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My Brother Sam Is Dead

by James Lincoln Collier, Christopher Collier

3.35 of 5 stars 3.35 · rating details · 7,259 ratings · 836 reviews

The classic story of one family torn apart by the Revolutionary War -- now with special After Words bonus features!

All his life, Tim Meeker has looked up to his brother Sam. Sam's smart and brave -- and is now a part of the American Revolution. Not everyone in town wants to be a part of the rebellion. Most are supporters of the British -- including Tim and Sam's father.
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Paperback, 240 pages

Published June 1st 2005 by Scholastic Paperbacks (first published 1974)

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Oct 21, 2007 Adam rated it 1 of 5 stars Recommends it for: no one

This book is about a guy who's brother, Sam, is dead. Wait, he's not dead yet. He dies on the very last page of the book. Another title for this book could very be something along the lines of "My Brother Sam is in the Army and he's not Coming Home Until He Dies." That just about sums the book up. This book doesn't really have a plot. It's really about a guy (who's name I can't remember) who's brother goes off to fight in the army. After that, the guy talks to Sam's old girlfriend, gets his fath...more

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Jan 13, 2008 Stephanie Holmes rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: anyone who likes American history

Recommended to Stephanie by: social studies teacher

My Brother Sam is a story that takes place during the American Revolution. It is the story of a boy named Sam who decided to join the Rebel army. His family owns a tavern and do not agree with Sam’s decision to join the army because they support the British government. There is additional conflict when Sam needs a weapon before he leaves, so he makes plans to steal his father’s gun. Sam’s journey is a long one with many difficult times. He quickly grows up because there is no longer time to act...more My Brother Sam is a story that takes place during the American Revolution. It is the story of a boy named Sam who decided to join the Rebel army. His family owns a tavern and do not agree with Sam’s decision to join the army because they support the British government. There is additional conflict when Sam needs a weapon before he leaves, so he makes plans to steal his father’s gun. Sam’s journey is a long one with many difficult times. He quickly grows up because there is no longer time to act like a child when you are fighting a war. He experiences the excitement of winning a battle, but at the same time learns and experiences the tragedy of war and sees many friends die. It is story that brings to life the history of America, while making it a personal journey of one boy fighting for what he believed was the right thing to do for America.

The tone of the story is a mixture of excitement for the possibilities of what America can become, but at the same time there is a great deal of tragedy in Sam’s experience. He and his family experience many difficult times just as families did at that time. The characters in the story, Sam, his brother Tim, his mother and father, and his girlfriend Betsy, would seem to be the members of any family living in America at the time of the American Revolution. They each have their own belief about what is right and wrong, and if the fighting between the colonists is good or bad for the country. There is conflict as well as the support for each other that families provide. It was a difficult time, but the story is well told with the theme of the American Revolution and the lessons learned from it. By providing images of real battles and places you get a better understanding of how difficult life must have been during that time in America.

I would suggest this book to everyone. It is probably most interesting for someone who enjoys American History. It is also a good read for anyone who doesn’t normally like history because you can learn a lot about the American Revolution by living it with Sam. Although it is fiction, the writer has used real battles and real places in history to tell the story which make it interesting and educational at the same time. This book offers the excitement of a mystery, in what will happen next. The joy of love and the tragedy of death, with the details of the history of our country are all in this book. I give this book 4 stars!
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Jan 15, 2009 Sunny rated it 5 of 5 stars

My Brother Sam is Dead by Collier and Collier
Newberry Honour Book
Rating: 9/10. I love anti-war books.

Basic plot: Tim, the narrator, is a preteen boy who idolizes his brother. But when Sam defies his father and leaves Yale to fight in the American Revolution, Tim is torn between loyalties. Tim's father is captured by "cow-boys" (men who steal cattle for the Patriots/Rebels) but Tim manages to get home to his mother. Father, who was against the war from the beginning, ironically dies aboard a Brit...more

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May 29, 2011 Josiah rated it 3 of 5 stars

I'm always eager to get new perspectives on the Revolutionary War, to hear the story of fledgling America's fight for independence told with a new twist from someone who has a good story to relate. Authors James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier certainly have a unique and sobering story to tell through the characters of the Meeker family, and the enormous effect that the American Revolution ultimately had on their small, simple family in the United States of 1770s colonial times.

