My Brother Sam Is Dead by James Lincoln Collier
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Book Reviews of My Brother Sam Is Dead
Book Review: An anti-war novel about, of all wars, the American Revolution
Summary: 4 Stars
Maybe I don't read enough Revolutionary War fiction to have the best idea of its focus, but it seems to me that a good deal of it celebrates and romanticizes the war. And why not? It was freedom from oppression. It was the birth of nation. We know about Valley Forge and all of that suffering, but I think that too many people forget that the Revolutionary War was just that: a war. This story focuses on Tim, a young boy forced to grow up on the homefront. His elder brother Sam is an idealistic freedom fighter and his father is a loyal Tory--or maybe just someone who is anti-war. Tim is caught between them as the war rages on with all its ugliness.In the end, it's hard to tell whether this book is for or against the revolutionists who formed America. But that's not the point. The point is that it is the innocent who always suffer, no matter what the war's objective.Book Review: My Brother Sam Is Dead
Summary: 4 Stars
I enjoyed this book alot. It was easy to get into the story and the characters were very defined. I learned quite a bit about the revolution and i liked the story line. The only problem was that the title completely gave it away....that almost left no suspense on Sam's part. I knew he was going to die. Other than that,I very much liked this book.Book Review: Cool/sad
Summary: 4 Stars
This book my brother sam is Dead is a very cool and historic
i like how it was placed in such a cool time in history. Yet i thought it was sad because nothin really good happend. But i recomend this book to ages 10+
Book Review: Easy read, well written, intriguing
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a great read for teens. I recommend for those who have not yet fallen in love with reading. Would have given 5 stars, but author fails to deal with some essential issues of that time.Book Review: Emotionally gritty, parental guidance may be needed
Summary: 3 Stars
My Brother Sam is Dead is a heart-breaking story of how politics and war can destroy a family. Tim and Sam are from a New England town which strongly supports the British government during the Revolutionary war. When the older boy, Sam, runs away and joins the revolutionaries, the impressionable Tim is left behind to help his parents eke out a living in the war-starved economy. Tim doesn't understand what all the fighting is about, and why his father is so angry at Sam. Tim questions his own loyalties and finally learns what real responsibility is. This book is aimed at 8-12 year old boys. The adventure is exciting enough that kids will enjoy the book on their own (if they like historical adventure). However, the book would be more educational with adult guidance (many kids might not know enough about the revolutionary war to understand the emotional tension of the plot). A warning though: the language is a bit strong for the target audience.