For Liberty: The Story of the Boston Massacre [Hardcover]

Timothy Decker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2009 | Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

A gripping account of the Boston Massacre, illustrated in a graphic-fiction style. 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.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5–8—The Boston Massacre is given a dramatic illustrated treatment here. Background about the political situation in England, especially its battles with France and need for capital from the American colonies, sets the stage. British soldiers are introduced individually almost as players in a theatrical production while tensions in Boston build to the climactic confrontation between the soldiers guarding the Custom House and the townspeople. Although Crispus Attucks is not mentioned by name, a man who appears to be African American is shown as a shooting victim. The black-and-white, pen-and-ink, cross-hatched art is done in a graphic-novel style but without panels or speech bubbles. All the faces are similar and blank, with slits as eyes, which distances readers somewhat from the events. The book is presented as nonfiction and John Adams is quoted directly, but no sources are listed. The ending is a bit abrupt. John Adams defends the British soldiers at their trial, then contemplates "a troubled future." Still, 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.—Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA END

Review

This handsomely designed picture book begins the story of the Boston Massacre by filling in the background: Britain taxing its North American colonies; Bostonians showing their displeasure through boycotts and riots. Then the text turns to the night of March 5, 1770, when an unruly mob threatened a small group of British soldiers, who, in the end, fired on the colonists. The book concludes with the soldiers' trial and their lawyer, John Adams, reflecting on the protection of liberty. There is no back matter and some elements of fact are conveyed only through the illustrations (readers can infer that five soldiers died because five coffins are pictured), but the book does quite a good job of conveying how the actions and emotions of those on both sides escalated toward violence and death. Using parallel lines, crosshatching, and other texturing effects, the black-and-white drawings hold attention, particularly in the larger, more dramatic scenes. A fine, balanced look at an important event. --Booklist

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 trials. Along with casting a grim tone over all, his dark, crowded illustrations capture the incident's confusion and also add details to the narrative. --Kirkus Reviews

During the 1770s, it was not popular to be a soldier living in Boston. A group called the Sons of Liberty was angry about the taxes imposed on them. Decker tells the story of one particular soldier named Private White, who is harassed by angry locals. This harassment leads to a riot in the streets known as the Boston Massacre. Younger students will gain an understanding of the Boston Massacre by reading this illustrated book. Decker uses strong vocabulary to bring this historical event to life. The graphic style illustrations are b&w and have a grainy texture. Many of the characters in the pictures lack emotion except when there is a rise in the action. These changes in expression add to the seriousness of the event. This book could be used as a read-aloud for younger students learning about the Boston Massacre or for research done by upper elementary or middle school students. 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

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Front Street Press (September 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590786084
• ISBN-13: 978-1590786086
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 10.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #654,479 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars For liberty... but I have questions, December 28, 2009

By 

Lisa S. Bircher (Columbiana, OH USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: For Liberty: The Story of the Boston Massacre (Hardcover)

For Liberty tells the story of the events leading up to, and a detailed account of the Boston Massacre of 1770. The book is mostly focused on the night of the tragedy but it ends with implications for other events to occur between the British and the Sons of Liberty as they struggled for freedom from the crown. The black and white drawings are done in a way to incorporate multiple perspectives. I really enjoy how Timothy Decker has captured snapshots of what it must have been like in the terrifying moments of this important historic event.

The story itself is told in a very compelling fashion. The problem is that some of the details are not very clear to a reader. When I received this book from the publisher, it is marked appropriate for children ages 9-11. I wonder if a child this age will understand the story. One of the problems I had on first reading was in understanding who the British were versus the colonists. Although it becomes clearer the further the reader goes in the text, it is not clear at first. Furthermore, I am not sure what some of the images portray earlier in the text. On one early page, the picture shows (a soldier?) strung up in a tree and a mob with torches. A young reader may ask, what do these images mean?

It may have helped if the author had included a foreword or an afterword to explain some of these things. Early American history can be challenging for youngsters to understand and some unexplained images make the task more difficult. Finally, some of the language may not be appropriate for young readers. Several words used that may not be a part of the vocabulary of 9-11 year olds used in the text are: bellicose, ruffians, branded and vigilant. Although it is important to introduce new words in text, if not understood by context, much of the meaning of the text is left unknown.

5.0 out of 5 stars Decker Does It Again!, November 19, 2009

By 

Melody Murray (Gresham, OR USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: For Liberty: The Story of the Boston Massacre (Hardcover)

In For Liberty Decker brings his wondrous eye to The Colonies in 1770. He's working in what feels like a larger format here, but on closer reflection is actually more of a zoomed in scale. His drawing is deceptively simple, and one can revisit his panels at length and be richly rewarded. The story itself is a familiar one to most of us, but is told here succinctly and with an underlying passion. The loving and lingering examination of the soldiers' uniforms is delightful, and the sudden switch to an aerial view is a beautiful underlining of the narrative. I've only been through it two or three times- I'm sure there is much more to see.