Tim's o...more I'm always eager to get new perspectives on the Revolutionary War, to hear the story of fledgling America's fight for independence told with a new twist from someone who has a good story to relate. Authors James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier certainly have a unique and sobering story to tell through the characters of the Meeker family, and the enormous effect that the American Revolution ultimately had on their small, simple family in the United States of 1770s colonial times.

Tim's older brother, Sam, is completely opposed to their father when it comes to the issue of American independence that has become such a hot-button topic of the day. Great Britain and young America are edging closer to a war that appears more and more unavoidable with the passage of time. England is never going to willingly give up its rights to its overseas territory, and the residents of American soil, fed up with the paying of exorbitant taxes to a monarch living a thousand miles away over the Atlantic, will not take much more of being pushed around.

When the pressure of the issue between Sam and his father comes to a boiling point, Sam runs off to join the new Continental Army, proud to be able to do something to fight for the freedom of his homeland. Tim takes on the added responsibilities of his brother around the tavern that the family owns, and their father pretends that Sam never even existed, but the rift in the family is ever-present, and Tim is unsure on which side of the conflict he really wishes to be. Is he a loyal Tory like his father, willing to accept the overseas rule and taxation of the British crown, or does he value freedom above all else, like his brother, and want to make the British pay for having oppressed America for as long as they have?

Further complications come into play when a group of thieves masquerading as anti-British Patriots harasses Tim and his father on their way to sell beef at a trading post in a far-off town. These cow-boys aren't real Patriots, but they carefully watch the pass where trade traffic flows, in an attempt to catch anyone who might be planning to sell food products to the British; if they find a local Tory going to trade, then they can steal his wares under the guise of patriotism and likely go unpunished for their crime. They aren't about to let a prominent Tory such as Tim's father go by unchecked, and though he makes it through the first time, he isn't so lucky on the return trip. Tim's father disappears with hardly a trace into the wintry night, toward a fate that no one can guess for certain.

Sam's return to town and news of their father's fate find their way home eventually, but Tim is still just as confused as ever about what he really believes is the right direction for his country. When the terrors of a faraway war finally strike home in a way that is impossible to ignore, Tim realizes the price of war, a price that goes beyond what is right and wrong to strike at the heart of every man, woman and child on whose behalf the price has been paid.

My Brother Sam Is Dead takes a whole new angle on the American Revolution as we know it. The plot has little to do with the suspense and drama of combat, focusing more on the stress that war places on the families of those who are out fighting, and how the physical manifestation of wartime aggression can be the catalyst for a family to be torn apart by the seams. There is some sense of the horrors of war given in the book, but the story is driven mostly by the family drama of Tim and his parents not knowing where Sam is at any time, of constantly being unsure whether he's even alive or dead.

My Brother Sam Is Dead is a powerful novel, unexpected and thoughtful in its final delivery. It's more than just your typical story about the American Revolution; it is at all times a moral quandary posed as to how one should react under painful and difficult circumstances, and a call to ask ourselves how we would act if placed in the same situation as Tim, or Sam, or their father. This is a fine novel with much historical and philosophical value, but also filled with plenty of action. I would recommend it as one of the best books about the Revolutionary War that I have read. (less)

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Jun 09, 2010 BJ Rose rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: adventure, history-usa, newbery, young-adult, american-history

This is apparently an often-banned YA book. Since it was written in 1975, it has appeared on many annual banned-book lists. The reasons are varied, and IMO mostly ridiculous. One reason given was 'foul language' - the word damn was used once or twice, and perhaps even bloody, a British cuss word. Another reason given was 'extreme violence' - the Revolutionary War was going on, and descriptions were given of what had been seen in battle, including a beheading during a fight between British soldie...more

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Feb 14, 2009 LeeAnn rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

I had been told by authoritative sources that this was an excellent book to add to our collection of American historical fiction. I did not like it because I found it unbelievable. Their is one young lady in particular that had a mouth and manners that would have been regarded as tremendously rude and uncouth in a young lady at that time. (I think would be equally so in today's world but unfortunately more common.)

