It is the start of the 2014 War Through the Generations Reading Challenge With a Twist. For January and February, reviews for the Gulf Wars should be linked here.
To be clear, you don’t have to read just Gulf War books now, but any of the books that fit the war categories. We’ll just be posting the linkies for the reviews in the months we designated here.
Welcome to the Gulf Wars (Gulf War/Operation Desert Storm and Iraq War/Operation Iraqi Freedom) Reviews linky for Jan./Feb.:
Happy New Year, and thanks to everyone who participated in the American Revolution Reading Challenge in 2013. Here are the last of the participant reviews. If we’ve missed any reviews throughout the year, please feel free to link to them in the comments.
Before we shift to the reviews, we want to invite you all to participate in the 2014 challenge, which we’re doing a bit differently this year. For all the details and to sign up, click here.
Under The Boardwalk
reviewed The Turncoat by Donna Thorland:
A suspenseful thrill ride that takes place during the winter of 1777. A wonderful debut I couldn’t put down. I look forward to the next book in the Renegades of the Revolution series.
The Children’s War reviewed the movie Felicity, An American Girl:
There are lots of historical elements in Felicity besides being an engaging coming of age story. The two sides, patriot and loyalist, are explained clearly in the context of the story so that young viewers will have no trouble understanding the events that led to the American Revolution. And in keeping with the themes of freedom, independence, and responsibility, the practice of apprenticeship is also clearly presented.
The Children’s War also reviewed Friends of Liberty by Bernice Gormley:
As a historical novel, there is lots of information about the political unrest in Boston, though I think it presupposes some knowledge of the time period. I believe that Friends of Liberty would, however, be a good companion book to read while studying the events leading up the the American Revolution.
Scrappy Cat reviewed April Morning by Howard Fast:
When a horseman comes through to let the town know that the British are on the march, Adam signs the muster book and joins the battle. He must grow up literally overnight. The book is very well written and I rate it 4 out of 5.
Books and Movies reviewed Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes:
I remember reading this as a kid, and when I assigned it to Jonathan for literature this year, I knew I would read it, too. I wanted to revisit it, as well as show Jonathan that I didn’t just assign him books that I wouldn’t enjoy reading myself. Also, it fit into the War Through the Generations Challenge. Anyway, I enjoyed it, but didn’t love it as much as I remembered as a kid.
Scrappy Cat also reviewed The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing by M.T. Anderson:
I never knew before reading this book that slaves fought in the Revolutionary War in lieu of their masters; this was quite shocking to me. I thought the book was well written and I rate it 4 out of 5.
Diary of an Eccentric reviewed Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson:
Anderson’s novel is geared toward middle-grade readers, but there is much for adults to admire as well. The passages from relevant historical documents at the beginning of every chapter were informative and paved the way for further research. Anderson doesn’t sugar-coat the cruelties of slavery and war, but she doesn’t go overboard with graphic descriptions either.
Impressions In Ink “reviewed” The Declaration of Independence & The Constitution of the United States:
To review the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States seems redundant; instead, this post will be on how I feel about an amendment that is often in the news. … People who dislike reading would be attracted to this tiny book. I make this assessment because browsing the book store or shopping on Amazon, a reader would be inclined to find a lengthier book on the subject of important American documents.We may not “agree” with what people say, but thank goodness for the founding fathers, important American documents (which include our “freedom of speech.”)
Annie’s Book Reviews reviewed Masquerade: The Life & Times of Deborah Sampson, Continental Soldier by Alfred F. Young:
Honestly, I was dreading reading this book. Not because of the premise, it sounded like a great story, but because there is a general perception that such non-fiction historical works can be rather dryly written, uninspiring and quite boring to read. I was very much surprised to find the complete opposite. This is a fantastically enjoyable book, Youngs enthusiasm for his subject and the details of the period are infectious, entertaining and inspiring.
Jayne’s Books reviewed The Winter of Red Snow by Kristiana Gregory:
I like how the author put enough facts into the book to make the reader intrigued to further research, if they are interested in such a thing, but also put enough fiction so that the reader can actually enjoy the story. It also is fairly clean enough, with the exception of a few scenes in which there are some amputations, etc, but nothing too graphic, to parents not worry about the content of this particular series.
Bookworm’s Dinner reviewed Revolutionary Mothers: Women in the Struggle for American Independence by Carol Berkin:
Whether the women were involved in actually fighting, which they were or travelling along side their spouse, women of all races had numerous roles to satisfy. Chapters detail the various roles women played in Colonial Society and during and after the war. There were those who were left home, others who followed, some were General’s wives, or loyalists in exile, Indian Women, African American Women and many women became spies or couriers.
Bookworm’s Dinner also reviewed Forgotten Patriots: An Untold Story of American Prisoners During the Revolutionary War by Edwin G. Burrows:
This is a part of American History that missed the textbooks in school. It was a surprise to me. Perhaps if you live in the area of New York and New Jersey, you are aware of this unspeakable part of history. Truly, it really has been forgotten. It took over one hundred years to dedicate a monument to these patriots.
Thanks to all the readers who made this challenge a success!
Canadian Bookworm recently read and reviewed New York by Edward Rutherfurd for the American Revolution Reading Challenge 2013. Here’s an excerpt:
The time covered here is 1664 to 2009 and characters include natives, Dutch, English, slaves, freemen, Irish, Italians, and Puerto Ricans. There are Quakers, Catholics, Anglicans, other Protestants, and Jews.
