Book Description

Two young women learning to survive in their own worlds are forced to confront even greater challenges when those worlds collide. Elisabeth, a passenger on the Mayflower, and Attitash, a young Wampanoag, discover differences in their core beliefs—but also a common humanity. As they learn to trust each other, their covert friendship forestalls starvation but can’t overcome the distrust that’s widespread in both cultures. In time accusations of witchcraft and betrayal threaten their friendship and the survival of both societies. Strangers in Our Midst reimagines a critical moment in our continent’s history, remaining faithful to the historical record while avoiding both stereotypes and finger-pointing. It describes a time when love, trust, and understanding struggled to overcome cruelty, hardship, and deception in all societies—and it does so with great imagination.

About the Author

A graduate of Macalester College, Kathleen Vellenga taught young children and was an active volunteer as well as a mother of three until she was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1981. In 1991, she received an award from the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council and three other state ethnic councils for her legislative efforts to support the needs of our children and their families. Kathleen left the Legislature in 1994 to become the executive director of the Saint Paul Children’s Initiative, a new early childhood collaborative. Her volunteer activities include working with young mothers in a community based maternal/infant clinic. While considerable historical research is the basis for the plot, Vellenga drew deeply upon her personal relationships for the emotional heart of the story.

Events

UPCOMING EVENTS

Saturday, February 15, New York City Book Party and Afternoon Tea

Tuesday, March 4, Private Book Club Event

Monday, March 17, Private Book Club Event

Saturday, April 26th, Luncheon Speaker, Minnesota Mayflower Society