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Physical Development of European Colonies
Religious, Political, and Economic Motives

The Journal of Jasper Jonathan Pierce by Ann Rinaldi
New York:  Scholastic Inc., 2000

     Told through the journal of fourteen year old Jasper Pierce, this is the story of the Mayflower and the voyage of the Pilgrims to America in 1620.  After a dangerous and difficult trip, these early American settlers finally step foot in the New World on November 11, 1620.  In reality,  the Mayflower did not reach Plymouth Harbor until December 26, 1620.  Even then they fell short of their intended destination of Virginia, landing at Cape Cod.  The colony is named Plymouth commemorating the port from where they had set sail ten weeks earlier.  Some failed to survive the journey, and many others were very sick.  Those that were healthy enough to work had precious little time to build shelter for the winter. 
     Jasper's journal is written for his twelve year old brother Tom who remains in England.  It describes the dissension within the group both during and after the voyage, as well as the signing of the Mayflower Compact committing the colonists to abide by the decisions of their leaders. Jasper's journal explains that many of these early settlers were Separatists, an uncompromising sect of Pilgrims who completely rejected any affiliation with the Church of England.  In fact, they left England in 1607 settling initially in Holland to avoid persecution.  But they remained English at heart, and the journey to the New World was a chance to retain and pass on to their children English customs while maintaining their Puritan church.
     Thanks in part to the help of the friendly Wampanoag Indians, half of the Pilgrims survive the first winter.  The Indians teach the Pilgrims to grow maize and help ensure their long-term survival. 

Comment
     Like most Rinaldi novels, The Journal of Jasper Jonathan Pierce mixes fact with fiction as well as historical figures with fictional characters.  Miles Standish, Captain Christopher Jones, William Bradford and the Indian Squanto, all prominent characters in the book,  were key figures in the success of the fledgling colony. 
     Rinaldi includes a fairly extensive Historical Note at the end of the novel in which she expands on the actual history of the Plymouth Colony. 

Reading Level:  4.9
Interest Level:  4 - 8
154 pages

Supports the Following Instructional Objectives:

Describe the Physical Development of European Colonies in North America

Identify the Religious, Political, and Economic Motives of Voluntary Immigration to North America

Excerpt

     All are ashore now.  I have thought that before the Mayflower sails I would like to walk her decks once more.  This day again we were startled into action by the appearance of two Indians.  But muskets were quickly laid aside when they turned out to be Samoset and a friend named Tisquantum, who calls himself Squanto.  Samoset was greatly excited.  The great chief Massasoit and his brother Quadequina were coming to see us!
     We waited, and within the hour appeared on Strawberry Hill a force of Indians as would send us racing back to the Mayflower if we did not have leaders of great courage.
     Quadequina was painted with bold colors on his face and arms.  With him he had some sixty men, also making a most fierce appearance.  Captain Standish murmured that if they were intent on trouble, their force was three times ours.

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