I wish it was possible to give less than one star, or even negative stars. This book was just that bad. For one thing, the title? I mean, seriously? It gives away what happens in the book. I am not even going to mark this post for spoilers because the title already does that for you. I have never liked historical, but when we read this book for English class, I was so scarred I was afraid to even touch another book of the same genre.To start off with, Tim, the main character, is a tiresome boy who looks to his obviously flawed brother like he hung the sun. I would accuse Tim of dating Sam, but apparently they are exes seeing as Sam ran away from home to join the army fighting against what his family belives in (what a way to show loyalty to your family, Sam).Then, nothing happens in the book for a long time. And when I say a long time, I mean A LONG time! Long enough so I wanted to grab the audio player that was reading the book to us and break it. Long enough as to where I counted the seconds till class was out. Long enough to make my class doodle, shuffle their feet, tap their pens, and hum while not paying attention. We start getting some action when Tim and his father set off to Verplanks point, apparently seeing the looming threat of cowboys as not important (really men, really? You are a loyalist riding through very progressive coutry-surely nothing is going to go bad there). And, soon enough, something bad did happen. Tim's father is captured, and then the cowboys come for Tim. Tim, exhausting what I fear was his last braincell, concocts a lie about how they are expecting escorts, and they leave Tim alone.After the cowboy incident, nothing happens for a while and then we find out that Life-Tim's dad- is dead. The ironic part is that he said exactly what killed him would kill his son (if anyone is curious, he contracted cholera on a prison ship). By now, Tim is conflicted as to what side he is on after seeing the torries shoot a good man. He decides he won't be on a side! Gee, what clever thinking Tim! Then, after a series of events so dull I almost fell asleep on my desk, Tim's brother Sam comes home, sneaks off duty to see his family, chases away come cattle theives, but fearing for their own safety, the cattle thieves beat Sam up and accuse him of stealing the cattle.Sam is shot because he is suspected of cattle theivery. His brother Sam aint living anymore. What a disappointing way to end the book! Being accused of being a cattle theif isnt exactly the heroic way that you would want to go.Well, whatever. I cried at that point, not because I was sad about Sam dying, because I was so happy this book was done with.Please, I beg of you all, never read this book.
A terrible, brilliant historical novel about the reality of war on the homefront, how it disrupts and destroys families and how it forces young people to grow up quickly. Tim, the narrator, is 13, the son of a tavern owner in Connecticut, when the American Revolution begins."So there were a lot of changes in our lives, but the biggest was the one that was happening inside myself. Ever since I had got the wagon home by myself I hadn't felt like a boy anymore. You don't think that things really happen overnight, but this one did. Of course I was dead tired when I went to bed that night, and Mother let me sleep late in the morning. And when I woke up I was different. I noticed it first at breakfast. Usually I sat there over my porridge moaning to myself about the chores I had to do or having to go to school or something, and trying to think of some way to get out of whatever it was. Or when Mother turned her head I'd scoop up a fingerful of molasses from the jar and stir it into my milk. Or I'd eat breakfast slowly so I could stall off going to work."But that morning after the terrible trip home, right from the first moment we got finished saying grace, I began planning the things I had to do - which things had to be done first and what was the best way to get them done. It was funny: it didn't even cross my mind to stall or try to get out of the work. I didn't wait for Mother to tell me what to do: I brought the subject up myself. ...."We discussed it all, and about half way through breakfast I began to realize that I had changed. I wasn't acting my usual self, I was acting more like a grownup. You couldn't say that I was really an adult, but I wasn't a child anymore, that was certain. I thought about showing off in front of [my older brother:] Sam when he came home. I'd say things like, 'Well, Sam, we've decided not to put in oats this year, we're going to use the space for corn.' Or, 'We're not keeping the kitchen fire going all the time - I haven't got enough time for woodcutting as it is.' I would be the one who knew about things, not him." pp. 132-133
What do You think about My Brother Sam Is Dead (2005)?
The book "My Brother Sam is Dead" is a historical fiction set in the time of the American Revolution. This book leads you through the struggles and hardships Tim and his family faced. This book was very beneficial to me because it not only helps you understand how life was like at that time, but it also gives you another perspective of how people felt. In other words, this book shows you the other's opinions at the time(it gives more relatable information than a textbook). The story also talks about the conditions the American soldiers or "Patriots" went through while they served for their country. This book is heart-felt, strong-willed, and inspiring; I highly recommend this book.
—Laney Wilbert
Okay, I have to admit my teacher forced me to read this book and I don't really like historical books , but I read a couple parts and they were very alive to me like I could actually see it happening. I think people who really like the american revolution should consider reading then book! The most intersting part to me was when they actually killed Sam I know that sounds bad but it was really realistic to me like i could see it happening while I was reading the book. People who who like the American Revolution or history books in general should check out this book!
—Autumn Hargrove
This book is about a guy who's brother, Sam, is dead. Wait, he's not dead yet. He dies on the very last page of the book. Another title for this book could very be something along the lines of "My Brother Sam is in the Army and he's not Coming Home Until He Dies." That just about sums the book up. This book doesn't really have a plot. It's really about a guy (who's name I can't remember) who's brother goes off to fight in the army. After that, the guy talks to Sam's old girlfriend, gets his fath
—Adam
