Feb18
Sam the Minuteman
Just one book to mention for Read Aloud Thursday this week: Sam the Minuteman, by Nathaniel Benchley, illustrated by Arnold Lobel.
I picked it up from the library last week in connection with history, but the cover didn’t appeal to Older Daughter. When she finally read it, she changed her tune and wanted me to read it aloud too because she liked it so much. Then Younger Daughter resisted. It looked like an uninteresting chapter book to her. But after we finally read it, she wanted it repeated several more times. It’s unanimous; I really liked it too.
This bit of historical fiction is not a chapter book. It’s about a little boy, 8 or 9 or so, whose father is a minuteman in Lexington, Massachusetts. One night his father is summoned and takes Sam with him. The next morning Sam is involved in the first skirmish of the American Revolution. It strikes just the right balance of suspense and adventure, and conveys a young boy’s frame of mind pitch-perfectly. The illustrations are wonderfully interesting and detailed and have Arnold Lobel’s characteristic warmth.
We’ve read some other books this week too, but I’m being stern with myself and choosing just one. Check out Hope Is the Word for what others are reading!
5 Comments »Children's books, Parenting/Education
This does sound good, Janet. Lulu has just begun reading the 1st stage (or Beginner or Early) I Can Read books for herself, and I’ve been surprised at how good they actually are.
I’ll have to keep this one in mind for future Revolutionary War discussions.
Thanks for playing!
I remember this book! I loved it when I was younger! Definitely a winner.
I think we read this when my boys were younger, and they enjoyed it, too.
I have lurked for a long time, but Sam the Minuteman has drawn me into the (comment) light! This was one of Andrew’s favorite books–we read and re-read and re-read until, of course, we all had it memorized. He was dressed up like Sam for a Halloween that year–when he was six, I think. I do love keeping up with you on your blog. Email me sometime!
Sarah
So great to hear from you, Sarah! I had no idea you were “lurking.”
A minuteman for Halloween: how perfect. I was so glad we stumbled upon this story.