My Brother Sam Is Dead by James Lincoln Collier
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Book Reviews of My Brother Sam Is Dead
Book Review: A Worthy Tale of America's Struggle for Independence
Summary: 5 Stars
The Collier brothers deliver a fine novel in "My Brother Sam Is Dead." Like Esther Forbes' classic "Johnny Tremain," the foreground characters (the Meeker family, etc.) are fictional while the backdrop is an accurate portrayal of the American Revolution, making the book "historical fiction." Also like "Johnny Tremain," "Sam" does not present the War of Independence as black and white, but with pros and cons on both sides. Both the Yanks and the Brits had their heroes and villains. And even the heroes and villains were not all good or all bad. For example, "Sam" gives some space to arch-traitor Benedict Arnold, the epitome of hero and villain, and Sam himself is an admirable yet flawed protagonist.
"Sam" presents a realistic glimpse into America's early days, with all its glory and tragedy, unity and schism (the American Revolution was also a civil war with deep divisions among Colonialists), nobility and racial prejudice. For every caring person, there seemed to be one callous person who cheapened the value of human life. This book is not for the squeamish and if it were given a movie rating, I imagine it would be "PG-13." There are one or two anachronisms in "Sam," like the wisecrack "in one ear and out the other," but they are minor and should not jeopardize a high rating.
If "My Brother Sam Is Dead" is a worthy successor to "Johnny Tremain" (winner of the Newbery Medal in 1944), then it has done well as a Newbery Honor Book. "Sam" is a winner, in my opinion, especially for teens. A good read, it left me with a sobering judgment about war and its destructive consequences. Tim Meeker, the fictional narrator who grew to love the emerging American nation, concludes by wondering if there might have been another way to achieve the same end without war. Rev. Dennis J. Mercieri
Book Review: My Brother Sam is Dead
Summary: 5 Stars
I gave My Brother Sam is Dead a 5 star rating because throughout the novel you find out how times were then and what life was like. The book really connects you with life in the 1700's. The book is about a family that is torn apart by the war. A lot of events happen right in the town of Redding that they live in and it helps you understand what this time was like. My Brother Sam is Dead and the Giver are quite alike in a strange sort of way. In the Giver there is no love in the families because they are put together, but in My Brother Sam is Dead there is no real love between the Mom, son, and Dad, yet it is a real family. Also in both books someone or some group is searching for independence. The main difference between the two books is that one takes place in a futuristic world and the other during the Revolutionary War. A person might read this book if they would like to know about things that happened during the Revolutionary War or understand what families went through in these times. Another reason to read this book would be if you are learning about the Revolution in school, because it helps you get a better grip on what you are learning about. There are a couple conflicts in the story that affect the main plot from a family member's decision to enlist in the army to a family member getting kidnapped. When the kidnapping occurred the mother and the son had to pick up extra responsibilities, causing them to have to work on Sunday's. Setting in this story enables the story to take place. The story is about a family in the middle of the Revolution and without that time period the story would be lost, eliminating the author's purpose.Book Review: My Brother Sam is Dead
Summary: 5 Stars
"My Brother Sam is dead"
The book I read is called" My Brother Sam is Dead". I liked this book a lot. It is not the usual kinds of book s I read or my class reads. But I somewhat enjoyed this book because at first the book started out slow and boring. But when I kept on reading, a lot of unexpected things occurred in this story.
All through out Tim's life, Tim looked up to his brother Sam. Sam is very smart and unique in his own ways and knows from right and from wrong. Tim was not the only one that admired Sam, but Redding, Redding was the place or town he lived in, until now. Now Sam is part of the American Revolutionary army, also he talks about defeating the British army and that when they do that he and his people will be free at last when they defeat the British. People in Redding were a little frustrated with Sam because they didn't want to be part of this new America, because most of them were loyal supporters of the English King, Especially Tim and Tim's father. The war is coming and soon and Sam knows that he`s going to have to make a choice soon if it means to fight his brother on one side or his brother on another one. This book is also gory and violent, for example when the British soldiers came into Neds house, an African American, and had chopped his head of with a sword, Sam had witnessed his murder and saw the head fly onto the air and when the head flew of and fell to the ground it made a big thump....thump.
I recommend this book to people that like violent, gory books, and that have patience.
Book Review: My Brother Sam is Dead?
Summary: 5 Stars
My Brother Sam Is Dead.... No not actually but hey isn't that an interesting title? I believe that in fact this is one heck of a title, this title has the reader on its toes through out the book waiting for someone's brother, Sam, to die. That though is not the only reason though for why I rated My Brother Sam Is Dead a 5. One other reason is because this book answers many question on the American Revolution, making this book one for all you American History fans.
When Sam Meeker returns home from college in the spring of 1775 and announces that he has decided to join the Rebel army, his parents are appalled, but his younger brother, Tim, is wide-eyed with admiration. When the brothers are outside together doing chores around their family's tavern, Sam talks to Tim about his plan to steal their father's gun in order to fight. Tim protests, but he can do anything to stop Sam. That night, Mr. Meeker and Sam have an argument about the war and Sam runs away from home. The next morning after church, Tim visits Sam in a hut where he is hiding out. He tries to talk Sam out of going to war but does not succeed. In the hut, Sam's girlfriend Betsy Read asks Tim which side he supports, and Tim has trouble deciding between his Father's loyalty to the British government and his brother's rebellion to the King. He does not answer. After spending quite a bit of time hiding in a hut Sam decides to go fight for the patriots. Sam doesn't realize the mistake that he has made.
This book is one not to miss!
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Book Review: How War Can Change You
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the story of sixteen-year-old Sam Meeker who knew he was right in joining the fight against the British in the Revolutionary War--in spite of his family and most of his town being against it.
It is the story, too, of war and what it does to individuals and families: its bravery, cruelness, fearfulness and hate.
Sam learns of all these things. Even accepts them, including the idea of his own dying for a cause he strongly believes in. But he doesn't die that way, honorably. His death will not only surprise but shock you. Like the saying goes, "War is unjust."
You'll find this story suspenseful and deeply stirring. It's very sad.
(historical fiction: Revolutionary War; grades JH-plus)
The Creative Teacher: Activities for Language Arts (Grades 4 through 8 and Up)