Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks

This was the first book we read together.  Set in early colonial times, it was the story of a young intelligent girl raised by her missionary parents in what was now Nantucket.  Though her father did not formally let her learn, she ended up soaking all of his lessons and loved learning.  The young Indian she befriends is encouraged by her and her father to leave his native culture and customs and become "Americanized". 
What I learned:  I kinda mourned again for all of the injustices we inflicted upon the Indians, in treating them as if they were ignorant, in belittling their culture and extremely wise understanding of medicinal herbs and healing.  Caleb, although he learned & understood Christianity, also became a little "lost" at Princeton and confused in how he could still remain true to his heritage with a new faith.  It made me evaluate in myself how other people's differences sometimes make me uncomfortable and how I might be so much like that young girl, trying to change others --rather than letting God do the changing.

It's About Time....

Time to get going on this Book Blog that Ben helped me set up way last Christmas.  I think my goal is to summarize & critique the books I am reading.  This will be both Christian non-fiction and some of the fiction novels that I am reading with my book club (Pam K., Pam D., and Donna).