1776: Son of Liberty, Young Founders 3

by Elizabeth Massie

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…” On his farm in Maryland, sixteen-year-old Caleb Jacobson hears rumors of an armed rebellioni of the Massachusetts colonists against he oppressive tyranny of King George III and his soliders. Educated in a small Quaker school, Caleb has been taught that it is wrong to raise one's hand against another. Yet Caleb is a free black living in a slave colony. He knows firsthand the horrors and hardships of slavery and wonders what good an American victory will do if his fellow blacks - including his best friend Gaddi - remain shackled in bondage. Then comes news that the British Governor Lord Dunmore promises freedom to any slave who joins his army against the Americans. Can he be trusted to keep his work? Or should Caleb support the colonists' fight in hope of a better future for his people? Caleb will have to choose."

Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Fiction

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Elizabeth (Beth) Massie is a 2-time Bram Stoker Award and Scribe Award-winning author of horror/suspense, historical fiction, media tie-ins, nonfiction, and short fiction for adults. She also writes novels for teens and middle grade readers. Her series, Ameri-Scares, is currently in development for television by Warner Horizon (Warner Brothers), LuckyChap, and Assemble Media. Stay tuned! She lives in the Shenandoah Valley with her husband, illustrator Cortney Skinner.

Reviews

[Tuqa El-Tokhey · Rating 2 out of 5]

A story that could've been written in 20 pages but written in 200 instead.

[Haili H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Son of Liberty, by Elizabeth Massie: I really enjoyed this book. It was empowering and interesting! The main characters name is Caleb Jacobson, who is a slave. As a young boy the slave masters wife taught Caleb the letters to the alphabet. Caleb would wright and practice them everyday. Later when he was 16 years old Caleb was a free African American living in a slave colony with others. They were living fine until he was hearing people talking about King George III and his soldiers, and Massachusetts having an armed rebellion. Caleb is always thinking so he was wondering what that will do for him and the African Americans who were still slaves. And sure enough Lord Dunmore, the British governor. Said that if any of the slaves will fight with them against the Americans they promised they will free them. Caleb wonders if he will keep the promise. Or should he fight for a better furutre for the country if he fights with the Americans. My favorite part was kind of sad but powerful to me. Chapter 14: "my carelessness has brought about the death of my mother. I have let it happen, God forgive me! I have never felt such agony, and wonder if I will ever be happy again..." I recomend the book Son of Liberty to people who like historical fiction, and people who enjoy empowering books/ stories.

[Mario Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was about the American Revolution. This slave starts to learn how to write. The genre is history. My opinion was that the book was amazing.

This slave was starting to write. Two black men emerged from the barn, one carrying a struggling multicolored rooster and the other bearing three dead, bloodied roosters, their necks swinging, their dead little eyes dulled. Caleb starting seeing British boats coming to America. Caleb joins the Patriots to fight the British and win.

The 1st person point of view affects the story because it shows how Caleb told his story about the time he was in war against the British. The structure of this books adds to how people were in the war like Caleb.

I was angry when the British came to attack the Americans and take over their land. My favorite part was when Caleb was telling George Washington's soldiers where not to go and if they could tolerate it.


I rate the book 5 out of 5 because the authors word choice was quite interesting. I would recommend any person who wants to learn more about the American Revolution . This kid named Caleb wrote a book of what happened during his experience in the American Revolutionary War

[The Third Place A Teen Library]

F MAS yf 1776

[amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

And a half
Not for my classroom library