This book has the distinction of representing the Loyalist point of view during t...more

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May 10, 2011 Patrick rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is a work of historical fiction that revolves around the foundation of America. The reader follows Tim Meeker's account of events at the beginning and through the Revolutionary War. It is a coming-of-age tale for both Tim and an infant America as the pains of trying to grow and maintain order becomes the strange focus at the end of the novel. The ending seems a bit out of place, certainly not the path for the story that is set up by the title and the content.

You meet Benedict Arnold and ot...more

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Feb 25, 2009 Jessica rated it 3 of 5 stars

this is one book that i enjoed that is historical fiction.

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Jan 12, 2009 Andy258 rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book is the best.

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Mar 05, 2013 Jessica Vanhemel rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: classics

This was a book that I had never read, and since it was a Newbery Honor book I figured that it would be pretty good, and it was. The only illustrations are the front cover art work and a map of the small town and a map of the Long Island Sound at the beginning of the book.

This is the story of Tim Meeker, a young man growing up in a Tory town, very loyal to the king. His father wants no part of the war that is going to happen between the Loyalists and the Rebels, although at first it seems that...more This was a book that I had never read, and since it was a Newbery Honor book I figured that it would be pretty good, and it was. The only illustrations are the front cover art work and a map of the small town and a map of the Long Island Sound at the beginning of the book.

This is the story of Tim Meeker, a young man growing up in a Tory town, very loyal to the king. His father wants no part of the war that is going to happen between the Loyalists and the Rebels, although at first it seems that he is loyal. Tim has an older brother Sam, who was away at college when he joins the Rebel army, this causes a rift between Sam and their father. Tim can't really understand what is right, sometimes he feels that his father is right and sometimes he feels that Sam is right. He doesn't really understand what is going on fully, he doesn't understand what this freedom is that his brother keeps telling him about. Tim is around 12 when his brother leaves, this means that he is doing all of the chores that his brother used to help him with, in a way he resents his brother for leaving. At some point Tim must go on a trip with his father, about 30 miles away. Along the way they are attacked by rebels, who wish to steal the cattle they are taking to be sold. Before any real damage can be done the redcoats show up and escort the Meeker's the rest of the way safely. On the way back an awful snow storm happens, Tim is separated from his father, who is scouting ahead for safety. Tim ends up back at home without his father, for while they have no idea what happened to him. Eventually they found out that he had been arrested and placed on a ship where he died of cholera. Around this time Sam comes home for a visit, he hadn't been home in 2 years, he thought that his family hated him for his choice of joining the army. His family needs him to come home and help around the tavern that they own, he tells that that he plans on reenlisting when his time is up. Tim had gathered some cattle to take to market to try and sell, when Sam showed up he told Tim to slaughter the cows and hide the meat. Tim waited and one night, the cows were missing and the boys went in search of them. Sam is caught and accused of thievery which is not tolerated by his commanding officer, at his trial he is sentenced to death. Sam was executed shortly after by gun fire, his brother was in attendance. He was killed for technically stealing his own cattle, Tim had a hard time recovering, even though he was not directly involved in the fighting he felt the blows of war first hand, with the death of his father and then witnessing the death of his brother. Shortly after this Tim and his mother moved from the town and settled elsewhere, but were forever changed by what happened during the war.

