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104th out of 533 books
—
1,388 voters
The Fifth of March: A Story of the Boston Massacre
by
Ann Rinaldi
Rachel Marsh is a servant in the Boston household of John Adams. But her loyalty to the Adams family is tested by her friendship with Matthew Kilroy, a British private who leads his soldiers in firing upon a mob of Boston citizens.
Paperback, 352 pages
Published
March 1st 2004
by Graphia
(first published November 28th 1993)
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I really liked this YA Historical Fiction novel.
I am currently homeschooling my girls and trying to figure out how to inspire them to desire to learn on their own. I appreciated the heroine in this book who had a great desire to 'make something of herself' and determined in her mind that learning and books were the tools to help her do that. She also found a mentor or two to help her along her way.
I plan to read this out loud to my girls next year when we are studying American History.
I am currently homeschooling my girls and trying to figure out how to inspire them to desire to learn on their own. I appreciated the heroine in this book who had a great desire to 'make something of herself' and determined in her mind that learning and books were the tools to help her do that. She also found a mentor or two to help her along her way.
I plan to read this out loud to my girls next year when we are studying American History.
Apr 02, 2013
♥Robin ♥
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2013-book-challenge,
nbrc-reading-2013
I really enjoyed reading this book. Of course I'm a sucker for historical fiction as well as YA books. The plot was well written and I was immediately drawn into the story. The protagonist was easy to connect with especially with her interest in reading and the want to better herself despite her low socioeconomic status. The author's writing style was likeable which made the book an easy read. I must admit that there were tidbits of historical information that I didn't know so not only was this...more
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the first half of the book. 4 stars for the reading. Minus one star for my unresolved questions at the end. Such a sad situation for the British soldiers in Boston. I enjoyed reading about the turmoil in Boston and as people try to "pick their sides" during a time when they were still loyalists. Revolution was not yet being called out on the streets. But, there was a hunger for liberty in Boston.
**Spoiler alter**
The second half the book had "issues" I wish were expl...more
**Spoiler alter**
The second half the book had "issues" I wish were expl...more
My first book by Rinaldi and won't be my last. Compelling story with a main character that was easy to identify with. Rachel Marsh, the primary character, is an indentured servant to John and Abigail Adams and her job is to take care of their children. Rachel was a real person who was an indentured servant to the Adams family. I've read too many books about John and Abigail Adams for much of the information in the book to be new to me but I did learn some interesting tidbits about John Hancock a...more
The events surrounding the Boston Massacre as perceived by a maid in the Adams' household whose name was Rachel and is in the process of figuring out who she is and what her values are, and she wants to become. Probably one of Rinaldi's more readable books and she's a bit less heavy handed with the fact dropping than in most of her other books. Not sure I particularly like this character all that much, but I could see it being very appealing to girls who are themselves deeply insecure. Also, the...more
On March 5, 1770, one of the most unspeakable acts to ever occur on American soil at that time took place, inciting fires that would later contribute to the American Revolution. That day, the tensions that had been growing between the colonists and the British soldiers exploded, leaving behind many wounded and five dead. Imagine being a young indentured servant in the crowd of onlookers, rooted to your place by the horror of what was unfolding before you. Rachel Marsh, Rinaldi's heroine, recount...more
Photina Haumschilt
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rachel Marsh is an indentured servant to John and Abigail Adams in Boston, Massachusetts. Her job in the Adams' house is to care for their children. On her off days she yearns to better herself and starts going to the local bookstore to read books and learn. As the British soldiers arrive in Boston tensions start to become more apparent and people choose sides. Rachel is torn as she befriends a British soldier, Matthew Kilroy. Her Loyalties and own beli...more
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rachel Marsh is an indentured servant to John and Abigail Adams in Boston, Massachusetts. Her job in the Adams' house is to care for their children. On her off days she yearns to better herself and starts going to the local bookstore to read books and learn. As the British soldiers arrive in Boston tensions start to become more apparent and people choose sides. Rachel is torn as she befriends a British soldier, Matthew Kilroy. Her Loyalties and own beli...more
Since I enjoy history as well as a cast of ever-evolving characters, The Fifth of March was an engrossing read for me. Right from the start, the story swept me away and deposited me into colonial Boston where economic and political uncertainty was paramount during the 1770’s. I think that Ms. Rinaldi did an excellent job of providing a character, Rachel Marsh, an indentured servant to John and Abigail Adams, with whom the reader, especially young women, could relate. I became deeply absorbed and
...more
I read this because I was a fan of Rinaldi's book Acquaintance with Darkness. I didn't think I would enjoy a historical fiction book, but I really liked reading it!
It started off kinda boring, but as the first couple of chapters went on, it became a great book with a well-written plot.
I noticed that not all of the historical information in here was correct. But most of the time, it was. (Rinaldi wrote "Townsend Acts" instead of "Townshend Acts") The parts about the Boston Massacre were very accu...more
It started off kinda boring, but as the first couple of chapters went on, it became a great book with a well-written plot.
