Student Summaries Page One

James and Christopher Collier wrote this novel.

What is your opinion of the novel?

My opinion of this novel is that I think that the book had amazing rising actions. But the book ended right at the climax of the story. This I did not like because it was very quick and short and I didn't like how Sam died because he went on fire the first time he was shot and then was killed the second time. This was very sad because Sam was a soldier fighting with the Patriots and then was killed by them by false blame.

What do you think the author is trying to reveal to the readers?

I think that the authors are trying to reveal that life at that time was the same as everyone else’s. Also they were trying to say how many people died in the war. This is because if one person dies a piece of everyone else dies too. I especially think that they were trying to reveal the life that normal families like the Meeker’s had. I also think that they were trying to say that it was difficult for everyone during the war. This is a fact because any war is difficult for people to handle.

What did you personally like about the book?

The part that I like personally about this book is the one where in the opening when Sam comes home in his uniform for the first time. Everybody looks at him. That had created a particular scene for me about a young man who is going to fight in the Revolutionary War. So I automatically have a picture of a family eating dinner with guest’s the oldest son comes home from college in uniform. Informs and discuses with his parent’s that he is going to war. As well as the younger brother admiring him and looking up to him.

Which person from our 'sister' school did you relate to the most or whose comments did you like reading the most?

The person that I related to the most from our ‘sister’ school was Olivia W. She wrote very well of her thoughts and her feelings about each chapter. Here is one of the many answers that she posted, which I like the most.
“Chapter 4 just stunned me (in a bad way) Tim really should have never delivered that letter in the first place. You could tell that he knew something was going to go wrong, but he still did it.) Well, I actually do trust Mr. Heron because even though some people might not based on what Betsy said, has Betsy really been a good and trusted person in this chapter? NO! She physically attacked Tim and you trust HER opinions on Mr. Heron. I completely do not trust her at all by the way she acted. Betsy couldn't get any more annoying. She knew that she was annoying Tim by standing in his way. If she could have just left him alone and nothing with opening the letter would have happened. Tim would have gained Mr. Heron's trust. Tim could go to jail for breaking the seal on someone else's letter! She needs to have a little more respect for him. She is really getting on my nerves). The chapter was relatively short, but still needed to be there. The last sentence really was a sign of foreshadowing. Betsy really needs to grow up and leave Tim and leave the Meekers alone. 
Well there’s my opinions on Chapter 6. 
 Talk to you later! 
Love always, 
Olivia. As well as her Patrick Henry Limerick,

Patrick Henry Limerick:

Patrick Henry was an Anti-Federalist
He took a stand and rose his fist

"Give me liberty, or give me death!" was his famous line

He did not like paying the British taxes and fines

When this great man died, he sure was missed

This is the person that I was most related to.

novaFeb 26, 2009 7:28 PM

1. I speculate that the author's main message was to inform on how a the war affects a family who's family member is in the war. It shows the struggle of having different views on the war. Sam thinks that the British have no right to rule over them. His father disagrees with him entirely, because he is a Tory. The blood slaughter turns once normal people into raveging mutated beasts. The message was how there's more to war then fighting ang killig. There's the emotional feelings of the family that lose their loved ones to war.
2. This book was well liked by me, because it tells more about the war, and it shows a boy's(Tim's) point of view throughout the book. It's very deetailed in the events of someone's life during the American Revolution.
3. I agree with James Finnerty, because hasinteresting opinions of the book.His interpretion of the chapters were very thoughtful.

kelseyFeb 26, 2009 7:46 PM

Hey guys,
1.) I thought that the message the author was trying to show was that fighting never helps anything. Even if we are mad at someone we can always just talk it out with them. Also, that war really can tear apart someone's family and make them choose sides which results in fighting between everyone.
2.) I liked this book because it was from Tim's point of view. He lived in that time of the war and I think he probably knew a lot about everything. It was also interesting, but I would not recommend this book for someone who likes reading an exciting and more fun/happy book. I don't like reading books about historical happenings, but surprisingly it wasn’t that bad to read!
3.) I think I agreed with James the most because I had the same opinions as him most of the time.