This book would be good for an additional read during a history unit on the Revolutionary War. The topics covered in the story and the language used in the story would be inappropriate for younger readers. This is also a good book to compare what the point of view of the characters does to the story and to show the students that point of view can change the story. There are a lot of good vocabulary words that can be found in this book. (less)

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Dec 10, 2012 Jungho L. rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book was about a boy named Timothy Meeker and how he and his family lived during the Revolutionary war. His dad supports the British but his brother ran away to join the continental army. As he lives through his life, he has many troubles. First of all, his dad and him gets stopped by robbers twice and then his brother Sam dies because he is accused of being a cattle thief but he was only trying to stop the cattle thief. Then his dad dies too of being loyal to the British. Timothy wants too...more

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Oct 29, 2012 Sami Frank rated it 3 of 5 stars

I remember reading this book when I was in elementary school. It is a classic book that every student gets to read in their life and share a part of history. Sam Meeker, the main character, decides that he wants to go into the army but his parents do not agree. His brother Tim thought it was a good idea, but was shocked to hear that Sam wanted to lie to his parents and take his dads gun. Sam ends up running away from home and staying in a hut. Tim, wants adventure like his brother and is constan...more

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Oct 28, 2012 Susan Riegger rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: children-s-literature

" My Brother Sam is Dead" is a wonderful example of a historical fiction novel.It won the Newberry Award in 1975. It uses the Revoltionary War as a backdrop and has several familiar charaters,Benedict Arnold and General Putman listed in the story. Sam, a Yale university graduates decides to join the Rebels against the wishes of this father, a British loyalist. Sam must steal his father's gun and then runs away to join up with the rebels. the story is told by is brother Tim, who is quite confused...more

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Oct 24, 2012 Katie McGaha rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: classic-book

I have to admit that I also read this book when I was in middle school and my feelings about it are still the same. I was always a sucker for historical fiction, especially about the revolutionary war. I think this book gives great insight to what life was like back then as well as easy for children today to relate to. Many kids deal with siblings away in service and the hardship of losing a parent or sibling. This book as real sobering issues that actually happened in this time period. I always...more

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Sep 28, 2012 Dave rated it 4 of 5 stars

What feeling do you get when a person you love is going to war on the opposite side that you believe in? My Brother Sam is Dead is just that. The novel was pretty good! Some parts of the book were sometimes dull, but the author did a really good job with the bocab, placing them where it absolutely fit, forming a story.
This story has two main characters, Sam and Tim. Tim was 12 and Sam was 17. They were mostly, and when I say mostly, I mean 90% realistic, which made it feel real. Although it too...more

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Sep 25, 2012 Alex De rated it 5 of 5 stars

Book review
The book my Brother Sam is dead is written by two authors named Coiller and Coiller.This story takes place in the late 1770s during the Revolutionary war but the family live in Connecticut.Tim,a 13-year-old boy,is startled when his adult brother Sam decides to joined the Continental Army. The only upset to his brother joining the Continental Army is that the whole family except for Sam are Loyalists.Later after Sam joins the army,Tim's father takes Tim to New York to help sell cattle....more

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Sep 25, 2012 Peter Lu rated it 4 of 5 stars

