Sam the Minuteman

I Can Read: Level 3

by Nathaniel Benchley, Arnold Lobel (Illustrator)

In this exciting classic early reader, Nathaniel Benchly re-creates what it must have been like for a young boy to fight in the Battle of Lexington. Arnold Lobel's vivid pictures give a poignant reality to the famous battle that marked the beginning of the American Revolution. This is historical fiction that pulls in young readers in first and second grade, even reluctant readers. Great for home or classroom units on and discussions about colonial America and the start of the American Revolution. "Benchley's expressive words and Lobel's vivid drawings portray a realistic story," Publishers Weekly wrote.
Father and son rushed to the village green. Other Minutemen were already there. Through the long night they waited and waited. Then, at dawn, the soldiers came!

Genres: Historical Fiction, American History, Childrens, Picture Books, Fiction, American Revolution, School

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

Born in Newton, Massachusetts to a literary family, he was the son of Gertrude Darling and Robert Benchley (1889-1945), the noted American writer, humorist, critic, actor, and one of the founders of the Algonquin Round Table in New York City.

Nathaniel Benchley was the highly-respected author of many children's/juvenile books that provided learning for the youthful readers with stories of various animals or through the book's historical settings. Benchley dealt with diverse locales and topics such as "Bright Candles", which recounts the experiences of a 16-year-old Danish boy during the German occupation of his country in World War II; and "Small Wolf", a story about a Native American boy who meets white men on the island of Manhattan and learns that their ideas about land are different from those of his own peoples'.

Film director/producer, Norman Jewison made Benchley's 1961 novel The Off-Islanders into a motion picture titled The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming for which he received the nomination for an Academy Award for Writing Adapted Screenplay. He was a close friend of actor Humphrey Bogart and wrote his biography in 1975.

Benchley's novel Welcome to Xanadu was made into the 1975 motion picture Sweet Hostage.

His elder son, Peter Benchley (1940-2006), was a writer best known for writing the novel Jaws and the screenplay of the 1975 Steven Spielberg film made from it. His younger son, Nat Benchley, is a writer and actor who has portrayed his grandfather, Robert Benchley, in a one-man, semi-biographical stage show, "Benchley Despite Himself". The show was a compilation of Robert Benchley's best monologues, short films, radio rantings and pithy pieces as recalled, edited, and acted by his grandson Nat, and combined with family reminiscences and friends' perspectives."

Nathaniel Benchley died in 1981 in Boston, Massachusetts and was interred in the family plot at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Nantucket.

Reviews

[Luisa Knight]

Here's an exciting action book for your beginning reader! And with a little history to boot!

Reading Level: K - 3rd

**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it! Visit my website: The Book Radar.

[John Uit de Flesch]

Classic book from my childhood. I loved to listen to the tape along with it. It’s historical, exciting, and full of male bravado. It’s very politically incorrect. Have your kids read it, and maybe they will grow up to stand for something.

[Eduardo]

Personal Response:
I did not think this was the greatest book. I wasn't able to connect with the book. I thought it was going to have more action, but there wasn't enough interesting parts for me.

Plot:
In this book, the farmers fought with the British soldiers. The British were afraid America was becoming too strong. They sent soldiers to America. One night, the bells of the church were ringing. Sam looked from the window and he saw a bunch of people running. His dad was preparing his gun to go to the battle. Sam's dad told him to get ready to go to the battle, too. When they got to the first battle, the Red Coats killed 8 Minuteman. Sam's friend, John, got shot in the leg. After John got shot, all the Minutemen went back home. The Red Coats came to burn their houses, but the farmers were already there. When the Minutemen saw the Red Coats, they shot them. The battle ended but the Revolutionary War started, and America became a country.

Characterization:
Sam was a good boy, because he was very obedient to his parents. Also, he was honest and he did whatever his dad told him to do. Sam was a young boy and he went to war with his dad. He was brave. Sam's dad was a good example for their town and for the boys, because he always tried to fight for their rights for freedom. He also had good ideas on how to fight with the Red Coats to win the battle.

