Common Sense Media Review
Teen boy chooses sides in dramatic Revolutionary War tale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
When 14-year-old Daniel West is forced to choose between allegiance to England and support of the rebellious American colonists, he makes a stunning public declaration that goes beyond mere words. Travel back to a volatile time when political conflicts raged throughout the colonies, where one boy's brush with danger changes his life's course forever.
Is It Any Good?
As in other Jean Fritz books, the historical details in EARLY THUNDER are authentic, and overall the book is absorbing and dramatic. Unlike most of Fritz's books, however, its tone is generally serious. The title refers to the specter of war looming over the colonies in 1775: Daniel must decide whether he's a Tory, like his father, or a Whig, like his peers.
Embedded in this solid history lesson is a poignant and timeless coming-of-age story. Like many children today, Daniel is a small boy with big burdens. Daniel takes a significant step toward adulthood in the book's climax, in which he fights heroically to save the town's boat, engaging in hand-to-hand combat with a British soldier.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about rebellion. In siding with the rebellious colonists, Daniel rejects his Tory upbringing. Have you ever taken a position on a major issue that's very different from your parents' point of view? Was it difficult to reach that decision?
What's fun about reading historical fiction? Why do you think it's so popular?
What did you learn about the American Revolution in Early Thunder that you didn't know?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Historical Fiction
- Topics : Adventures , History
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Penguin Group
- Publication date : January 1, 2000
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 9 - 12
- Number of pages : 255
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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