Parents' Guide to

The Secret of Sarah Revere

By Monica Wyatt, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Decent historical fiction for fans.

Book Ann Rinaldi Historical Fiction 1995
The Secret of Sarah Revere Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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age 14+

Based on 2 parent reviews

joe B.
joe B. Parent of 11-year-old
February 23, 2023
age 18+

NOT AT ALL TRUE

As a child growing up in the 1700s i got to personally meet and befriend Sarah Revere, she is nothing like how she is described in the book in real life. My child had to read this book for history class, and i was majorly upset with her history teacher.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
1 person found this helpful.
drummer5
drummer5 Parent of 7 and 10-year-old
October 17, 2009
age 10+

for

My daughter's school library suggested this book for a class reading project. As a parent, I'm disappointed with the choice. The dialogue between characters is difficult for a ten year old reader. The writing stye and subject is also boring.
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Paul Revere gallops around the countryside on secret missions as his thirteen-year-old daughter, Sarah, tries to make sense of life and the American Revolution. Sarah adores family friend Dr. Joseph Warren but fears that he and her stepmother may be in love. Meanwhile, danger looms for all as the Revolution begins. Good historical fiction that Rinaldi fans will enjoy.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (5 ):

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.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about coming of age amid such dramatic events. How do the events of the Revolution influence the kind of woman Sarah is becoming?

Book Details

  • Author: Ann Rinaldi
  • Genre: Historical Fiction
  • Book type: Fiction
  • Publisher: Harcourt Brace
  • Publication date: November 1, 1995
  • Publisher's recommended age(s): 12 - 14
  • Number of pages: 320
  • Last updated: July 12, 2017

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