This was actually a good book, but too deeply disturbing to enjoy. ( )

I was very interested in this book, because it is set in the area where I was born. I was concerned that Keehn would portray Native American in a very negative way. Keehn spared no brutality and portrayed the French and Indian war, the English settlers and the Indians in a fair and accurate way. The story really hinged upon Regina having two identities. She was truly a child of two worlds. I enjoyed the book although it may be a little intense for some squeamish, younger readers. ( )

I am Regina was an amazing book. I mostly admired Barbara’s braveness. She was so brave that she wanted to actually escape when she was in front of all of the mighty Indians. She just risked her life to save everyone that got captured. A TWELVE YEAR OLD RISKED HER LIFE TO SAVE THE CAPTURED CHILDREN!! If I was her, I would be too afraid to risk my own life. She knew that they were going to burn her alive; however, she didn’t really care. In the story, she is the same age as me and she is so much mature than me. Because of her braveness, she saved her life and the Indians treated her with respect. In this book, I learn that being brave can actually changed your life and can change others around you too. ( )

In the Pennsylvania wilderness, ten-year-old Regina’s father and brother are killed and her home burned. She is taken captive by Native Americans and is adopted into their society.

Sally M. Keehn published her historical novel, I am Regina, in 1991 with Yearling. The story contains a large number of wonderful poetic images including fires that appear like blood soaked cloths, women with arthritic claws and eagles that capture people in their talons. Many of the poetic language and images deteriorate, however, because they are immersed in writing that is often telling and does not flow well. The sentences that make up some of Keehn’s paragraphs do not always seem to be about the same subject and my jar readers out of the story. For example, on page 37, Keehn writes “There [Barbara, Regina’s sister] would alert the army, lead them back to set me free. This yoke I wear is heavy. Its straps burn into my shoulders and my legs feel weak.” While the freedom Regina alludes to is most likely a freedom from the Native Americans that are holding her captive, the yoke she is carrying holds a little girl. Regina’s concerns are of two different subjects, yet the thoughts are put side by side in one paragraph. Keehn does a good job of incorporating historical facts into the timeline of the story. She also did a good job of constructing Regina to be a believable character. There are many religious themes throughout the story.

Regina sees her father and brothers killed, and she and her sister are taken from them by their killers: Allegheny Native Americans. At first Regina is bitter and can not forgive her captors, but as time passes, she becomes part of the tribe and is only later pulled away by white soldiers. She has lost many of her memories, but is finally reunited with her mother. ( )