Synopses & Reviews
By March 5, 1770, it was dangerous to be a soldier in Boston. Colonial businessmen opposed the taxes imposed by Great Britain. The Sons of Liberty ruled the city through boycotts and riots. British troops were sent to protect lives and property. On that late winter day, a British private found himself harassed by street toughs. Then up from the docks came sailors and ruffians armed with clubs and cutlasses. Soldiers from the British 29th Regiment of Foot came to disperse the mob. Threats made, stones thrown, then ... gunfire. In spare, gripping language, author-illustrator Timothy Decker describes the tense, violent confrontation between Boston's angry colonists and soldiers, as well as the legal aftermath that underscored the rule of law.
Review
"In a few lines of terse prose illustrated with densely hatched black-and-white pictures. Decker lays out the causes of the tension between Bostonians and British troops, and then delivers a blow-by-blow account of events on that March night and the ensuing trails."--Kirkus Reviews
Review
"Dark, crowded illustrations capture the incident's confusion and also add details to the narrative." --Kirkus Reviews
Review
"Readers will gain a true sense of the violence of this time period. Teachers may use the book to set the stage for an upcoming unit on the Revolutionary War." --Library Media Connection
Review
"The book would be an intriguing addition to classroom discussion about the causes of the rebellion and how ordinary people became caught up in the conflict." --School Library Journal
Synopsis
In spare, gripping language, author-illustrator Decker describes the tense, violent confrontation between Boston's angry colonists and British soldiers as well as the legal aftermath that underscored the rule of law.
About the Author
Timothy Decker graduated from Kutztown University with a BFA degree in Fine Art and a concentration in drawing. He then spent several years engaged in large format and landscape photography. This pursuit led to world travel and various exhibitions. In 2004 he began teaching creative writing to young adults, at which time he wrote The Letter Home, his first book. He lives in Jersey City, New Jersey.