In the Revolutionary War period, we have a father and son on opposite sides of the struggle, and detail on the tax and representation issues that led to the war.
Read the full review.
**Attention participants: Remember to email us a link to your reviews, and we’ll post them here so we can see what everyone is reading!**
Book Snob recently read and reviewed The Crossing by Jim Murphy for the American Revolution Reading Challenge 2013. Here’s an excerpt:
The Crossing is an excellent historical retelling of the beginning of the American Revolution. It is full of maps, pictures, and even gives a description of the famous painting on the cover by Emmanuel Gottlieb Leutze.
If you want to know the true story of the beginning of the American Revolution told in eloquent, simplified text you need to check out The Crossing.
Read the full review.
**Attention participants: Remember to email us a link to your reviews, and we’ll post them here so we can see what everyone is reading!**
Unabridged Chick recently read and reviewed The Loyalist’s Wife by Elaine Cougler for the American Revolution Reading Challenge 2013. Here’s an excerpt:
The writing style is straightforward, although occasionally too simplistic for my tastes (I sometimes felt as if rather intense moments were breezed over now and then, to my disappointment; I would have loved to dig in and really sit with some of these deeply distressing times!). The point-of-view switches every few chapters from Lucy to John, which I found a little maddening; while I appreciate what it does to build tension, it made me want to scream when the switch happened at a particularly tense moment or when I was really ‘in’ one particular character’s psyche.
Read the full review.
**Attention participants: Remember to email us a link to your reviews, and we’ll post them here so we can see what everyone is reading!**
Savvy Verse & Wit recently read and reviewed Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson for the American Revolution Reading Challenge in 2013. Here’s an excerpt:
Forge has a dual meaning in that the army’s mettle, as well as Curzon and Isabel’s, are tested, and these characters must forge ahead and overcome the challenges they face. In a literal sense, Curzon tries to create a counterfeit of himself and pass himself off as a free man to become a soldier, as well as a key’s likeness to turn the lock on freedom.
Read the full review.
**Attention participants: Remember to email us a link to your reviews, and we’ll post them here so we can see what everyone is reading!**
Books and Movies recently read and reviewed Woods Runner by Gary Paulsen for the American Revolution Reading Challenge in 2013. Here’s a sample:
Paulsen knows how to write about boys for boys. His character was a real boy, placed in an impossible situation, who rose to the occasion and yet still retained his youth. I also enjoyed the short sections between chapters, in which Paulsen gives the reader a little information about the history and conditions of the time period.
Read the full review.
**Attention participants: Remember to email us a link to your reviews, and we’ll post them here so we can see what everyone is reading!**
Savvy Verse & Wit and Scrappy Cat both posted reviews of the read-a-long book, Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson, for the American Revolution Reading Challenge in 2013. Here’s an excerpt from Savvy Verse & Wit:
Anderson’s young adult novel deftly balances the cruelty of slavery with the sensibilities of young adults, ensuring that the abuse and cruelty is never more than young readers can handle. However, there are some instances that do become graphic, but it is essential to demonstrate the fates that faced a number of slaves, especially those who attempted or even thought about escaping their masters.
Read the full review.
Here’s an excerpt from Scrappy Cat:
I thought the book was well written and I probably would not have read it if it hadn’t been for the read-along, because I don’t usually read young adult books (which this book is).
Read the full review.
***This just in, a review from The Children’s War. Here’s a snippet:
Isabel is a very strong willed girl and Mrs. Lockton knows it and is determined to break that will and so she is constantly trying to tighten the chains of slavery that bind Isabel. Yet, it takes a while for the realization that Mrs. Lockton cannot chain her soul to really sink in to Isabel’s consciousness, even though all her actions had always already proven it to be true.
Read the full review.
**Attention participants: Remember to email us a link to your reviews, and we’ll post them here so we can see what everyone is reading!**
Savvy Verse & Wit recently read and reviewed The Turncoat: Renegades of the Revolution by Donna Thorland for the American Revolution War Reading Challenge in 2013. Here’s a sample:
Thorland weaves fact with fiction seamlessly in this historical novel about the American Revolution, and readers will see the strategy and battle scenes play out with gruesome consequences. She captivates her readers through the building of strong and flawed characters whose lives are not only torn apart by war, but also the loyalty they feel to their families and countries even as they see hope in the enemy.
Read the full review.
**Attention participants: Remember to email us a link to your reviews, and we’ll post them here so we can see what everyone is reading!**
Savvy Verse & Wit recently read and reviewed Jack Absolute by C.C. Humphreys for the American Revolution War Reading Challenge in 2013. Here’s an excerpt:
The novel gives readers a detailed glimpse into American Revolution battles — Saratoga and Stanwix –with Americans pulled between loyalty to the Crown and the desire for freedom. At the same time, Absolute is torn between his duty to the Crown and his desire to protect his adopted brethren the Iroquois. Humphreys mixes it up with Native Americans loyal to both England and Rebels, as well as those Native Americans that were schooled in Christianity and took on English names.
Read the full review.
**Attention participants: Remember to email us a link to your reviews, and we’ll post them here so we can see what everyone is reading!**
War Through the Generations 