The Boy in the Alamo

by Margaret Cousins, Nicholas Eggenhofer (Illustrator)

The classic story of the siege of the Alamo, as told for young readers. Originally published in 1958, thousands of children each year enjoy this story from the unique point of view of twelve-year old Billy Campbell.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Childrens, Young Adult, Adventure, American History, School, Middle Grade

Paperback

First published June 1, 1983

Reviews

[Erin Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was pretty standard for children's historical fiction in that it dropped a kid into the middle of a series of historical events so that they could interact with the heroes and tell the story through their eyes. It was well done, though. With a likable child narrator and a very well researched and thorough look at the Texas Revolution from the siege of the Alamo through Houston's win at San Jacinto, I recommend it for all young Texas history fans!

[Katie Brandt · Rating 1 out of 5]

Reading this book made me want to gag myself. It had bad descriptions, a thin plot, and poorly made characters.
I mean, a twelve year old going off to fight in the Alamo? That sounds unlikely. Thirteen would make more sense. Calling it a young adult book would be laughable, and calling it a children’s book would be pushing it off the edge. The writer should have intensified it for a young adult, or softened it for a child to read it. Sadly, it is in the middle.
The descriptions were few and in little words, but that isn’t surprising since it is considered a children’s book.
The plot is basic and yet so small. The book could’ve been better by making the plot more interesting and longer.
Characters written in this story are all a disappointment. They all have no personality and are just so basic.
I can’t say I’m surprised that this was a bad book. Just by reading the first chapter I knew I would hate it. The first chapter to a historical fiction should always be very interesting so the reader will keep reading. I wanted to put the book down and burn it when I read the first chapter.

[David Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book I read. I was in the 4th grade during the Texas Sesquintinneal. When I picked this book up my TV hours dropped and my first library card had to be replaced for excessive wear. I learnes the power of books, and have loved them ever since.

[Caleb]

the boy in the alamo-quick warning this review has some mild spoilers so be careful reading!-

The Boy and the Alamo Book Review
Caleb Spiers

My favorite character is Billy because he's brave and fearless and its cool to read about, but the commander wont let him do somethings but hes does it anyways which is cool to see him being a good soldier and kid.




I was surprised When Billy asked if he wanted to join the war because I wasn't expecting him to join something so risk taking and especially at his age its surprising to see a kid wanna join .

No I wouldn't change the ending because Billy risked his life to help the people multiple times which is a really brave thing to do and makes him more responsible and makes him a better man and will be a really good guy in the future.

[Brittney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this with my kids while they were studying Texas History. We loved it. It gave such a different perspective of the aspects of the events. Plus, it is more relatable for kids to read about it from a kid’s perspective than just facts put together in a textbook. While it is fiction, there are a lot of threads of truth that made my kids say “oh yeah…. We learned that…. Remember?” I love when those moments happen to reinforce learning. Would definitely recommend to anyone who understands that it is fiction but brings light to nonfiction events in Texas History in a different way.

[Noah Bohl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in preparation for a visit to the Alamo when I was a kid. It gave me a greater appreciation for the Alamo and the history behind it. In history class, this event is mentioned but unfortunately is largely overlooked. This book taught me much more about the history of this incredibly fascinating location than history class ever could.

[ETHAN KING · Rating 5 out of 5]

A meaningful book, I would recommend this among other war related books for boys ages 6+, and girls (maybe 8+ for girls, or even older simple because of interest)
Pretty graphic, this book conveyed the horrors of war in a concise way.
CONTENT: no language, or explicit content obviously. A little blood and violence, it in my opinion nothing a child can’t hear.

[Justin Powell · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a great historical fiction, but it drags a lot. I also am picky about war-style books because if the author isn't careful, the subplots all become the same thing until the book is over. I felt like this book was repeating page after page until the final resolution and ending.

[Bretton · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this book it was amazing my mom read it to me and and my sisters we finished it in 2 days

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic read for 4th Grade Texas History! It kept my students on the edge of their seats. It's an older book, but still very accessible for readers today.

[Wayne Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is 1836, and twelve, going on thirteen, year old William Harkness Campbell, who is usually called Billy but wants to be known as Will, lives in Nacogdoches, TX, with his seventeen year old brother Buck and their Uncle Todd Hunter, a blacksmith, and Aunt Elvira. Will and Buck’s Mamma had died of consumption, and their Papa had been killed fighting the Comanches. Against his uncle’s wishes, Buck decides to go with Colonel Davy Crockett and his men, who are passing through Nacogdoches and stop at Hunter’s Smithy on their way to help the Texian army which was holding the Alamo against General Santa Anna in their fight for independence from Mexico, and in the middle of the night, Will sneaks off to join them also. Of course, we all know what happened at the Alamo. But what will happen to Will and his brother Buck?

In this book, originally published as #18 of the wonderful “We Were There” series of historical fiction for young people, the classic story of the siege of the Alamo is told in such a way that it will come alive for young readers. Besides Crockett, other historical characters included in the account are Colonel William B. Travis, Colonel James Bowie, Captain Almaron Dickinson (whose wife Susannah and baby daughter Angelina survived), James Bonham, Lieutenant George C. Kimball, and Lieutenant John W. Smith, as well as General Sam Houston who was not at the Alamo. Of course, this book is about a battle during a war. There are references to shooting, killing, and dying. Small children and especially sensitive readers might not appreciate it, and anyone will probably get a little choked up at a couple of the scenes, but most students will find it an exciting adventure story. This is the kind of reading that I dearly loved when I was in upper elementary and junior high school.

A couple of references to smoking and chewing tobacco occur, and a couple of incidents in which Will wanted to “say bad words” and heard “bad language that…cannot be repeated” are found, but no actual cursing or profanity is used. The events and portrayals of famous characters are historically accurate, with some minor necessary liberties taken for the inclusion of a fictional twelve year old boy and his family, so the book gives a lot of good historical information about the battle of the Alamo. And it doesn’t stop there but goes on to discuss the subsequent battles for the independence of Texas, including Santa Anna’s final defeat at San Jacinto. Most young boys, and even many girls, will be able to identify with Will and his desires. And everyone can admire his bravery and determination. There was a Lt. Robert Campbell, born 1810 from Tennessee, listed among the casualties, but Buck says that he was born in Texas and his birth date would have been 1819. "Remember the Alamo!"

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this at the request of my 3rd grader, who had it for a book report. It seemed gory for a child to me, but any book on the Alamo is bound to be gory. It sounded like it had authentic history in it. My husband also read it after our child, and he calls it "well written." Our child says she "learned a lot by it."

[Michael Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was part of the We were there series. I loved this book as kid.

[Audrey Putney · Rating 2 out of 5]

kinda childish

[Crossroads Learning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historically accurate

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was what it was....a kid's perspective on what happened at the Alamo. Which basically means that she tells the story of the Alamo but leaves most of the gore out of it. The end.

[Dulci · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Battle of the Alamo through the eyes of a boy. I found this book very moving. These men had guts, no doubt about it.

[Amalia Perez · Rating 4 out of 5]

.

[Peyton Massey · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a really good book.Pretty action packed with some emotion

[Inspiration Station · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just went to San Antonio and toured the Alamo, so the history behind this really fascinated me.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked this. I learned so much.

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read for young kids.

[Madelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

At school we read this as a class. Really good.