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Parents' Guide to

Why Don't You Get a Horse, Sam Adams?

By Tanya Smith, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

Fun story about quirky patriot's quest.

Book Jean Fritz Historical Fiction 1974
Why Don't You Get a Horse, Sam Adams? Poster Image

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

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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?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (2 ):

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).

Talk to Your Kids 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?

Book Details

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