I noticed that not all of the historical information in here was correct. But most of the time, it was. (Rinaldi wrote "Townsend Acts" instead of "Townshend Acts") The parts about the Boston Massacre were very accu...more
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Growing up my favorite author was hands down Ann Rinaldi. I owned probably about a dozen or so of them and I would frequently borrow those that I didn’t own from the school library. After about age 15 I got distracted by other books and really forgot all about this author until a few weeks ago. I was exploring the author’s website for a feature I was doing on YA Historical Fiction and realized that she has still been releasing books, almost every year, and still is. This made me want to take som...more
Historical fiction about the Boston Massacre at the beginning of the American Revolution. This one is listed as a YA novel. Like the other Rinaldi novels I have read, it does a very good job of setting the place and time. Her descriptions are vivid enough for me to place myself into the book.
I read this because I am deciding whether her books are suitable for the 3rd - 5th grade library where I work. This one is mostly OK, just a few references to pregnancy that students of that age would not p...more
I read this because I am deciding whether her books are suitable for the 3rd - 5th grade library where I work. This one is mostly OK, just a few references to pregnancy that students of that age would not p...more
Story of the Boston Massacre through the eyes of Rachel Marsh, who is a servant working for John and Abigail Adams. It's definitely a book geared for a younger reader...not a lot of meat to it but a good story. I thought she brought up some good points about liberty and what it means to be an "American". We don't need anyone..including the government, to "do for us". We can do for ourselves. It seems that many in our country have lost that attitude which makes this book a good one for young adul...more
I really loved this book. It opened my eyes to a whole new aspect of the Boston Massacre that I wasn't familiar with. The author did a great job of telling the historical story by interweiving fiction. I will be changing the way I teach about this subject because of the book.
I really wish that there was a part at the end that seperated the fact from the fiction. Matthew Kilroy was really one of the accused soldiers. But I wasn't sure about Rachel Marsh. According to this website, she really was...more
I really wish that there was a part at the end that seperated the fact from the fiction. Matthew Kilroy was really one of the accused soldiers. But I wasn't sure about Rachel Marsh. According to this website, she really was...more
My aunt bought this book for me around the time I realized I was quickly outgrowing the American Girl collection, thinking I would love the book. Not only did I love it, Ann Rinaldi quickly became my favorite author.
I loved the character of Rachel, a young girl torn between two loyalties. She was also a great way to get a peek into the lives of the Adamses. Because of the this book, I was probably one of the few people in my elementary school that knew John Adams defended the officers accused i...more
I loved the character of Rachel, a young girl torn between two loyalties. She was also a great way to get a peek into the lives of the Adamses. Because of the this book, I was probably one of the few people in my elementary school that knew John Adams defended the officers accused i...more
I enjoyed this rousing story of the weeks surrounding the Boston Massacre. My knowledge of history is not strong and reading historical fiction is an easy way to get the flavor of the times. I liked Rachel Marsh, a girl who really did work for the Adams'. Her background and personality is fictional. She learned about what freedom/liberty is and learned the importance of making one's own way, being responsible for oneself. John Adams trod a difficult path during this turbulent time, defending the...more
Rebecca, a servant girl, befriends a British soldier Matthew at a time in Boston when people are infuriated with unfair taxation. She doesn't understand at first what the people are so incensed about and yet she is willing to learn. Her soldier is put in jail after responding to the mob with fatal force. She visits him in prison which endangers her position as a nurse to the children. She thinks that she should be at liberty to act according to what she thinks is best. She learns that with liber...more
I really learned a lot from 5th of March about how the American Revolution began and how both sides (the townspeople of Boston and the British soldiers) felt and how expectations pushed both sides into chaos. This is a YA book, suitable even for children, easy to understand, chock-full of interesting information and, above all, fair to all sides. It makes me mad that public schools didn't even mention the Boston Massacre. Ann Rinaldi's books are perfect for teaching your children and grandchildr...more
Being a history lover- especially of American history- I decided to pick the book up. Result? Instantly couldn't put it down. It had great characters, plot, and an enjoyable writing style. The story of Rachel Marsh and her life in Boston is a very enthralling read, and I highly recommend it. Whether or not your a history fan, you should still consider it. If you ARE a history fan, its a must. It gives us an interesting view into early American life, as well as a desirable recollection of the nig...more
The Fifth of March was about a young girl, Rachel Marsh, who was the nanny for the children of John and Abigail Adams. During her quest to educate herself and learn more, she is thrown into the world of unrest and rebellion. Rachel tries to find her place in this new and unsettling period. Her loyalties to the Adams is tested though when she becomes friends with a young British soldier, Matthew Kilroy. A good book about loyalty, liberty, friendship, and family.
