Gillian ChanCritiques

Review posted on October 16, 2012 at http://canlitforlittlecanadians.blogspot.ca/2012/10/a-call-to-battle-war-of-1812...

This entire series is a wonderful way to learn history or teach it to adolescents. I find today's generations seem to recall more when they learn through other people (pop songs, celebrity gossip, etc.), so what better way to teach history than through someone else's perspective? Yes, "authentic" diaries would be "better", but would the language really hold the modern student's attention? Did the diary writer know what WOULD be important in the context of history? Probably not.

This entire series is a wonderful way to learn history or teach it to adolescents. I find today's generations seem to recall more when they learn through other people (pop songs, celebrity gossip, etc.), so what better way to teach history than through someone else's perspective? Yes, "authentic" diaries would be "better", but would the language really hold the modern student's attention? Did the diary writer know what WOULD be important in the context of history? Probably not.

The Good Stuff

This series is fabulous for bringing history to life in a way that will have meaning to the suggested reading level
Story feels so real that you believe this was an actual boy who lived through the War of 1812
Very impressed with the incredible amount of research that went into this &it is very unbiased, especially from a Canadian author, about a war that there is still so much controversy about which side won. (yup I am totally going with the Due South Version - Benton Fraser: ...which makes the border between Canada and the United States the longest undefended border in the world. So that since their formation, our countries have found a peaceful way to coexist. Except for the War of 1812, where your country invaded ours and we sent you packing - but that's hardly worth mentioning)
Heartbreaking - I won't lie I cried
Good commentary about the horrors of war done in a not so in your face sort of way that ticks of the kids
Makes learning history interesting and relevant to the intended reading audience (these kids are in the same age range and living quite a different life than the youth of today)
Fabulous for middle school grades to learn about history in a way which is so much more interesting than just having to memorize dates and facts. Canadian history is in fact fascinating - don't let those dull history teachers make you think otherwise

The Not So Good Stuff

More jaded kids may notice that they are being taught a history lesson disguised as a book
Quite harsh & realistic may upset sensitive younger readers (not a bad thing -- just a heads up that you might want to discuss it with your child)

Favorite Quotes/Passages

He looked upward. "Is it always going to be the province of the young to be so foolhardy and brave."

"Abell was one of our enemies, enemies I hated with my heart. Yet he was just a boy like me. I shuddered when I thought that. I could see so many similarities between us. I sank down again and rested my back against the tree, unsure what to do next."

"I could not stop the tears that came then. I bawled like a baby, not caring if my howling drew the enemy to me. I cried for Abell and his Abigail. I cried for myself. I cried for Angus and Father. I cried for shattered dreams of glory and adventure that had ended with a bloody, broken boy in a wood. I cried for oblivion and was granted it, for I fell into the arms of exhaustion and slept."



Who Should/Shouldn't Read

Fabulous for grade school history classes - teachers, this may get your kids interested in learning more
Might be a challenge for sensitive younger readers to deal with - it can be harsh reading at times
Passing this on to Jake to read next

4.25 Dewey's



I received this from Scholastic in exchange for an honest review

Very well done historical fiction with a supernatural twist.

I admire the way Gillian Chan evokes the Family Compact in a few sentences, and without even naming it, makes clear the social injustices that were to lead to the Upper Canada Rebellion of 1837, a few years after the events in this book.

This is just one example of her handling of historical facts and the depth of knowledge behind the book.

compelling fantasy reading. Good one!!