Redemption by Julie Chibbaro is a young adult book about the history of the “New World,” following twelve-year-old Lily and her mother in the aftermath of the disappearance of Lily's father. It is the mid-1500s, and a powerful baron has taken Lily's father away, forcing him to become a laborer in a colony in America. Lily and her mother haven't seen or heard from him in more than eight months. Eventually, a struggle over land leads Lily across the Atlantic, where she hopes to find her father alive – if she can make it there alive herself. Along the way, Lily meets an Indian tribe, befriends a boy named Ethan, and is forced to come to terms with the travails of life and the often monstrous behavior of powerful men.
As the book opens, it is eight months since the disappearance of Lily's father. The baron, a powerful and power-hungry man, sent his men to kidnap Lily's father, forcing him to board a boat to America where they wanted him to work as a laborer in a new English colony. Now that her father is gone, Lily and her mother are having trouble with the baron again – the baron claims that Lily and her mother have no right to live on their land without a male property owner. At the same time, Lily's mother is experiencing religious persecution. She and Lily follow a kind man Frere Lanther, who broke away from the Church of England because of corruption within the church. As follows of Lanther, however, the women face persecution at the hands of the baron and their neighbors.
Finally, at their wit’s end, Lily and her mother decide to board a ship for the New World, seeking religious freedom and hoping to find Lily's father alive and well in North America. Lily is hopeful about the journey because she believes she will find her father alive; Frere Lanther encourages Lily's mother to journey with her daughter, to find freedom in her faith.
Unfortunately, the ship the women board is nothing like they had imagined. Painful secrets are revealed to Lily onboard the nightmarish ship, which changes her conception of what the world is like, and completely alters her understanding of herself. Her only savior on the boat as it slowly crosses the Atlantic is a boy named Ethan, who happens to be the baron's son. They make friends on the voyage, despite their many differences. They are thrown together once more when the ship crashes against the rocks when it reaches the New World, and the boat splinters, leaving Ethan and Lily alone on a new, mostly uninhabited continent.
After the shipwreck, Lily and Ethan swim to shore; they survive but are separated from the others in their group. Deciding to try to eke out a life together, they trek through the wilderness, hoping to find a friendly camp or settlement to take them in. However, before they can find their own countrymen, Lily and Ethan are captured by a group of Native Americans, who don't speak their language. Lily finds that her only hope for survival is to reach deep inside herself to find her strength – she becomes one with the American wilderness, bonds with Ethan, finds love, and opens her mind to a whole new world of possibilities.
Taken from narratives from a little told era of American history, before the famous Jamestown settlement, Julie Chibbaro reveals the tumult of life in England during the Reformation, some of the push and pull factors that brought settlers to the New World, and explores America through the unique perspective of a young girl.
Julie Chibbaro is the author of three award-winning novels for young adults: Into the Dangerous World, Deadly, and Redemption. She is particularly interested in historical fiction as told through the perspectives of young women – her most well-known book, Deadly, follows a budding female scientist as she works with the Department of Health to track down Typhoid Mary in 1906. She has won a number of awards for her work, including a National Jewish Book Award, a Top Ten ALA Amelia Bloomer list nomination, an Outstanding Science Trade Book Award by the National Science Teacher's Association, and an American Book Award for Redemption in 2005. She lives in New York City.
As an avid enthusiast and expert in literature, particularly historical fiction and young adult novels, I'm well-versed in Julie Chibbaro's work, including her notable book "Redemption." Chibbaro intricately weaves historical contexts, vivid characterizations, and thematic depth into her narratives, making her a prominent figure in the realm of young adult historical fiction.
"Redemption" by Julie Chibbaro delves into the gripping tale of twelve-year-old Lily and her mother in the mid-1500s amid the aftermath of Lily's father's disappearance. The story unfolds against the backdrop of England during the Reformation, shedding light on the complexities of that era and the motivations that drove settlers to the New World. Key concepts and themes prevalent in this novel include:
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Historical Context: Chibbaro brings to life the tumultuous period of the Reformation in England, depicting societal upheavals, religious persecution, and the push factors that drove individuals to seek new opportunities and religious freedom in the New World.
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Family Dynamics and Struggles: The story revolves around Lily's quest to find her missing father, highlighting the emotional turmoil, resilience, and challenges faced by a young girl and her mother in a patriarchal society.
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Power Dynamics and Corruption: The narrative delves into the power-hungry nature of influential figures like the baron, illustrating their control over land, exploitation of labor, and persecution of individuals, especially women and those with differing religious beliefs.
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Journey and Survival: The journey across the Atlantic and the subsequent shipwreck thrust Lily and Ethan, the baron's son, into a situation where they must navigate the wilderness, survive, and adapt to a new, uninhabited continent, showcasing themes of resilience, survival instincts, and unexpected alliances.
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Cultural Encounter: Lily's encounter with a Native American tribe brings forth themes of cultural differences, communication barriers, and the need for adaptation and understanding in a new environment.
Julie Chibbaro's expertise lies not only in crafting compelling narratives but also in portraying the inner strength and growth of young female protagonists amidst challenging historical circ*mstances. Her penchant for detailing lesser-explored periods of history, combined with her accolades and recognition for her work, including the American Book Award for "Redemption" in 2005, solidifies her position as a prominent author in the realm of young adult historical fiction.
Chibbaro's dedication to shedding light on historical events through the eyes of young women resonates strongly in her body of work, showcasing her commitment to exploring nuanced perspectives and shedding light on often-overlooked aspects of history.
