Early Thunder [Paperback]

Jean Fritz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1987 | Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

"Events rapidly transpiring in Salem, Massachusetts in 1774-1775 force 14-year-old Daniel West to re-examine his loyalties, and finally, to change from Tory to Whig."--School Library Journal 15 black-and-white halftone illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

"The question I am most often asked," Jean Fritz says, "is how do I find my ideas? The answer is: I don't. Ideas find me. A character in history will suddenly step right out of the past and demand a book. Generally people don't bother to speak to me unless there's a good chance that I'll take them on." Throughout almost four decades of writing about history, Jean Fritz has taken on plenty of people, starting with George Washington in The Cabin Faced West (1958). Since then, her refreshingly informal historical biographies for children have been widely acclaimed as "unconventional," "good-humored," "witty," "irrepressible," and "extraordinary."

In her role as biographer, Jean Fritz attempts to uncover the adventures and personalities behind each character she researches. "Once my character and I have reached an understanding," she explains, "then I begin the detective work--reading old books, old letters, old newspapers, and visiting the places where my subject lived. Often I turn up surprises and of course I pass these on." It is her penchant for making distant historical figures seem real that brings the characters to life and makes the biographies entertaining, informative, and filled with natural child appeal.

An original and lively thinker, as well as an inspiration to children and adults, Jean Fritz is undeniably a master of her craft. She was awarded the Regina Medal by the Catholic Library Association, presented with the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award by the American Library Association for her "substantial and lasting contribution to children's literature," and honored with the Knickerbocker Award for Juvenile Literature, which was presented by the New York State Library Association for her body of work.

copyright ? 2000 by Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (October 1, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140322590
• ISBN-13: 978-0140322590
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #503,847 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #22 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( F ) > Fritz, Jean

More About the Author

"The question I am most often asked," Jean Fritz says, "is how do I find my ideas? The answer is: I don't. Ideas find me. A character in history will suddenly step right out of the past and demand a book. Generally people don't bother to speak to me unless there's a good chance that I'll take them on." Throughout almost four decades of writing about history, Jean Fritz has taken on plenty of people, starting with George Washington in The Cabin Faced West (1958). Since then, her refreshingly informal historical biographies for children have been widely acclaimed as "unconventional," "good-humored," "witty," "irrepressible," and "extraordinary."In her role as biographer, Jean Fritz attempts to uncover the adventures and personalities behind each character she researches. "Once my character and I have reached an understanding," she explains, "then I begin the detective work--reading old books, old letters, old newspapers, and visiting the places where my subject lived. Often I turn up surprises and of course I pass these on." It is her penchant for making distant historical figures seem real that brings the characters to life and makes the biographies entertaining, informative, and filled with natural child appeal.An original and lively thinker, as well as an inspiration to children and adults, Jean Fritz is undeniably a master of her craft. She was awarded the Regina Medal by the Catholic Library Association, presented with the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award by the American Library Association for her "substantial and lasting contribution to children's literature," and honored with the Knickerbocker Award for Juvenile Literature, which was presented by the New York State Library Association for her body of work.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars It's okay, but I wouldn't recommend it., December 8, 2002

By 

"wishkres" (Pennsylvania, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Early Thunder (Paperback)

Early Thunder is about a boy, Daniel West, who is caught in the middle of the battle between Tories and Whigs during the American Revolution. It wasn't the best book I ever read, and as another reviewer mentioned, it has a slow start. The book is mostly centered on Daniel's personal conflict, so if you are looking for action, you won't find it here.

Besides that, the book was okay. I guess I am a little miffed because I have to do a project on the book (LOL), but I wouldn't recommend it. People interested in the ordinary people of the Revolutionary War might enjoy this book, so don't let my opinion stop you! A friend of mine read the book and throughly enjoyed it.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Early Thunder, Book Review By Me, March 8, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Early Thunder (Hardcover)

Early Thunder is a book about a boy grwoing up right before the Revoloutionary War. He is a Tory, which means that he supports the King and British rule.
Daniel West, a 13-year-old boy, is a loyal Tory with a father who happens to be a doctor. He has a little sister and brother, and a best friend named Beckett Foote.
Daniel watches as the events that lead to the American Revololution take place. He questions his loyalty to the King, and in the end, shows whom he supports loud and clear.
I would recommend this book to people who are interested in The American Revolution. If you aren't, you probabaly will be after reading this book. It has a lot of historical facts and places, plus some not so important events. If you combine these, you have a very cool historical fiction book.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars LONG UNDESCRIPTIVE BOOK, November 6, 2003

By 

"klotzishere20" (WI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Early Thunder (Hardcover)

I thought the book moved very, very slowly. I like action, adventure, and/or survival books. This was not any. I don't read much and this is the kind of book that makes me not want to read. I read the back, looked at the cover, and thought it had to be one of those. I thought Daniel would run into trouble more than he did. I thought there would be more action and excitement. The book isn't even a good for telling you what it was like in the 1800's. The book didn't go into enough detail in anything (except that new governor.) I would suggest pick it up from the library, and if you really do like it then buy it.