Alone Yet Not Alone is a young-adult historical fiction novel based on the true story of two sisters who were kidnapped by Native Americans during the French and Indian War in 1755 in Pennsylvania. It chronicles their journey of being torn from their cabin, witnessing their brother and father murdered, and being forced on a 100 mile journey west into the forest away from their parents.
Eventually, twelve year old Barbara is separated from her nine year old sister, Regina, but Barbara tells her to never lose the song in her heart and never to forget that God is with her. Before his death, their father told the girls “God knew the lessons I needed to learn before my faith was ready for this promised land.”
Barbara assimilates easily enough into her new way of life, but always she longs to be with her family and those who know the One, True God. She endures three and a half years of captivity until the moment arrives for her escape. The Native American men of her tribe leave to help the French, leaving only two braves behind. She and three other captives run and make the long eastward journey to the nearest fort, Fort Duquesne (later renamed Fort Pitt by the English). She tracks down her mother and brother and is re-united with them. She struggles to fit back into her old life but in the end she finds love.
Regina is finally re-united with the family after nearly five years in captivity as the captives are released following the end of the French and Indian War. She remembers little English but she always remembers the hymns she sang as a child and the bible verses she memorized.
Both sisters credit their faith in God as helping them to survive and endure. Barbara eventually has four children. Regina never married but was a pillar of God’s light in the community.
Great, short read full of examples of young girls clinging to their faith in God’s goodness to survive horrible traumas. Written by Tracy Leininger Craven, a descendent of the girls, this book is sure to leave you with a smile on your face and a prayer on your lips.