The Secret of Sarah Revere (by Ann Rinaldi)

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

She gives abundant details of revolutionary Boston, describing Revere's difficulties getting out of Boston for other journeys to distant cities and discussing spying among patriots and loyalists. Readers see Revere as a kind and loving father and learn that he also practiced dentistry and printed money for the patriots. But Rinaldi portrays his mother and oldest daughter as rather nasty characters. In her afterword she notes 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.