My Brother Sam is Dead

Collier, James Lincoln and Christopher Collier. My Brother Sam is Dead. Simon & Schuster, 1974. ISBN-10:0-02-722980-7


Plot Summary
Tim, his parents and his older brother Sam run a tavern in Redding CT, on the eve of the Revolutionary War. Although most of the town are Tories, Sam, who has been away at college has taken up the rebel uniform. While Sam is away fighting, Tim is at home trying to balance his respect for his loyalist father and his admiration for his adventurous older brother. As the war continues, it gets harder and harder for the family to stock the tavern. Soldiers from both sides stop in for food and a place to sleep but only one side's currency will be worth anything when the war is over. Some of the locals settle their bills with cattle rather than cash, but cattle at at risk of being stolen, either by roving bandits or one of the armies. When Tim's father is taken captive by bandits, Tim and his mother must run the tavern alone. At the end of the war, Sam is dead, but it's not a heroic death and Tim doesn't know how the family will continue.

Critical evaluation
Well researched and well written, this piece of historical fiction is a modern classic. While the title of the book suggests heroic battle, akin to the Red Badge of Courage, the truth is much less glamorous. All throughout the book, readers will wonder when Sam dies. In fact, as a soldier, Sam's death is almost expected. Instead, readers are surprised and hurt by the other deaths in the story. My Brother Sam is Dead tells the story of the Revolutionary War from a new perspective that is less glorifying and more realistic. The book includes a well written historical note.


Information About the Author
James Lincoln Collier is a children's book author who lives in New York City. He co-wrote My Brother Sam is Dead with his brother Christopher Collier, who is a professor of history at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut. His specialty is the Revolutionary War.

Genre
Historical fiction

Curriculum Ties
Revolutionary War, War

Booktalking Ideas
Quote the scene where Tim fools the cattle thieves.

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 5-8

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
none

Why Book Included
Newberry Honor Book