For young readers eager to explore history through adventure and unexpected friendships, this novel plunges into the thrilling, tumultuous world of the American Revolution.
A parent might reach for this book when their teen enjoys action and adventure but finds history textbooks dull. It is a perfect choice for illustrating that people on opposite sides of a conflict are more alike than they are different. This novel follows two 16 year old American patriot boys and a 16 year old British 'camp follower' girl during the pivotal Saratoga campaign of the Revolutionary War. After a battle, the boys find the girl, Molly, alone in the woods. Though they are enemies, they agree to help her find her father. The story masterfully weaves together themes of bravery, unexpected friendship, and budding romance against a backdrop of historical conflict. It's a compelling read for teens aged 14 and up that makes history feel immediate, personal, and deeply human.
Main and secondary characters are killed in battle or due to the hardships of war.
Romantic ContentMild
A budding romance between two main characters, includes emotional closeness and some affection.
Mild PerilModerate
Characters face constant danger from combat, the wilderness, and enemy encounters.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly with the violence and death inherent in war. Descriptions of battles, injuries, and death are realistic for the time period and not metaphorical. The approach is secular, focusing on the historical and personal aspects of the conflict. The resolution offers personal hope for the main characters' relationships, but it is set against the realistic and somber backdrop of the ongoing war, acknowledging the losses suffered on both sides.
Ideal Reader
The ideal reader is a teen, aged 14 to 17, who enjoys historical fiction that prioritizes character and adventure over dry facts. It is perfect for a reader who liked 'The Hunger Games' for its survival elements but is ready for a more historically grounded story with similar themes of moral complexity and alliances formed under pressure.
Parent Prep
Parents should be aware of the realistic depictions of 18th century combat. Scenes of battle include descriptions of musket and cannon fire, injuries, and death. No significant contextual setup is needed to read the book cold, as the narrative provides the necessary historical background. A conversation about the different motivations of Patriots and Loyalists could enrich the reading experience. A parent might seek this book after their teen complains that history is boring or irrelevant. It serves as an excellent 'gateway' book to show how exciting, emotional, and character-driven history can be, moving it from the textbook to a lived experience.
Age Experience
A younger reader (14-15) will likely be captivated by the survival adventure, the suspense of their journey, and the 'Romeo and Juliet' aspect of the romance. An older teen (16-18) will more deeply appreciate the historical context, the nuanced exploration of empathy for an enemy, and the moral ambiguity of wartime allegiances.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many Revolutionary War novels that focus solely on the Patriot cause, this book's primary differentiator is its commitment to a dual perspective. By creating a central, sympathetic character on the British side and fostering a romance across enemy lines, it powerfully humanizes the conflict and challenges simplistic notions of 'good guys' and 'bad guys'.
Read plot summary
In 1777, two 16 year old Massachusetts farm boys, Danny and Tim, join the Continental Army to help stop a British invasion from Canada. After the brutal Battle of Bennington, they encounter Molly, a British camp follower of the same age who has been separated from her light infantryman father. Despite being on opposing sides, they form a pact to help her find him. As they travel through the dangerous wilderness towards the battlefields of Saratoga, a tentative friendship and then a romance blossoms between Molly and Danny. The story culminates in the decisive Battles of Saratoga, where the characters' loyalties and relationships are tested, and they come face to face with the human cost of war.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Molly and the boys start out as enemies. What specific moment do you think was the turning point in their relationship, where they began to trust each other?
2
How does seeing the war from both Molly's (British side) and the boys' (American side) perspectives change your understanding of the conflict?
3
Danny and Molly develop romantic feelings despite being on opposite sides of a war. Do you think their relationship would have been possible in a different setting? Why or why not?
4
Consider the term 'camp follower'. Before reading, what did you think that meant? How did Molly's character challenge or confirm your expectations about the roles of women and girls during the war?
