My Brother Sam is Dead
Written by James and Lincoln Collier
Reviewed by Jeremy R. (age 10)
My Brother Sam is Dead is one of my favorite books. I think you should read it, because it is well written, has a great ending, and takes place during the revolutionary war. It all starts when Sam comes home from Yale University to tell his family that he has joined the Minute Men to fight on the Patriot's side in the American Revolution. The problem is, his father is a Tory, a loyalist to the king. The story is told by Tim, Sam's brother, who respects both Sam and his father. He's stuck in the middle while his father and Sam argue.
What will Tim do? This book is meaningful and it keeps you on the edge of your seat. I recommend it for anybody who likes a good war novel. It's 216 pages of a clever topic: the conflict that went on in families during our nation's greatest victory. Best of all, it is based on a true story. Each character has its side in the famous American debate. My favorite part was when Tim saw the reality of war for the first time. He realized that war wasn't as glorious as he thought, and in fact it hurt a lot of people.