Impacts Of Settings:
This book took place about 250 years ago, before the Revolutionary War. This book took place in Lexington, Massachusetts, near Boston. Sam lived on a farm with his father and mother. At that time, the King of England was in charge of America, but the people in America didn't really like him.


Thematic Connection:
The theme of this book is that all people should fight for their freedoms no matter what their age. Sam fought for his beliefs even though he was very young. The older people in his village were a good example for him.

Recommendation:
I would recommend this book to people who are interested in how America became a country. This book would be good for 10-15 year old boys. This book should be good for them because its not too graphic, and it teaches you to fight for your rights.

[Cheryl]

Imo, not as lively, interesting, or nuanced as the companion, George the Drummer Boy. But if you're a homeschooling family, I guess they really do go together.

[Becky]

First sentence: About two hundred years ago a boy named Sam Brown lived with his parents on a farm in Lexington, Massachusetts, near Boston.

Premise/plot: This one is about the start of the American Revolution; it depicts the conflict between the British soldiers stationed in Boston and the American minutemen. Sam Brown is a boy who follows in his father’s footsteps fighting side by side with his dad. It is told from the perspective of youth and innocence.

My thoughts: This I Can Read book is illustrated by Arnold Lobel. That is initially what drew me to choosing this one from the library shelf. I enjoy history. Almost always have. The narrative is not super engaging from a modern perspective. It is a little dry. But the illustrations are classic Lobel. I am glad I read this one.

[Merman]

Sam lived with his mother and father in Boston. Early one morning, Sam heard bells ringing and when he looked out the window he saw men running. He asked his mother and father what was going on. His mother said “go back to bed” but his father said “no, come with me.” Sam and a small band of other men ended up fighting against the whole British army because it wasn’t fair that they weren’t their own country.
I was really interested while reading this book. I was worried about Sam because he got hurt but then he healed and I was relieved. I liked that this taught me a little about the Revolutionary War.
- E, age 8

[Alyssa Miller]

Read as part of the Mensa for Kids Excellence in Reading Program (K-3)

[Samantha]

This is a good book when teaching history...I don't think I would use it for a bedtime story though. Can you imagine? "And that was the beginning of the American Revolution....Good-night little Johnny, good-night little Suzie. What's wrong little Suzie? *little girl is shaking underneath blankets, looks up at you at manages to squeak: Mommy, are the lobster backs coming? Reply: No dear, we kicked the lobster backs out of our country. They won't be coming with their little muskets or bayonets anytime soon. Little Suzie: okay mommy...will you check my closet to be sure? Reply: of course little Suzie. {& little Johnny is laughing his butt off in his bed, but acting like he's asleep so it doesn't work and looks totally ridiculous}* .....haha Yeah, definitely NOT happening. But when July 4 rolls around, I can break out the ole book and teach my kids to be patriotic.....such a great future to look forward to. =)

[SamZ]

A great, beginning reader book that explains about the beginning of the revolutionary war. I especially liked the simple way the story covered injuries, fear, and young boys fighting without being super grisly and descriptive.

[Edward Sojuwa]

This tale is a tragic story based on the tragedy that was the American Revolutionary War, like all wars tragic in that even when we won, we lost. Sam is a small boy who makes himself join the side of liberty against the well meaning wishes of his mother and help the rebels fight the British Redcoat Army. Only when one of his friends gets a bullet wound in his leg can Sam know for sure that war costs dearly, and "revolutionary war" is a contradiction in terms.
For the record I feel good about being an American, but not what the term "American" means in terms of the stigma involved as far as relating to other countries superior to, yes, us. My personal feeling is that our freedoms have come from false teachings in our US History books, and the resulting prejudice, fearmongering and the last wars we've been involved in are testament to my theory that we are not the greatest country, never were. I still feel compassion for our military, that is: the people made by ad campaigns to fight for our country-- the people, not the government propaganda, and not the military mindset. I may not have seen actual combat, but I feel the weight of needless sacrifice in my heart, and I say this out of much respect and love. We may have "won" the battle for independence in 1776, but for what? A dumb piece of cloth supposingly representing the ideals of freedom and justice. Thanks to recent events, and you can guess which ones, the American Dream is just that: someone's dream...a dream still worth fighting for if you know how. Nathaniel Benchley writes Sam's story, knowing battle's cost, but not how to win it right. Hence, my low grade for this book, which matches my feelings. Maybe even yours.
Two stars
A Sam is misfired.

