The author's research, and her attention to the details of history, serve readers well, while the common struggles of adolescence strike familiar chords. Despite sometimes awkward writing, this is one of Rinaldi's better efforts, and it keeps readers interested in the emotions of the character while stimulating interest in the historical period.

Rinaldi gives us abundant details of revolutionary Boston. Sarah learns the name of the man who hung the "lanthorns" in the Old North Church on the night of Revere's most famous ride. She describes the difficulties Revere experienced in getting out of Boston for other journeys to distant cities. Readers learn of spying among the patriots and the loyalists until it is difficult for either side to know whom to trust.

Readers also see Revere as a kind and loving father to his many children, and learn that along with his silversmith business he practiced dentistry and printed money for the patriots. But even as she clears up some myths about Revere, Rinaldi creates a few by portraying Revere's mother and oldest daughter as rather nasty characters. In her afterword she informs her readers that she really has no information about their personalities, but the strong impression of the two maligned women may linger in the minds of young readers.

Rinaldi's The Fifth of March portrays Boston a few years earlier. Reading these two books first may help teenagers better appreciate Esther Forbes's Johnny Tremain, which would make a good companion to this book, as long as it isn't forced on the reader.