Anne Hutchinson's Way

Jeannine Atkins names Anne Hutchinson only once - in the first line of the book. After that, she is "Mother," as viewed through the eyes of Anne's youngest daughter Susannah. True to her designation, Anne is shown as a protector and comforter, sheltering Susannah from rough seas on the journey from England and shielding the other settlers from the rough voices and punitive notions of the community's leaders. Anne is Mother in its most beneficent sense, not only to her own eleven children and midwife to the children of others, but to the entire community, rallying and guiding spirits by offering her own voice, a voice unafraid, one of warmth, strength, and wisdom. Jeannine Atkins' portrait - subtle and rich - matches the quiet strength of her subject. Her sentences are a marvel, gracefully combining emotion and information. The illustrations are quite something, as well - the entire work skillful and inviting on all counts.