Paradise

by Joan Elizabeth Goodman

Overview

In 1542, when sixteen-year-old Marguerite is selected by her uncle, the Sieur de Roberval, as one of the young women to accompany him on his voyage to the New World, she seizes the chance to escape the oppressive household of her father. Marguerite persuades her forbidden young lover, Pierre, to join the voyage so they can be wed when they reach Canada. But when Marguerite and Pierre are caught together on the ship, they are banished to the tiny, wild Isle of Demons, off the coast of Quebec—and their voyage to freedom becomes a fight for their very survival. Inspired by the true story of Marguerite de La Rocque, Paradise is a gripping novel of adventure, courage, love, and hardship.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780618494811
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	04/17/2006
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	5.25(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.56(d)
Age Range:	12 Years

About the Author

Joan Elizabeth Goodman has written several novels of highly acclaimed historical fiction. She lives with her husband and their two children in New York City.

Editorial Reviews

"This historical fiction will definitely have appeal to teenage readers." KLIATT —

From the Publisher

Gr 7 Up-Based on the true story of Marguerite de La Rocque and the early French exploration of Canada, Paradise is a riveting tale of survival and friendship. Marguerite's uncle chooses his 16-year-old niece as one of the young women to accompany him to start a new settlement in a land of what he believes to hold great wealth and opportunity. Her maid, Damienne is to travel with her, as is appropriate for a girl of her class. She also persuades Pierre, the young man she loves, to book passage on the ship as a deckhand so that they may marry when they reach Canada as their differences in religion make it impossible to do so in France. When she is caught kissing Pierre after their arrival, she and Damienne are left in exile on the Isle of Demons and Pierre is sentenced to death. He manages to escape and swims to the island. There, the couple "marry" and the three set about building shelter and preparing for the coming winter. Life is hard and the pampered Marguerite finds she must cope with basic survival, Indians, illness, death, and pregnancy. Goodman's superb characterization echoes realistically in the dialogue and actions of Marguerite and Pierre, whose impetuous acts and sincere love lead them to punishment, and of Damienne, who serves as a voice of reason and hopefulness. The intensity and honesty of the survival story make this book a real page-turner as readers join in Marguerite's struggle for survival and rescue as she fights her own demons on Demon Island.-Janet Hilbun, formerly at Sam Houston Middle School, Garland, TX Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

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