My Brother Sam is Dead is a very intriguing book that tells the story of a maturing, intelligent young boy named Tim Meeker. The setting is in Redding, Connecticut and takes place during the Revolutionary War. The plot is tense and suspenseful, as Tim's older brother Sam disobeys his father to join the Rebel Forces against the British. They are fighting to the death, and every day his family running the tavern constantly worries for him, hoping that he will someday return home.
The chapters al...more
My Brother Sam is Dead is a very intriguing book that tells the story of a maturing, intelligent young boy named Tim Meeker. The setting is in Redding, Connecticut and takes place during the Revolutionary War. The plot is tense and suspenseful, as Tim's older brother Sam disobeys his father to join the Rebel Forces against the British. They are fighting to the death, and every day his family running the tavern constantly worries for him, hoping that he will someday return home.
The chapters always leave you pondering about what might happen next, because the convoluted plot involving numerous characters adds much suspense. For example, when Tim's father was captured by raiders on their way back from Verplancks Point, I realized that Tim must have felt an extreme sense of loss, but I would never know what could happen next. In other books, such as the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, I would never have expected that Katniss Everdeen would volunteer in the place of her sister as a sacrificial tribute almost surely doomed to die. In My Brother Sam is Dead, I was scared what might happen to Tim's father because I believed it would ruin the plot of the book. It would be difficult to convince the reader that Tim Meeker had truly matured and changed if his father had died, and find a way to still keep Sam as a relevant part of the story. But even though Tim's father "Life" did sadly pass away, the authors James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier launched the whole story into a new phase. Everything made perfect sense, and showed how Tim matured and served guests with his mother in the tavern, cared for cattle, and ran the barn. In addition, the authors successfully explained Sam's emotional feelings when he returned home and found out about his father's tragic death.
The author also describes the scenes with great finesse. When Tim was traveling with his father to Verplancks Point to trade goods, they met many friends, cousins, and raiders along the way. While reading this chapter, I was excessively confused at the order of events and what was happening. Though as the chapter continued, the context of the situation became increasingly easy to understand because the authors were able to smoothly intertwine suspense and good description together. The only flaw I see in the writing of this book is the old-fashioned style of writing for the time period it was published in. Some phrases are difficult to understand, but this problem is only a minor one and should not be considered when reading this great story. This book will be a great read for all ages, especially young teenagers, but some might find the story's writing style a little antique in contrast to the thrilling, action-packed contemporary style.(less)

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Aug 24, 2012 Ann Carpenter rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, newbery

I did not think I would enjoy this book. The cover blurbs generally focus on something like "Tim's brother is a Patriot and his father is a Loyalist! Poor Tim doesn't know which side to be on!" which made it sound like it would be a wishy-washy narrator who has a coming-of-age moment when he realizes that he doesn't have to follow in his father's footsteps and inevitably joins on the side of the rebels. I should have realized that such a predictable plot-line and character arc are not what wins...more I did not think I would enjoy this book. The cover blurbs generally focus on something like "Tim's brother is a Patriot and his father is a Loyalist! Poor Tim doesn't know which side to be on!" which made it sound like it would be a wishy-washy narrator who has a coming-of-age moment when he realizes that he doesn't have to follow in his father's footsteps and inevitably joins on the side of the rebels. I should have realized that such a predictable plot-line and character arc are not what wins a Newbery Honor. Instead of what I thought I was going to read, I encountered what has to be the best anti-war book aimed at middle school students that I have ever read.

Far from being about whether Tim chooses to be a Tory or a Rebel, Tim's coming-of-age moments generally happen when he is forced to the conclusion that war is hell and that everyone involved in the war, on both sides, is irrevocably changed by the experience, and not for the good. Both sides do heinous things, and both sides make excellent points about why they should win. I'm so used to reading books set during the Revolution that just assume that obviously the Patriots were the good guys and fighting the cause of the just, that it was twice as shocking to see the gritty reality portrayed here. Tim's epilogue written as an adult even says that while he thinks, in the end, that becoming their own country was a good thing, he wishes it could have been done without having to go to war.

One of the things I appreciated about the book is that we were not witness to any battles. Historical fiction centered around a major event (like a war) generally bends over backward to put the main character at a turning point in the event. Not so here. We see the war from the point of view of a backwater village. Battles are fought far away and the effects of the war are felt in the lack of food, lack of security, and the many friends and neighbors who are killed in distant parts. When the British pass through very briefly there is a fatal skirmish and when the Patriots camp out in town there are dramatic repercussions, but neither of these highly traumatic scenes are parts of a battle or very important in the big picture. Part of the power of the anti-war message in the book is how many characters are killed as a direct result of the war for stupid reasons that have no real impact on the "glory of war". (less)

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Jun 05, 2012 Joe rated it 4 of 5 stars

My Brother Sam Is Dead (Book Review)

“My Brother Sam is Dead” is a book about two boys, Sam Meeker and Tim Meeker. Tim seems to be the main character of the book, he lives in the time of 1750, with his father, mother, and his brother Sam Meeker. Tim Meeker works at a tavern with his mother and father, his brother, Sam Meeker, enlists to the army of the rebels. In the time of the Revolutionary War, Tim Meeker becomes to be the only one with his mother working on the farm and tavern. In this story...more

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Jun 03, 2012 Colin Jackson rated it 4 of 5 stars

I just have to say, “Wow.” This book was an extraordinary find. I don’t really like history books, but this one had me by the collar saying, don’t stop reading it! I didn’t either. This book had a special feel, unlike other books that just say what the do and then get over with it. Not this one! It goes through a whole period of events in which dozens of people die.

