45 pages • 1 hour read
240
Novel • Fiction
Redding, Connecticut • 1770s
1974
Middle grade
12-14 years
770L
My Brother Sam Is Dead by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier is set during the American Revolutionary War and follows Tim Meeker, a young boy whose family is torn apart when his brother, Sam, joins the Patriot forces. Tim grapples with loyalty and the harsh realities of war as his family faces severe hardships. The novel explores the impact of war on family dynamics and personal growth. The story contains scenes of violence and death in war.
Melancholic
Challenging
Emotional
Dark
Suspenseful
20,371 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
My Brother Sam Is Dead by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier is widely praised for its realistic portrayal of the American Revolutionary War and complex characters, especially in depicting a family's divided loyalties. However, some critics find its graphic content and slow pacing unsuitable for younger readers. Overall, it’s a compelling yet controversial historical novel.
Readers who enjoy historical fiction like Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes or The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare will appreciate My Brother Sam Is Dead by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier. Ideal for middle school students, it combines a gripping narrative with Revolutionary War settings and themes of loyalty and conflict.
20,371 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
240
Novel • Fiction
Redding, Connecticut • 1770s
1974
Middle grade
12-14 years
770L
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