“Alone, yet not all alone am I, ‘though in this solitude so drear.  I feel my Savior always nigh…”  So begins the hymn that is the thread tying this story together.

In 1755, Barbara and Regina Leininger, then just twelve and nine years old, respectively, were captured by Allegheny warriors and separated, after seeing their family members murdered and their cabin burned.  I’m calling this historical fiction, because I assume artistic liberties were taken in bringing us fleshed-out descriptions of their lives.  However, the story is true.

We received a review copy of Alone Yet Not Alone, and the girls and I have been reading it aloud over the past few weeks.  The reading level is not difficult; it’s probably suitable for fairly early chapter-book readers.  The story is compelling – and potentially life-changing.  My children also appreciated that this region is not terribly far from us, so they had a bit of an idea of the sort of land Barbara, Regina, and the others were traveling.

As I read, I ask myself whether my children, as “tweens,” are sufficiently grounded in their faith to hold onto it through such trials and tribulations and through years-long separations from their family and anyone else who believes in the God we serve.  And I believe my children asked themselves the same question.  (Whether they are that grounded, not whether their children are!)

Would I have the kind of courage and determination that Barbara had, even as a young woman?  There are so many wonderful lessons here!

• that we are never truly alone, because God is always with us,
• that Scripture committed to memory is a treasure (and, in some circumstances, may be all we have),
• that God has a plan for our good, even when circumstances seem truly awful  (I can’t even imagine the things most of them went through!),
• the importance of teaching our children very thoroughly from a very young age to truly put their trust in the Lord,
• and even, toward the end, that it is better to suffer some pain than to marry an unbeliever.  (This section of the story is not long, but there is valuable example here for young ladies, in particular, about wise decisions where marriage is concerned.)

I cannot recommend this book enough, so I am excited to be able to share with you that the movie is coming out in a month.  Check out the trailer:

In exactly one month, this opens in select theaters (should be nationwide in February).  In the meantime, I know you’d love to have your own copy of the book to read.  So use the Rafflecopter form and enter to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

[UPDATE 8/28: My husband just forwarded me the most recent issue of HSLDA’s e-newsletter, which contained a link to these Homeschool Heartbeat podcast interviews with author Tracy Leininger Craven. (They’re brief, so you won’t be tied to the computer for an hour if you want to listen.)]

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the product mentioned above free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”