I always enjoy how Rinaldi is able...more
I always enjoy how Rinaldi is able...more
The Fifth of March: A Story of the Boston Massacre is an excellently researched tale about the Boston Massacre. The main character, Rachel Marsh, was a nursemaid in John Adams' household for his many children. In this novel, she turns from a young teenager with a romanticized version of the world into a young woman with character and sense on her shoulders. She underwent this process by becoming friends with revolutionaries, such as Henry Knox, and British soldiers.
One aspect that I loved about...more
One aspect that I loved about...more
Okay. I know that I should write a real review of this, but... it'd be too critical.
I have to wonder if Ann Rinaldi did ANY research. I don't know that much about the Adams, having only read 6 or so books completely about them, but I found GAPING holes and horrible mistakes. Okay, not horrible, but still.
And the name dropping in this book? Wow. Way to drop Henry Knox, MERCY OTIS WARREN!, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Thomas Hutchinson... all of whom the Adams had contact, but I did wonder what hap...more
I have to wonder if Ann Rinaldi did ANY research. I don't know that much about the Adams, having only read 6 or so books completely about them, but I found GAPING holes and horrible mistakes. Okay, not horrible, but still.
And the name dropping in this book? Wow. Way to drop Henry Knox, MERCY OTIS WARREN!, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Thomas Hutchinson... all of whom the Adams had contact, but I did wonder what hap...more
This is the book for book club next week. It was a quick and easy read. It's designed to bring teens into an understanding of the revolutionary war and interestingly enough, it also showed some of the class differences which we see today. British American's brought classes with them and part of the war was fighting against the class system of blood and creating one of merit. Even then, the roots of money as a sign of class participation were already raising their head.
I love Abigail Adams.
I love Abigail Adams.
This historical novel is set in Boston in the early 1700's. It was a turbulent time as the settlers were trying to discern what being "American" might mean and also were attempting to disengage themselves from the "crown" of England. The protagonist in the book is a young woman named Rachel Marsh and she is working in the home of John Adams. We watch her grapple with what it means to be a young woman, what it means to be a servant, what it means to be educated, and what it means to be swept up i...more
I really liked this book, overall. It was well written, had a great historical base, and the Boston Massacre is one of my favorite events in American history, but I found Rachel and Matthew very, well, annoying. Matthew was a jerk, and Rachel was a chicken with her head chopped off through almost the entire thing. I really found that factor to make the book worse. But, overall it was great, like the rest of Ann Rinaldi's books.
It was a bad book, and I hated it. Simply because the author was playing with fire; she was really re writing history. So I've heard, and so I've resolved. I was horribly disappointed! It was such a flounce; I can't believe Ann Rinaldi could write that book the way she did! Like I've heard someone else say, ether she's done no research, or she was deliberately trying to change History, and most certainly not for the better.
Really rich in history. Ann Rinaldi was my very favorite writer growing up. I loved learning about history thru her books. This is about Rachel March who was a servant for John Adams. Its set amongst the revolutionary War, the war on taxation and the British occupation. It has dashing characters (Matthew Kilroy) and cringe worthy characters. Its a great rainy day read.
The Fifth of March is a well written book about a Patriot servant girl in the American Revolutionary War. This book is about a girl named Rachel and her finding her place in the war. When she starts to think that she is a Patriot because of her masters, John Adams and his wife. Her loyalty to the Adams is tested when she makes friends with a British Solider. What will she be? A Patriot or loyal to the king?
I didn't have a book to read one night so I started looking on our bookshelves and found this one. It is probably some book I was supposed to read for school and never did. It is a cute book and I was glad I found a fun way to read about the events leading up to Boston Massacre, an event in which the details had escaped me since my middle school years.
I really enjoyed The Fifth Of March. I was a little nervous when I first started it that there was so much focus on the history aspect of it and that I would get lost but it really picked up. I love Rachel, she was such a strong girl and I enjoyed her relationship with Matthew. It was a great book for learning about such an uncertain time in our nation's history.
This is the story of pre-revolutionary America told from the perspective of John and Abigail Adam's indentured servant, Rachel. I think the author did an excellent job of researching all of her facts. The characters felt real and I was moved by the confusion all the characters feel during this pivital time in our history.
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Ann Rinaldi (b. August 27, 1934, in New York City) is a young adult fiction author. She is best known for her historical fiction, including In My Father's House, The Last Silk Dress, An Acquaintance with Darkness, A Break with Charity, and Hang a Thousand Trees with Ribbons. She has written a total of forty novels, eight of which were listed as notable by the ALA. In 2000, Wolf by the Ears was lis...more
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“I want a place. It has to do with the kind of person I want to be. And how I fit in to everything. I want people to listen when I open my mouth. And know I'm worth listening to."
She stared at me. "That's all?"
To me it was not all, it was everything.”
—
11 people liked it
She stared at me. "That's all?"
To me it was not all, it was everything.”
“Are all American girls as daft as you, Rachel?"
"I hope so," I said.”
—
6 people liked it
More quotes…
"I hope so," I said.”
