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The Fifth of March (by Ann Rinaldi)

common sense media says

So-so historical fiction mixed with romance.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this is a romance with the Boston Massacre as a backdrop.

Positive messages: Some minor characters speak disrespectfully of Crispus Attucks, the black man killed in the Boston Massacre. The main character defies authority to sneak out at night and visit a prisoner.
Violence: Mildly describes the Boston Massacre.
Sex: A few references to women being "in circumstances," meaning "pregnant." Matthew's sexual frustration is hinted at.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on The Fifth of March

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the heroine's conflicted loyalties. What does independence mean for Rachel?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Rachel works as an indentured servant to John and Abigail Adams in Boston during the early 1770s. She admires them greatly, but falls in love with Matthew, a British soldier who kills an American in the Boston Massacre. Rachel can't decide where her loyalties lie. Many kids will enjoy reading this, and they'll learn some history along the way.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Ann Rinaldi has been tempting teenagers to read romances and learn some real history for over a decade. THE FIFTH OF MARCH doesn't stand out as her best effort, but it's a useful book. Rinaldi often writes in sentence fragments. The deliberately choppy writing style slows the pace of the book, but Rachel's inner struggle for independence still holds many readers' attention.

Rinaldi devotes most of the book to Rachel's evolving thinking. Except for a few riots, the incidents culminating in the Boston Massacre don't occur until more than halfway into the story. Rachel, Boston, the Revolution, romance, and the concept of independence dominate the story. Rachel's movement toward her own liberty mirrors the evolution of the "plain Americans."

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Ann Rinaldi
Publisher: Harcourt Brace
Publication date: November 30, 1993
Number of pages: 333
Paperback price: $6.99

This review was written by Monica Wyatt
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

sunnysideup7685
teen, 16 years old
 
Best Historical Fiction
I had to read this book in fifth grade when we learned about the American Revolution. Ann Rinaldi, is a great author who transports her readers right into the heat and heart of the A.R. She uses real characters and events from history and mixes them with her own characters and plot. In this book she takes the story of Rachel Marsh a servant at John and Abagail Adams house and shows what it was like living in Boston, before and during the Boston Massacre. While Rinaldi is a good author she always adds things into her books that make them iffy for readers 13 and under. In this book the British soldiers use a few words. And while Rachel's romance with a British private Matthew Kilroy is not sexual or explicit in anyway. The feelings and ups and downs that Matthew and Rachel go through, young readers won't understand. Other than that I defenitely recommend this book, you'll want to reread and reread this book. Not to mention you'll never forget what happand during the Boston Massacre.

Poncho93
parent of 15 year old
 
The best book that I have ever read!!!
This is the best book that I have ever read!! Ann Rinaldi is an amazing author that paints a very realistic back drop for her heart felt writings. Yes there is a little bit of romance in this story but is very innocently done and the main character handles every romantic situation very maturely and respectfully. When I have a daughter I would be proud to have her handle the situations with boys in her life this way. and yes she does sneak out of the house a couple of times but when she is caught she admits to what she was doing, apologies for it then she faces the consequence in a very mature way. I hated reading before this book but it showed me that reading can be a very rewarding experience. (It does have a few words that the other solders use so I think that you should be 12 or 13 before you read it.)

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