I Survived the American Revolution, 1776 by Lauren Tarshis

Part of the popular I Survived Series, I Survived the American Revolution, 1776 is a lively introduction to what the Revolutionary War might have been like for one young boy.

I Survived the American Revolution, 1776 by Lauren Tarshis. Scholastic, 2017. 144 pages.

• Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-12
• Recommended For: Ages 8 and up

Eleven-year-old Nate was on the run from his abusive Uncle Storch. And all because he’d taken the blame for a young 2-year-old’s childish antics. Nate had grown up at sea with his father until his father washed overboard in a terrible storm; his mother was long since dead. An orphan, Nate was dependent on his rich uncle’s charity, but he was treated little better than a servant. His closest friend was an enslaved woman named Eliza and her son Theo. And now, he was on the run in an effort to protect that young boy.

Nate managed to stowaway on a ship and eventually ended up in New York. Wow! What a city! But what Nate didn’t know was that a big battle was about to commence. Streets were deserted. American soldiers were everywhere. Suddenly, a canon boomed and everyone fled the docks. Nate ends up in a soldier’s camp, reunited with an old shipmate of his father’s named Paul.

Barely a day ago, Nate had been running for his life. And now here he was with his oldest friend in the world. He was going to be part of George Washington’s army.

Fun and Informative Historical Fiction

The I Survived Series is full of action and adventure, but Tarshis also packs in amazing amounts of historical information along the way. Nate’s story opens readers’ eyes to the grit and glory of a few weeks during 1776, when Americans and Brits fought one another desperately. Historical details slip in easily (such as the scarcity of forks!), but Tarshis also manages to introduce other issues as well. For instance, Nate ponders the incongruity of the words of the Declaration of Independence (“all men are created equal”) with his observations of the treatment of slaves.

Good historical fiction uses key figures and historical events as lenses through which to learn about history. And that is just what Tarshis does. George Washington is a prominent name, but he is not the main character. We learn about him through Nate’s experiences. Similarly, readers get a juicy taste of war through a couple of battles, not a long account of each battle during the war. For young readers, this is an effective entry point into a complicated part of American history. They will connect with Nate, the young protagonist, and they will come away wanting to learn more. Tarshis includes thorough notes in the back, detailing her research and fleshing out some of the issues; she does an excellent job of walking the line between lauding American heroes and not flinching away from their complicity in areas like slavery. She also provides a lengthy bibliography for those wanting to search out more.

Considerations:

• Language: One “good Lord” in an intense moment.
• Violence: This story takes place during a war; bloodshed, violence, and other gruesome scenes are recounted, but most readers will be fine.

Bottom Line: I Survived the American Revolution, 1776 is a lively introduction to what the Revolutionary War might have been like for one young boy.

Recommended Reading at Redeemed Reader

• Book Review: I Survived True Stories by the same author; these real-life dramas will provide great flashlight reading for kids!
• Book Review: We’ve also reviewed I Survived the Attacks of September 11, 2001
• Resource: Series Fiction for Tweens and Teens: a book list full of more fun series for kids!

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