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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
An intense and violent account of a boy during the outbreak of the Revolutionary War. And interesting take, because he is never on a battlefield. The story really illustrated how every day people are harmed and displaced far from the battles when a war breaks out.
Very well written. Violent and heart-wrenching. Lots of helpful good people and a happy (ish) ending.
Very well written. Violent and heart-wrenching. Lots of helpful good people and a happy (ish) ending.
I'm not a fan of Gary Paulsen in general, but I particularly disliked this book. The little sections of "history" were really annoying, the way he just threw them in there. Any attempt to really sink into the story was ruined by these interruptions. It also bothered me that he presented this information as fact, but did not cite any sources. The character development was also pretty lacking. Like many of Paulsen's other books, the main character is a boy who can survive in the wilderness, and that's pretty much all there is to him.
This was another book club read. While its categorically YA, the book covers some pretty heavy topics and themes throughout Samuel’s journey to save his parents.
The revolution through the eyes of a child is so interesting because it brings up how quickly these kids were forced to grow up, especially on the frontier. Samuel was essentially providing for both of his parents, which in turn saves his life multiple times while trying to find his parents after they were kidnapped.
The story was quick paced and easy to read, just probably not something I would have picked up for myself.
The revolution through the eyes of a child is so interesting because it brings up how quickly these kids were forced to grow up, especially on the frontier. Samuel was essentially providing for both of his parents, which in turn saves his life multiple times while trying to find his parents after they were kidnapped.
The story was quick paced and easy to read, just probably not something I would have picked up for myself.
I learned alot about the Revolutionary War that I never knew went on before, before I read this book. Anyone with a love for adventure, woodsy, and historical fiction books, will really enjoy woods runner.
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
informative
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was a solid book. My 12 year old liked it. It is violent, but so was the American Revolutionary period. I liked the main character, and we learned about how the war affected colonists on the frontier (something that typically isn't discussed in literature about the revolution.)
adventurous
dark
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Middle School Battle of the Books, 2017-2018
Paulsen met his goal of showing the brutality of war. Alternating chapters of fiction and nonfiction. I think the book would be better if read than listened to on audio.
Paulsen met his goal of showing the brutality of war. Alternating chapters of fiction and nonfiction. I think the book would be better if read than listened to on audio.
adventurous
dark
hopeful
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
How is this a children's book?