Katie Cranberry

Herman Franck, Esq.
Xlibris (2008)
ISBN 9781436313186
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (06/10)


Katie Cranberry is an Indian Princess. Her father, Massasoit, is the Great Chief of the Indian Plains.  Katie’s adventure begins at Plymouth on Thanksgiving in the year 1621.  Even though she is only thirteen-years-old, she feels a great mistrust towards the intent of the Europeans with whom her family is sharing their meal.  When Katie reluctantly leaves the table to get more cranberries, at her mother’s request, she encounters a magical mystical being, Mother Swan, who tells her that her destiny is to unite the people of the world so that they may all live in peace.

Before the Thanksgiving Day is to end, Katie is to take four journeys around the world.  Magic will help her fit all of her journeys into this time frame.  On each journey, Katie will have adventures that will allow her to learn the lessons that she needs to fulfill her destiny.  These lessons will involve learning the art and science of diplomacy. She will also discover the cause of many wars and the true importance of friendship.

“Katie Cranberry” contains the first three books of her adventure.  Book I is “Katie’s Silk Road Adventure.” Mother Swan first takes her to Europe and then to Asia in this story.  Book II is “Katie’s Preview of South America.”  In this book, Katie takes some of new found friends with her to South America.  She also makes some new ones. Book III is called “American Stonehenge.” In this book, Katie and her friends meet some people who try to gain her trust and friendship, but actually have ulterior motives and nefarious plans for the people of the planet.

Katie makes many friends on her journeys.  What makes her adventure most interesting is that the friends that decide to stay with her on her travels are actually characters in the form of fruit.   There is Katrina Apple, Ivano Grape, Jorge Banan (a banana), Lenny Lemon, Lung Lung Coffee Bean, Valentino Orange, Sashi Mandarin, Wilhemina Sugarcane and the magical Razzmatazz Raspberry.  As Katie and her entourage get into scrapes, they each work together to use their own special skills and more than a touch of magic to overcome what they encounter.  Witnessing the brutality that many cultures, especially indigenous, faced at the hands of other races, Katie does what she can to create alternative histories that allow all people of all colors and creeds to mutually benefit from what each can offer the other and in turn live in peace.    

I really enjoyed going with Katie on her adventures.  Having her entourage consist of fruitful characters from around the world adds a great deal of colorful vividness to the story and helps to clearly demonstrate how different minds can work together to make the world a better place.

I think that people of all ages from preteens to adults will enjoy Katie’s unique adventure. I highly recommend that “Katie Cranberry” be used as a summer reading list selection.  Not only will teens enjoy the stories, but they will also learn something about world history and geography.  Hopefully, it will help spark their thirst to learn more.

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