Mercy Clifton

Gr 3—6—In 1620, Mercy Clifton and her family journey from Holland to America aboard the Mayflower. Some travelers are looking for religious freedom in the New World, while others seek fortune, fame, or power. Mercy keeps a journal during their travels, and records the tales told by Jack Billington, a boy she fancies. When the group reaches the mainland, the Billingtons cause a great deal of trouble for the Pilgrims, as do the last settlers. War with the Native Americans seems inevitable. Bible passages and biblical messages are sprinkled throughout the tale. The crimson cross, a relic that has been passed along to a worthy person in each volume, is only mentioned briefly at the beginning of the story and not again until the end. Mercy is based on Mary Chilton, allegedly the first European woman to step ashore at Plymouth, Massachusetts. This title combines historical facts with fiction for an engaging listen that might inspire students to do additional research on Plymouth's founding.—Lori A. Guenthner, Maryland State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Baltimore