From School Library Journal
Gr 5 Up-Collier chronicles the life of a 12-year-old indentured servant, Richard, who lives in fear of his master, a tobacco farmer who beats him. He befriends a Weyanock boy who is also indentured to Mr. Laydon. When Richard discovers that the English have planned a corn raid on the Weyanock, he tells Weetoppin, who then slips off to warn his people. His conscience troubled, knowing that many people will be killed, Richard tells Mr. Laydon that the Indians know of the raid and when Mr. Laydon begins to beat him, the boy stands up to him. Weetoppin runs away and Richard begins planning for the day when he will be free. Character development is minimal, and history takes precedence over story. An Eye for an Eye tells the adventures of 14-year-old Samantha Byrd. When a Tory neighbor burns down the Byrds' tobacco shed, the Sons of Liberty seek revenge. Samantha, her twin brother, and her cousin sneak out to watch the proceedings and are caught in a hurricane. A search party is sent after them and Samantha's older brother Henry is captured and imprisoned on a British ship. Plagued with guilt, Samantha disguises herself as her twin brother and stows away on an American ship whose captain and crew plan to capture British ships and free American captives. When the American ship takes over a British vessel, Samantha accidentally shoots and wounds Henry. Chapters end in suspense and the action is steady. However, both books have the appearance of texts created for reading and language-arts classes.-Shawn Brommer, Southern Tier Library System, Painted Post, NY
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