Mary of the Mayflower

Mary of the Mayflower just became my favorite book; it is a real page turner. Diane Stevenson is the author and she made a master piece out of this story. The book is about the journey of a young lady named Mary who is a passenger onboard the Mayflower. It is considered a historic-fiction book, and it is evident that the research was taken seriously. The story just comes to life from the first page and one cannot help but to be transported to the 1600’s. I was able to identify with Mary, despite being a grown-up man. Mary’s fears and hopes are universal and we all can see a little bit of ourselves reflected in her story. Mary’s courage is admirable and now I have a deeper appreciation for our founding mothers and fathers. This should be a “must read” in school and perhaps we all can learn how to be more grateful for what we have.The story is only 158 pages long and the author added some extra goodies at the end that I enjoyed just as much as I did enjoy the story. The epilogue, “what became of them?”, interesting facts, Mary’s will, just to mention a few. You can also find a couple of photos that really bring to life the story - things that I thought were fiction, turned out to be real. But, you won’t find out until the end of the story. Which, I think it a pleasant surprise. This is a great book to read for Thanksgiving and I will recommend this book to anyone who asks. Mary’s story has awaken my curiosity to learn more about the subject and I am hoping to travel to Plymouth next spring to experience firsthand what I’ve learned here.

It's a good story, but there are quite a few editing errors. As someone who notices that, it's irritating as I'm reading. I also don't want my kids confused on spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Thankfully I'm reading it aloud. Also, some of the chapters are way too long and could have been broken up. Others are much too short and should have kept going.Overall, it's an interesting look at life on the Mayflower from the viewpoint of a young girl. I would definitely recommend it, but just with those warnings. The kids do like it, in general. My kids range from nearly 15 down to 3. The 3yo comes and goes, but the rest seem to enjoy it.

I am a Canadian so we did not learn much about the Pilgrims in school. This book was a real eye opener into the story of a pilgrim family's courage, faith and sacrifice to come to America. I thought the book was a delightful well written, descriptive, historical novel for both youth and adult. My attention was held throughout and read the story quickly. I came to love Mary's story. I had no idea of the hardships the pilgrims endured on the Mayflower, how dangerous and how many lost their lives in their quest for freedom. The story became more real knowing that Mary Chilton was a real woman in history and was an ancestor of the author. I loved the dramatic moment when she set foot on Plymouth rock, their new home. I''m glad to have been enlightened on this part of American history. I ordered the book for my 13 year old granddaughter who also has enjoyed the book.The drawings, map, last will and testament, inventory of goods of Mary Chilton Winslow, passengers on the Mayflower,,What Became of them, Glossary, Interesting facts etc. in the back were very helpful, I consulted them often. The cover page was a memorable visual. -Wendy Low, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Mary of the Mayflower is a book that hits to my longtime love of images and stories in history and especially my love of stories that inspire. It is book that would have fascinated me when I was young and a book I now hope my children will read and a book I hope my grandchildren will read to their children. This is a story of an epic moment in history lovingly told and accurately depicted by the author Diane Stevenson Stone through the eyes of a young girl who does a lot more than just “go along for the ride”. Mary of the Mayflower has given me increased insights into the daily life challenges these Puritans encountered as well as the crisis moments that threatened their very existence. This is a great read, a book that serves as an enjoyable first-time-through-it-experience as well as a read-it-again-double-check to see what more can be learned about these brave people of faith who contributed so much to the setting of our national vision. Most of all, the message I would wish for my posterity to gain from this book is how we have, at any age and circumstances, a need to keep faith in God and endure what comes our way in life with a hope for a rewarding arrival at a worthy destination. 

Warren Luch. Carmel, CA.

I found this book delightful from four perspectives. As a lover of historical fiction I am impressed with the weaving of the limited details that are known of a young Mayflower passenger who led the life of a Pilgrim in Holland and America into a compelling narrative that will engage readers from early high school to adult. As a former teacher I welcome the inclusion of vocabulary study resources that clarify language needed to describe a time long past for today's readers. As a Mayflower descendant I appreciate the emergence of a second and contrasting exploration of the Mayflower experience as seen through the eyes of Mary Chilton, one of the children whose parents died in the first winter in Plymouth. And as Chair of the 2014 General Society of Mayflower Descendants Scholarship Committee, I am thrilled to find another resource sure to interest young people in the Mayflower story. Thank you, Diane Stone, for bringing your Mayflower ancestor to life for all of us.

An excellent book of historical fiction that integrates the known facts about Mary Chilton with life in Leiden in the early 1600’s and her subsequent voyage on the Mayflower at age 13. A truly inspiring story.

It took a bit of time to get into the story, and I found the footnotes explaining the words a little annoying but realised it was also written for children to read so didn't worry after that. Quite an insight into the sea journey to the New World. Enjoyable and easy to read.