3.5
Rebellion 1776
ByPublisher Description
Three starred reviews!
From New York Times bestselling author Laurie Halse Anderson comes an “thoroughly researched, emotionally resonant” (Booklist, starred review) historical fiction middle grade adventure about a girl struggling to survive amid a smallpox epidemic, the public’s fear of inoculation, and the seething Revolutionary War.
In the spring of 1776, thirteen-year-old Elsbeth Culpepper wakes to the sound of cannons. It’s the Siege of Boston, the Patriots’ massive drive to push the Loyalists out that turns the city into a chaotic war zone. Elsbeth’s father—her only living relative—has gone missing, leaving her alone and adrift in a broken town while desperately seeking employment to avoid the orphanage.
Just when things couldn’t feel worse, the smallpox epidemic sweeps across Boston. Now, Bostonians must fight for their lives against an invisible enemy in addition to the visible one. While a treatment is being frantically fine-tuned, thousands of people rush in from the countryside begging for inoculation. At the same time, others refuse protection, for the treatment is crude at best and at times more dangerous than the disease itself.
Elsbeth, who had smallpox as a small child and is now immune, finds work taking care of a large, wealthy family with discord of their own as they await a turn at inoculation, but as the epidemic and the revolution rage on, will she find her father?
From New York Times bestselling author Laurie Halse Anderson comes an “thoroughly researched, emotionally resonant” (Booklist, starred review) historical fiction middle grade adventure about a girl struggling to survive amid a smallpox epidemic, the public’s fear of inoculation, and the seething Revolutionary War.
In the spring of 1776, thirteen-year-old Elsbeth Culpepper wakes to the sound of cannons. It’s the Siege of Boston, the Patriots’ massive drive to push the Loyalists out that turns the city into a chaotic war zone. Elsbeth’s father—her only living relative—has gone missing, leaving her alone and adrift in a broken town while desperately seeking employment to avoid the orphanage.
Just when things couldn’t feel worse, the smallpox epidemic sweeps across Boston. Now, Bostonians must fight for their lives against an invisible enemy in addition to the visible one. While a treatment is being frantically fine-tuned, thousands of people rush in from the countryside begging for inoculation. At the same time, others refuse protection, for the treatment is crude at best and at times more dangerous than the disease itself.
Elsbeth, who had smallpox as a small child and is now immune, finds work taking care of a large, wealthy family with discord of their own as they await a turn at inoculation, but as the epidemic and the revolution rage on, will she find her father?
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Meet readers like you in the Fable For You feed, designed to build bookish communitiesRebellion 1776 Reviews
3.5
“It's 1776, and 13-year-old Elsbeth Culpepper lives in Boston with her father. They are the only surviving members of their family, after her mother and siblings pass away from smallpox. When her father goes missing, Elsbeth is left on her own. Having already been employed as a servant, Elsbeth finds a job with Mister Pike and his large family. Employed as a maid, Elsbeth is asked to care for the six Pike children and Hannah Sparhawk, a smart young girl the family is looking after to receive additional income. With the help of best friend Shubel, Elsbeth aims to search for her father while smallpox numbers rise and war is evident. Soon, it appears nothing can go Elsbeth's way. Shubel leaves, her father is still missing, and Missus Pike's housekeeper does all she can to make Elsbeth's life miserable. It's then that Elsbeth realizes she must be the one to find her father and save herself.
Elsbeth is the star of this story. So witty, strong, and always willing to do what's right, no matter the cost. I also love Laurie Halse Anderson's writing style, and that goes for this title too. Historical fiction fans will love this one. I just found the pace to be a bit slow at times.”
About Laurie Halse Anderson
Laurie Halse Anderson is a New York Times bestselling author known for tackling tough subjects with humor and sensitivity. She’s twice been a National Book Award finalist, for Chains and Speak; Chains also received the Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction. Laurie was chosen for the 2009 Margaret A. Edwards Award and received the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award in 2023, presented to her by the Crown Princess of Sweden. She lives in Pennsylvania, and you can follow her adventures on X @HalseAnderson or visit her at MadWomanintheForest.com.
Other books by Laurie Halse Anderson
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