The Invasion of Sandy Bay

by Anita Sanchez

A young boy plays a key role when the War of 1812 comes to his Massachusetts coastal fishing village. The little town of Sandy Bay, Massachusetts, was the site of one of the wildest invasions in U.S. history, when the might of the British Empire came up against hardheaded New England townsfolk. The Invasion of Sandy Bay, based on eyewitness accounts of actual events, tells the tale—through the eyes of a twelve-year-old boy—of what happened on the night when the British put too much gunpowder in one of their cannons. The hilarious—and true—events of the topsy-turvy invasion are set against the backdrop of the dangerous lives of the fishermen. Includes author's notes and bibliography.

The warship took shape in the gloom, slowing to a glide as the flapping sails were furled with a rattle and clatter. The tops of the great masts were hidden in the fog. Gilded carving decorated the frigate's bow and stern, just visible through the streamers of mist, and Lemuel spelled out the curving gold letters of her Nymph. —FROM THE BOOK

Genres: Fiction, Historical, Adventure

148 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[QNPoohBear · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twelve-year-old Lemuel Brooks has only recently moved to the small fishing village of Sandy Bay, Massachusetts after his father's untimely death. His mother runs the local tavern and puts Lemuel to work every chance she gets. Lemuel would rather join the fishermen but he doesn't know how to row or fish or do anything right, according to the local men. While out learning how to fish with veteran fisherman Bill Tarr, the old man and boy are captured by a British frigate- a war ship! The British captain demands the man help steer the ship into the cove without crashing into the breakers-OR ELSE! Lemuel is terrified but excited. Who notices a small boy? This could be his chance to prove to everyone that he's as patriotic and capable as anyone else! What happens next will surprise Lemuel and the reader.

This story is based on a little known incident during the War of 1812, America's forgotten war. I am certainly familiar with the War of 1812 but not this incident that occured in my native New England. I couldn't put the book down wondering what was going to happen. Some of the adventures seem a little preposterous to be true but some of those incidents actually did happen. The author admits to taking liberties and filling in the blanks in the historical record. She includes an author's note, historical note and lengthy bibliography. I really enjoyed this story and it makes me want to visit Rockport to learn more about the town's history.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read out loud.

[Charlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The jacket touts this book as "The hilarious-and-true events" of the British invasion of the small fishing village of Sandy Bay. I doubt that young readers will see hilarity in this book, but they will find adventure. Lemuel has only recently arrived in Sandy Bay from the farm and he is still a square peg in a round hole. In the invasion, he is at various times at odds with his mother, the townspeople, the Gloucester militia, the British mariners, and the Reverend Appleton because he is at all times involved in the action.

Sanchez has taken an unfamiliar skirmish during the War of 1812--a war often given just a glance in history class--and used fictional characters to bring a lively adventure to young readers. Notes at the end separate the fact from the fiction and tell of the sources for the book.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Lemuel is getting his first fishing lesson, he catches something far bigger than he could have imagined- a British frigate. The British ship sails into Lemuel's town, and launches a landing party that destroys the town's fort. A second party is later captured by the townspeople. However Lemuel can't leave well enough alone and gets wrapped up in the exchange of prisoners...
Based a true event in the War of 1812.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book! I don't think the kids will pick it up and read it, unfortunately, but it's awesome for a read-aloud for an American history class. It's based on a true story of a blundered invasion that happened during the War of 1812 in Massachusetts. The British invasion party accidently sank their barge, and the Americans in the fort were all asleep! It's a good way to have kids see the human side of this often-overlooked war.

[Wally · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book -real historical event turned into solid fiction, although that's not going to make kids run over and pick it up. Still, it was a fun quick read.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a hard time getting into this story. The historical note at the end did a great job of separating fact from fiction and provided a good bibliography.

[James Dutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun, funny look at history. Perfect for school libraries--a good way to get students interested in history.

[CRLS]

War of 1812, Rockport MA