The Fifth of March, by Ann Rinaldi - March's Read

[Charmaine]

I chose this book from one of our previous polls. I think this one is especially fitting since the Boston massacre took place in March :-)

[QNPoohBear]

This is one of my all time favorite YA novels. I loved it when I was a teen and I still love it. It's a must read before going to Boston. I usually take it on the trail or read it before I go. I have yet to go to the old state house for the reenactment because it's TOO DARN COLD.

I love how Ann Rinaldi makes the world of colonial Boston come to life. Even having been to Boston on the Freedom Trail many times, Boston has changed a lot since then. Ann Rinaldi's Boston is MY Boston and when I visit, I tend to start talking about the people and events in the novels like they actually happened.

She references the Rodney King riots in the Author's note. That's probably not a frame of reference for teens today but you can look at the Boston mob as terrorists because truly that's what they were. This novel makes you look a little differently at the so-called Patriots. We're always taught to believe that the colonists were good guys minding their own business when the evil redcoats opened fire, but that wasn't the case. The novel illustrates how mob behavior gets out of hand and how the real story is more complicated.

I like Rachel a lot and how she grows up and learns to make her own decisions about what she thinks is right. She's an interesting character in a difficult situation. She's a minor a female and poor; three strikes against her in society. She has to struggle to make her own way in the world. I loved the little hint of romance that appears in this book and felt sorry for Becca that she didn't get her happily ever after, yet the historian side of me is glad that Ann Rinaldi stuck to the known facts and made her story more realistic. The mystery of her background is interesting.

The Adams family really come to life and the research that went into this book really shows whenever they're on page. It's better than the HBO mini series John Adams. I'll always think of John Quincy Adams as "Johnny" from the novel and never will I forget that they had a baby who died during this time.

All of Ann Rinaldi's older books are great but I suggest pairing this one with The Secret of Sarah Revere. I carry that one around Boston like a guide book!

[Cristal (Professional Book Procrastinator)]

This is on sale on Amazon for $1.99 Kindle edition. Today only!

[QNPoohBear]

I still have my original paperback copy on the keeper shelf. I'll have to pull it out and see if it's still in one piece.

[Tara ♪]

Qnpoohbear wrote: "This is one of my all time favorite YA novels. I loved it when I was a teen and I still love it. It's a must read before going to Boston. I usually take it on the trail or read it before I go. I ha..."

I think you describe the book perfectly. I like how Ann Rinaldi doesn't always give a picture perfect ending. I really loved this book. :)

[Charmaine]

Tara ♪ wrote: "Qnpoohbear wrote: "This is one of my all time favorite YA novels. I loved it when I was a teen and I still love it. It's a must read before going to Boston. I usually take it on the trail or read i..."

definitely realistic with those endings :-)