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lindseyembry33's review against another edition
2.0
I was never a really big historical fiction person but this series was pretty good.
zenithharpink's review against another edition
3.0
This book is a fun glimpse into Revolutionary War America, and I truly emphasize the word glimpse. This book is very short, and is cut off before things really get interesting with the war effort.
I recommend this to children looking for a clean look into America's birth, I just wouldn't expect to glean too much information. The notes at the end proved to be the most interesting. But I'm faithful to this series that I read as a child, and I'll continue to re-read these books.
I recommend this to children looking for a clean look into America's birth, I just wouldn't expect to glean too much information. The notes at the end proved to be the most interesting. But I'm faithful to this series that I read as a child, and I'll continue to re-read these books.
crystalmbookshelf83's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
johndallasd's review against another edition
2.0
My son picked this book die to his love of Hamilton. Needless to say, it was a lot less entertaining. On the plus side, it’s well researched and includes some great details about what life was like in Boston during the Revolutionary War. However, because the book is written in “diary” style it jumps all over the place. In one chapter, the main character spies on the British for the patriots, but in the next he’s trimming candlesticks. Big events like the Boston Tea Party or Bunker Hill are mentioned in passing, and there’s no real payoff at the end. I might recommend it for 8th graders as a way to prepare them to read actual historic accounts, but it’s a rather dull read for younger folks.
A last note: the book is pretty traditional in how it portrays women and PoCs. That is, women bravely keep the home fires burning while the men rush off to spy and fight and the one Black character has maybe two pages dedicated to him. It wasn’t a deal breaker for me but I get that it could be for others looking for a more modern tale.
A last note: the book is pretty traditional in how it portrays women and PoCs. That is, women bravely keep the home fires burning while the men rush off to spy and fight and the one Black character has maybe two pages dedicated to him. It wasn’t a deal breaker for me but I get that it could be for others looking for a more modern tale.
evamadera1's review
4.0
Nothing about this book was familiar although I apparently read it seven years ago. I'm not quite sure what this says about the book. It was short, sweet and followed the journal format unlike many others in the Dear America series. Since I don't remember reading it before, it makes sense that my review this time around would label it as un-remarkable.
tsilverman's review against another edition
2.0
This one was pretty dark. Yeah, war isn't a light subject, but Will slicing open the British soldier's face and leaving him to die was something I'd expect in an adult account.
Will also wasn't very likeable. There was no understanding of the other side, and having just read the Dear America diary of a girl who was part of a Loyalist/Tory family, it didn't bring my opinion of him any higher. Patriot he may be but did he have to delight at the tarring and feathering of a man, and the burning down of his home? There was also a point in which he threw a rotton egg at a prisoner's face. I really didn't like him.
Also, this started with Will losing his whole family to...a lightning strike? That was bizarre.
Oh, and having Will marry Becca, who not only had the same name as his dead sister, but who he also helped raised since she was under two years old was really creepy.
Will also wasn't very likeable. There was no understanding of the other side, and having just read the Dear America diary of a girl who was part of a Loyalist/Tory family, it didn't bring my opinion of him any higher. Patriot he may be but did he have to delight at the tarring and feathering of a man, and the burning down of his home? There was also a point in which he threw a rotton egg at a prisoner's face. I really didn't like him.
Also, this started with Will losing his whole family to...a lightning strike? That was bizarre.
Oh, and having Will marry Becca, who not only had the same name as his dead sister, but who he also helped raised since she was under two years old was really creepy.
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