fearless and mischievous. When a band of Native Americans burns their farm to the ground and captures Regina and Barbara, Barbara is the one who tries to escape and find help. However, her escape fails and she is recaptured. Now all the girls have are each other. But they are separated when Barbara is sent to live in another village, and Regina feels quite alone. Then she slowly befriends a young girl named Sara, and they are both given to a harsh old woman named Woelfin. Slowly Woelfin and her son, Tiger Claw, seem to accept Sara and Regina. The children begin to learn their the traditions of their new home. They even mourn as their neighbors are lost to the guns and diseases of the white man.

This was a shocking story about hope, survival, and courage. It portrayed the life of a young woman living under those circumstances very well, and as you start to know Regina, you begin to feel happy when she accomplishes something, and to mourn along with her when a friend is lost. It was an amazing book.

This book is for the Back to History Challenge.