Step back into a time little known or understood today to experience the physical and emotional struggles, witness the events, and learn of the people, through the eyes of those who lived them. Often, we have learned that Europeans came to the New World only to make their fortunes at the expense of others, and yet people came for many other reasons too. The reasons were not all the same and the people were not either. Discover the desperations and courage of those who risked everything to come to these shores and create for themselves this Country of Castoffs.Based on true events, this story traces one boy's journey from France to America in 1660 as he finds the courage to save himself and those he loves.Etienne Gayneau doesn't understand why the Catholics and Protestants in France can't get along, only that it means he's not allowed to see his cousin and best friend, Nicolas, and why he'll never be a musketeer. But when a bounty is placed on his father's head for being a heretic, he must choose to flee with his family, or to run away and hide out with his Catholic cousin.Etienne must give up everything he has ever known as he faces many dangers along his journey. Along the way, Etienne will befriend a beautiful Dutch girl with a dangerous father, confront his guilt over the death of his brother, and face off against injury, illness, and death. Will Etienne choose to fulfill his family's expectations, or will he plot the course for his own destiny?

Thrown to the Wind (A Country for Castoffs)

Teen & Young Adult

Cetas, Amanda M

Historical Fiction

Windy Sea Publishing

Based on true events. Etienne's story continues in America in 1663 as he must chart his course through a dangerous New World. A double wedding is interrupted with news of a Native American attack on the Dutch settlement of Wiltwyck. Women and children were taken hostage and a nearby village was burned to the ground. The whole colony is now preparing for war and his Native American friends have not returned. Were they involved? Etienne will have to choose sides. Will he protect his new friends or defend his community? Both choices demand great sacrifice and risk the lives of those he loves. His life will never be the same again. Etienne Gayneau settled New Harlem in 1663 with his family to build a new life in an untamed world. This is the story of one boy's struggle to survive and protect those he loves. Etienne Gayneau doesn't understand why the native peoples and colonists can't get along in this land of abundant resources and opportunity. As war erupts between his Old World religious community and his New World friends, Etienne must find a way to end the violence, while protecting those he loves on both sides of the dispute. Etienne must learn to survive in this dangerous, exotic new world. He will learn new skills from his Native American friends and establish new friendships a with old enemies. But just as everything seems to be going so well, conflict threatens to destroy it all! Will Etienne find a way to save his friends and fulfill his own destiny?

A Home in the Wilderness (A Country for Castoffs)

Literature & Fiction

United States

Based on a true story. In October 1660, Etienne Gayneau rushes through the cobblestone streets of La Rochelle, France, to meet his cousin at the harbor. A ship carrying King Louis XIV's elite musketeers is docking. He dreams of becoming one himself, but has no idea that their arrival will force his Huguenot family to flee in the dead of night. His cousin has offered him a safe haven. Now he must choose - stay and pursue his dream or leave and face an uncertain destiny. Both choices are fraught with dangers. Either way his life will never be the same.

Thrown to the Wind

Children's Books

A Home in the Wilderness

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Books by Cetas, Amanda M