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Why Don't You Get a Horse, Sam Adams?
- By Jean Fritz
- Genre: Historical Fiction
Common Sense Media says
Fun story about quirky patriot's quest.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this fun account of Samuel Adams' quest for an independent America (his dog's antics almost steal the spotlight) has funny moments.
What's the story?
What could possibly get Samuel Adams, an avowed walker, on horseback? Nothing short of a revolution, of course! Read this amiable tale and learn how one man, his dog, and, yes, his horse figure into the fabric of the early days of America. A quick read, with lots of amusing illustrations.
Is it any good?
WHY DON'T YOU GET A HORSE, SAM ADAMS? delivers a clear history lesson about the events leading up to the American Revolution. Along the way, the author effectively describes Adams' personality and appearance. The author's two-page postscript provides background information on Adams' reasons for resenting England. The note sheds light on his political motivations, but it is a clumsy device and should have been incorporated into the main story, where it would have bolstered the slender text.
Instead, the illustrations add a welcome dimension to Adams' story. The drawings are mainly black and white, although some are shaded with brown tones. Small details enliven everyday scenes (a cat arching against a chair leg), and the facial expressions convey simple but strong emotion (the joy of a boy carrying the American flag).
What families can talk about
Families can talk about this humanizing portrait of Sam Adams. How is he different from some of the other heroes of the Revolution? How is he different from your idea of the Revolutionary heroes?
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| Author: | Jean Fritz |
| Illustrator: | Trina Schart Hyman |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Historical Fiction |
| Publisher: | Penguin Group |
| Publication date: | January 1, 1974 |
| Number of pages: | 48 |
| Paperback price: | $6.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 9 - 12 |
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