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This book is the story of Cynthia Ann Parker, who at age nine, is kidnapped by Comanche Indians from her home in Texas. The book begins twenty-five years later when Cynthia Ann is recaptured by Texan rangers and returned to her Texan family. Finally, after twenty-five years of living with these people, she is once again kidnapped by park rangers and returned to the Parker family. She no longer remembers English or her original Texan customs. She cannot forget her beloved husband Peta Nocona, who was a courageous Comanche warrior, or her two sons Quanah and Pecos. To her advantage she is with her baby daughter, Topsannah when she is taken back to the Parkers, so she continues to teach her the Comanche ways. Topsannah's name is soon changed to Prairie Flower, its English version, and later to Tecks Ann so that she will better fit into the society. They both try to cooperate and learn these odd "white" ways. Tecks Ann has a much easier time getting accustomed to these customs, but Cynthia Ann must continue to learn how to cook, read, write, and sew by her twelve-year-old niece Lucy. As time goes on Lucy makes Cynthia Ann a promise that she is not sure she can keep in a time of hardships for everyone. She must leave the Parker's house and live with her brother to get away from her pregnant sister-in-law. This book is one of the saddest book I ever read, but it is easy to enjoy anyway.

I bought two books about Cynthia Ann Parker, one the historical record and this historical fiction for my daughter, 14. As an adolescent dealing with cross cultural adoption issues, she identified with Cynthy Ann's dilemma and was able to talk about it with her mother. I was familiar with the story but was interested in the details. I read "The Searchers" as a boy but I have always been more interested in the point of view of the original land lords. Another book that deals with native american cross cultural adoption issues is "Pigs in Heaven" by that woman who is so famous for "The Poisonwood Bible" now.

The story itself is wonderful, well written, easy to understand (even for a person who's mother tongue is not English), impressing and sad. It even made me more angry about what the Parkers did to Naudah (C.A.P's REAL Comanche name!). It would have been one of the best fictious stories I read for a long time, it would have become one of my favorite books, if Ms. Mayer would not have written the last chapter (No. 32, her own notes)!!! In it she wrote so much nonsense, that it almost destroyed the good feelings I had while reading the story. What a pity! So my advice for all future readers: Before reading the book, pull out the last chapter and throw it away without looking at it!

The strange, though touching story of Cynthia Ann Parker's life growing up with the Comanche Indians, then going back to her real family, and struggling to live there, while befriending her cousin, Lucy. For Young Adults

This book is great! It is very dramatic, recommended for young adults, ages 11-and up. It's sad, but well written. Read it!