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My
Brother Sam is Dead begins in April 1775 and ends in February
1779...a very volatile period of the American Revolution as
it was not clear which side would win the war. Many were either
still confused about the issues or unwilling to solidify a
position on the issues. As the story unfolds the consequences
of the war prove devastating to the Meeker family as the rebelliousness
of Tim’s brother, Sam, and the pacifist postion taken by Tim’s
father, Life, result in the ironic deaths of both, symbolizing
the atrocities and unfairness of war.
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My Brother Sam is Dead is
a historical fiction novel told in the first person by Tim
Meeker. It recounts the hardships endured by Tim and his family
during the early stages of the American Revolutionary War.
When Tim's older brother Sam joins the rebel forces, it greatly
impacts Tim's family who are Anglican Church members and wish
to avoid a war with England; a split with England would greatly
affect their religious interests.
Tim Meeker is a metaphoric
symbol of one third of the American population during the
war. He portrays the American that is uncertain which side
is right and does not wish to choose a side until forced to,
sometimes referred to as a "fence-sitter". Sam and Life are
examples of the other two thirds: the Rebel/Patriot and the
Tory/Loyalist.
Through Tim Meeker we learn
of the issues, the concerns and the conflicts of the rebellion
from a personal level. Each chapter touches on a number of
topics and issues that allow readers to see the war from the
position of those that lived through it. This is one of the
greatest strengths of the novel; it quietly weaves all of
the topics and issues of the early years of the American Revolution
into a tragic story of a 10 year old boy’s role in a war he
doesn't understand.
I believe the best way to
use this novel in the classroom is to explore the issues My
Brother Sam is Dead highlights. Each chapter is geared toward
giving us a better understanding of the hardships caused by
the American Revolution and the affect it had on individuals,
their families, their churches, their towns, their neighbors,
etc...and thus the novel can be a very powerful learning tool
if you are willing to look beyond the storyline.
The topics covered in this
book are important and well represented historically speaking.
Christopher Collier was Connecticut's State Historian for
a very long time, he knew the issues, the localities, the
facts. James Lincoln Collier wrote childrens stories, he knew
how to write in a way that captivated the attention of young
people. Between the two of them they were very talented. What
I love most about My Brother Sam is Dead is it's realism.
I was born and raised in Redding, Connecticut. I know it's
history well, and can tell you the Collier brothers wove an
amazing tale here and to help others better understand and
use this novel in their classrooms I have created this website.
Enjoy!
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Online
presentation about Redding
Ridge and My Brother Sam is Dead
Online
presentation about Putnam
Park and My Brother Sam is Dead
Online
presentation about Keeler
Tavern and My Brother Sam is Dead
All
my presentations for Redding
and My Brother Sam is Dead topics
My
Brother Sam is Dead Dropbox Account
Word Document
that explains what is at the Dropbox: My
Brother Sam is Dead Dropbox
Photo Examples of the Dropbox:
My Brother Sam is
Dead Dropbox
Please feel
free to email me with any questions @ bcolley@colleyweb.com.
Google
Map of Redding with information about My Brother Sam is Dead
Download a My
Brother Sam is Dead Parent Letter a
5th grade Teacher sends out to parents each year.
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Online My
Brother Sam is Dead Quizzes. Students can take this
online quiz to test their understanding of Chapter One. After
they take the test they can see how they did and enter their
email address to have the test results sent to them.
The
British Raid on Danbury: April
26, 1777 the British Raided Danbury, Connecticut.
Teaching Historical
Fiction
Google
Maps of Historical Voyages and Historical Events Amazing
online presentations that use My Brother Sam is Dead from
Carol LaRow.
Places
you can visit related to My Brother Sam is Dead.
Google
Map of Redding with information about My Brother Sam is Dead
added
Putnam
Memorial State Park-
Corner of Route 58 & 107 Redding, Connecticut
General Israel Putnam's division of the
Continental Army encamped in Redding in the winter of 1778-1779.
This is why Sam Meeker returns to Redding in the Winter
of 1779 in My Brother Sam is Dead.
View: Video
Tour of Putnam Park
Keeler
Tavern Museum-
132 Main Street
Ridgefield, Connecticut
The Keeler Tavern
Museum has been a farmhouse, tavern, stagecoach stop, post
office, hotel for travelers and a private residence. The
Meeker Family Tavern was very similar and thus Keeler Tavern
gives a glimpse at the way Tim, Sam, Life and Suzanne lived
and worked.
View: Video
Tour of Keeler Tavern
Compo
Beach-
Compo Beach Road
Westport, Connecticut
There is a daily
fee for non-residents, contact the town's Park and Recreation
Department at 203-341-5090 for fee schedule. The British
landed on this beach in 1777. From here they marched north
through Redding where they halted for several hours before
their attack on Danbury Connecticut's military depot.
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