[Jordan]

Sam the Minuteman," by Nathaniel Benchley is a story about the the beginning of the war that started the American Revolution. I liked this book, but I thought it could have been more exciting. It would be good for kids because it introduces the American Revolution from a childs point of view, but it would be difficult to understand if there was no prior knowledge of the topic.
The illustrations are done by Arnold Lobel, and I think they could have been more creative with it. The pictures are bland and uninteresting - not likely to capture the attention of a child. They do compliment the story well, but I think they could have been better.

[Gunner]

I read Sam the Minuteman by Nathaniel Benchley.


Sam was a minuteman during the American Revolution Great Britain vs. Lexington, Massachusetts. He worked on a farm that Great Britain owned. Great Britain attacked Lexington,Massachusetts.Sam helped them fight vs Great Britten.


loved this book because it was about war.it helped me understand how deadly war was.Lastly they cared about who died.

I recommend this book to people who like war.This book is deadly but sad.If you enjoy books about war I recommend you will like this book.

[Rose Rosetree]

Impressive! This "I Can Read Level 3" book is a historical "novel."

Readers of all ages can reflect on what it would have been like for a young boy to fight in the Battle of Lexington, the historic battle that signalled the start of the American Revolution.

Here's the kind of historical detail that can start imaginations of young readers working:

Sam's mother worked indoors.
Everything they needed,
they had to make
or grow
or cook
for themselves.

This book has conflict, courage, and other ingredients of a thoroughly engaging story. FIVE STARS for sure.

[CTWard]

A good historical fiction for new readers. Provides an interesting perspective for the battle of Lexington and Concord (Revolutionary War) from the perspective of two young boys in the Minutemen ranks. Recommended reading age 6/7-10. The text is a bit complex in some areas, but constructed as simple, short sentences and does tell the story without difficultly. The illustrations are not graphic, but does convey emotion and the atmosphere of the situation very well.

[John Crippen]

Wow. Sam the Minutechild was there for the Shot Heard Round The World. Then he stayed up late with his dad and friends and shot at more Lobsterbacks. Thanks to Justin W. for insisting that this was the best book on the American Revolution, although I suspect his opinion was swayed by Nathaniel Benchley being the father of Peter “Jaws” Benchley...

[Checkthebook]

I liked all of these I-Can-Read books when I was young. They seem to have stood the test of time. The writing still sounds fresh, not "dated." This one is full of action and suspense! Good choice for grades 1-2.

[Charlotte]

I liked learning about the American Revolution and how America became a country of it's own. I didn't like reading about war and the fighting though.

[Meagan McDaniel]

Good book for an introduction to the American Revolution. Easy quick read.

[Anthony]

Sam Brown who lived on a farm in Lexington, Massachusetts finds himself fighting the British along side his father who is a minuteman during the American Revolution.

[Brooke]

Pretty good easy reader to help kids understand what it would've been like to be at the Revolution.

[Stevie Thomas]

Terribly sad...

[Emma McKenzie]

Sam the Minuteman is a good book but there's fighting in it that's the worst part. His friend gets shot in the leg and that's like the saddest part.

[Sunny Kim]

it is a good book and it actually happened.

[Danette]

1/29/20 Read with Julia

[Anna]

This is a simple read for a younger audience who is interested in the American Revolution. Sam seems like he is 10-12 years old.

[Gary Merrill]

One of the best classic historically oriented children's books out there.

[Mark Xiao]

When I was a kid I could read this in under a minute

[Sherrie]

An early reader book about the start of the American Revolution. It tells the story of a young boy named Sam who must overcome his fear of the British Redcoats to defend his country’s freedom.

[Leah Golden]

Great book for kids learning history, but at one point he directly disobeys his mother without a word.

[Nevaeh James]

This book is about a boy who joins the Minutemen to fight the British Red Coats. I would use this book to support a history lesson about the Revolutionary War.