The Courage of Sarah Noble by Alice Dalgliesh is the story of a young girl who travels with her father into Connecticut during the early 18th century, and her experiences with the native Schaghticoke. It was published in 1954 and received a Newbery Honor Award.SLSC Newbery Medal and Honor Books
The story Sarah accompanies her father in his journey to set up their farm in a newly purchased plot in New Milford. Once they arrive, Sarah and her father begin scouting the land he has bought. They are approached by the people who lived there, the Schaghticoke.History of the Schaghticoke Sarah is frightened because of rumors she has heard from children about the "Indians" they would encounter,Dalgliesh, Alice, and Leonard Weisgard. 1954. The Courage of Sarah Noble. New York: Scribner. pp 10-11. but finds that the Schaghticoke are friendly to her and her father. Sarah and her father befriend one of the local Indian families, who take care of her when her father is forced to return alone to their old home to retrieve the rest of their family.Dalgliesh, Alice, and Leonard Weisgard. 1954. The Courage of Sarah Noble. New York: Scribner. pp 52-53.
History Alice Dalgliesh begins the book with an author's note. In the note, she states that this story is true and she makes reference to records of the events.Dalgliesh, Alice, and Leonard Weisgard. 1954. The Courage of Sarah Noble. New York: Scribner. Author's Note The New Milford Historical Society holds the majority of the resources for this research.
Reception The New York Times Book Review said of The Courage of Sarah Noble "This story is one to be long remembered for its beautiful simplicity and dignity." The American lists it among their best books for 1954 for juveniles to read.Sheehan, E. (1954, May 29). Some juvenile bests for spring '54. America, 91(9), 248-251. Reviewer Anita Silvey appreciates Sarah's character when she calls her "a protagonist strong enough to accompany her father into the wilderness to build a new cabin for their family and to remain there alone when Father goes back for the rest of the family."Silvey, Anita (editor), The Essential Guide to Children's Books and Their Creators, Houghton Mifflin, 2002, pg. 90;
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