AUTHOR CONNECTIONS:
At one time, Christopher Collier served as Connecticut's State Historian, and
actually lived in Redding, the novel's primary setting. James Lincoln Collier,
his brother, is a jazz musician, and has written over 500 published articles;
he resides in New York City. For decades the Colliers have collaborated on numerous
notable works of historical fiction for children. Utilizing deft characterization,
the Colliers' novels about the American Revolutionary War allows readers to understand
the opposing points of view that always accompany a conflict. In 1975 their My
Brother Sam is Dead garnered the Newbery Honor Award.
CURRICULAR CONNECTIONS:
 Have
students listen to the audiobook edition of Esther Forbes's JOHNNY TREMAIN, which
was first published as a book in 1943 and presents a highly idealized view of
the American Revolutionary War. Divide students into two groups and discuss the
extremely different perspectives that JOHNNY TREMAIN and MY BROTHER SAM IS DEAD
offer, articulating possible explanations that account for the differences. Examine
the political times in which MY BROTHER SAM IS DEAD for fodder for your discussion.
In an especially poignant scene, Tim Meeker witnesses the patriot slave Ned's
brutal murder at the hands of the British soldiers. Have students discover knowledge
about Crispus Attucks, the first person killed in the Boston Massacre on March
5, 1770, by listening to the Phillis Wheatley poem "Liberty and Peace" from the
Audio Bookshelf recording I TOO, SING AMERICA: Three Centuries of African American
Poetry UNABRIDGED AUDIO and book available from Audio Bookshelf.
Have
students prepare and eat Johnny Cakes, a tradtional colonial food item mentioned
in the book. To find a recipe, conduct research in the school library or use the
Internet.
For its livelihood, the Meeker family runs a tavern. Students will imagine they,
too, are tavern owners; have them design and create tavern menus that list food
items traditionally eaten during that time period.
Students
can create a "Big-Picture" Timeline of chronological events that happened in Connecticut
during the American Revolutionary War. Have student-drawn illustrations and brief
explanations accompany each of the important dates listed. Display the frieze
in the classroom.
Make a Venn diagram that compares and contrasts typical chores executed by a youngster
in 2000 with those chores Tim Meeker must perform; display the chart in the classroom.
INTERNET CONNECTIONS:
 Liberty!
The American Revolution
http://www.pbs.org/ktca/liberty/
An outstanding PBS Web site, chockful ofpertinent facts and information presented
in an attractive, engaging format.
Home
Page: American Memory from the Library of Congress
http://rs6.loc.gov/ammem/ammemhome.html
A superb Web site, geared for veteran Internet users; contains an immense storehouse
of knowledge ideal for teachers and their students; contains humerous collections
of primary sources and archival materials.
Carol
Hurst's Children's Literature Site
http://www.carolhurst.com/
An ideal, highly repected site for all educators who are serious about celebrating
notable trade books in their classrooms; includes bibliographies, suggested activities,
and book reviews.
FOR FURTHER
LISTENING AND READING:
  JOHNNY
TREMAIN by Esther Forbes; Early American History comes alive in this contemporary
classic set in Boston, Massachusetts. UNABRIDGED AUDIO and CD and book available
from Audio Bookshelf.
Jump
Ship to Freedom (Delacorte, 1981) by James Lincoln Collier & Christopher Collier
The Fighting Ground (HarperCollins, 1984) by Avi
War
Comes to Willy Freeman by (Delacorte, 1983) James Lincoln Collier & Christopher
Collier
Who
is Carrie? (Delacorte, 1984) by James Lincoln Collier & Christopher Collier
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