This book is about a young boy named Sam Meeker who has to make a horrible decision: To fight WITH his people, or to fight AGAINST t...more

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Mar 25, 2012 Stephen Tori rated it 3 of 5 stars

My Brother Sam is Dead is a touching novel about a young boy, Tim, and his older brother, Sam. The Revolutionary War has just broken out and Sam is an adamant revolutionary, while the father is a strong loyalist. Tim is very close to his brother and is shocked when Sam runs away to join the Colonial Army. With his brother gone Tim must take on added responsibility around the house and family tavern. The war causes many hardships and on a trip to town for supplies Tim’s father is captured, being...more

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Mar 07, 2012 Erin Reilly-Sanders rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, historical, religious, juvenile, audio

In the end, I gave this a 3- an average of 2 for how I liked the book and 4 for the interesting thoughts the book provoked.

As I was reading it, I wasn't too into the main character, which makes sense given Soter's analysis of Tim as a sort of stand0n innocent child who can question the ideas of war, even if you disagree that it's commentary on the Vietnam War. While the experience of reading the book isn't particularly great (the scene where Tim throw the bayonet is particularly weak, reflecting...more

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Jan 12, 2012 Peter Roy rated it 3 of 5 stars

My Brother Sam is dead written by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier followed Timothy Meeker and his family who lived in Redding Connecticut. The book starts out as Tim's older brother, Sam returns from college, even though he is 16, and informs his family of his bold decision of joining the Colonial Army in fighting off the British during the Revolutionary War. The Meeker parents do not believe in this choice because they still consider themselves loyal to the British Rule. This caus...more

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Nov 06, 2011 Melissa rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: junior-chapter

My Brother Sam is Dead
By: James Lincoln Collier

Genre: Historical Fiction

A. Young Tim Meeker learns to grow up quickly when his brother Sam runs off to the Rebel army and his father is kidnapped during a trip to buy supplies in New York. There is a lot of tension among towns people due to the war. Some agree, others are completely against it. This is an excellent tale providing factual information about the Revolutionary War but gives excellent story line to make it interesting for younger reader...more

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Nov 03, 2011 LoRee Thomas rated it 3 of 5 stars

LoRee Thomas
11-3-11
Block 2

Book Review
The book I read was My brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoln Collier, and Christopher Collier. The main characters of this book are Tim Meeker, Sam Meeker, and the Father who’s name is not mentioned. The story takes place in Redding, Connecticut during the early 1970‘s.The story is told from the perspective of Tim Meeker in first person.The genre of this book is historical fiction and contains two hundred and sixteen pages. The main conflict of this book is...more

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Mar 31, 2011 Pete R rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: finished-irp-books

My brother same is dead is based on the life of a young boy named Tom Meeker. It takes place in Connecticut during the Revolutionary War when the Patriots were fighting the British. Tim has an older brother named Sam who decides to join the Patriots to help fight off the British. Tim's father who is Anglican which basically means he is loyal to the Church of England. He became very upset to hear that Sam wanted to join the Patriots and fight against his homeland. And to make his father even more...more

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Oct 15, 2010 Andy Lee rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-fiction

Based on the title I figured I would know the plot of the story and that it would be very predictable, but I couldn't have been more wrong, although another title might have better suited the story.

The story is very well-written and easy to read. It flows quickly covering a lot of ground as it captures the lives of the Meeker family during the Revolutionary War.

This book does what a textbook could not, which is capture the life accurately of a family living during the time when America rebelled...more

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Sep 15, 2010 Aziza rated it 4 of 5 stars

In the book “My Brother Sam Is Dead” the main character is Tim. He is a trader, doesn’t know what he is, and doesn’t believe in his mom, dad and brother. His very curious but always worried about others. Always once act like his big brothers. He proved to himself that he will never be like his big brother. Now I want you to meet Sam. Sam is determent always wants freedom from others, fight for his life. He doesn’t care about his family. He says that his country is first. He is very head strong...more

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Jun 03, 2010 Tatyana rated it 4 of 5 stars

My Brother Sam is Dead is a tragic, yet educational book. While the main characters face problems with family and friends, readers not only experience conflict throughout the story but they also learn about life at war and many historical events that took place in the past. This particular book is half true and half made up. Reason being: the author(s) mixed real life happenings with fictitious happenings to make a well-developed story. It is about a teenage boy, Sam, who wants to fight in the w...more

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Jan 06, 2010 Mary Overton added it · review of another edition

A terrible, brilliant historical novel about the reality of war on the homefront, how it disrupts and destroys families and how it forces young people to grow up quickly. Tim, the narrator, is 13, the son of a tavern owner in Connecticut, when the American Revolution begins.

"So there were a lot of changes in our lives, but the biggest was the one that was happening inside myself. Ever since I had got the wagon home by myself I hadn't felt like a boy anymore. You don't think that things really ha...more A terrible, brilliant historical novel about the reality of war on the homefront, how it disrupts and destroys families and how it forces young people to grow up quickly. Tim, the narrator, is 13, the son of a tavern owner in Connecticut, when the American Revolution begins.

"So there were a lot of changes in our lives, but the biggest was the one that was happening inside myself. Ever since I had got the wagon home by myself I hadn't felt like a boy anymore. You don't think that things really happen overnight, but this one did. Of course I was dead tired when I went to bed that night, and Mother let me sleep late in the morning. And when I woke up I was different. I noticed it first at breakfast. Usually I sat there over my porridge moaning to myself about the chores I had to do or having to go to school or something, and trying to think of some way to get out of whatever it was. Or when Mother turned her head I'd scoop up a fingerful of molasses from the jar and stir it into my milk. Or I'd eat breakfast slowly so I could stall off going to work.
"But that morning after the terrible trip home, right from the first moment we got finished saying grace, I began planning the things I had to do - which things had to be done first and what was the best way to get them done. It was funny: it didn't even cross my mind to stall or try to get out of the work. I didn't wait for Mother to tell me what to do: I brought the subject up myself. ....
"We discussed it all, and about half way through breakfast I began to realize that I had changed. I wasn't acting my usual self, I was acting more like a grownup. You couldn't say that I was really an adult, but I wasn't a child anymore, that was certain. I thought about showing off in front of [my older brother:] Sam when he came home. I'd say things like, 'Well, Sam, we've decided not to put in oats this year, we're going to use the space for corn.' Or, 'We're not keeping the kitchen fire going all the time - I haven't got enough time for woodcutting as it is.' I would be the one who knew about things, not him." pp. 132-133(less)

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About James Lincoln Collier

James Lincoln Collier (born June 27, 1928) is a journalist, author, and professional musician.

Collier's notable literary works include My Brother Sam Is Dead (1974), a Newbery Honor book that was also named a Notable Children's Book by the American Library Association and nominated for a National Book Award in 1975. He also wrote a children's book titled The Empty Mirror (2004), The Teddy Bear Hab...more

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title link	preview: My Brother Sam Is Dead
avg rating	preview: My Brother Sam Is Dead Goodreads rating: 3.35 (7259 ratings)
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BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/122756.My_Brother_Sam_Is_Dead?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328867125l/122756.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/122756.My_Brother_Sam_Is_Dead?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]My Brother Sam Is Dead by James Lincoln Collier[/url]

My Brother Sam Is Dead

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