Customer Reviews

The Matchlock Gun

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

This book is currently being criticized for its negative, stereotypical depiction of Native Americans. The forward explained that the characters were real people. The Van Alstyne family actually lived and experienced the story's events. Teunis and Gertrude, the mother and father of Trudy and Edward, trekked from Holland, to England, and finally to America to be free. The year was 1757, when Native Americans were aiding the French in the French and Indian War.

Edward is the small boy whose actions during an attack on their home by St. Francis Indians provide the central action. The matchlock gun is a huge antique that rests above the fireplace. It has a trumpet-like barrel like a blunderbuss and is too big for Edward to pick up. Before Teunis goes out on a military foray, he shows Edward how to prop up the gun on the table and light it in the event of an Indian attack.

Sure enough, Indians attack while Teunis is gone. Gertrude is outside at the time and runs for the house in a pre-arranged scheme of defense. When she gains the porch she screams "Ateoord!," ("Edward!") the cue for Edward to light the gun. He does, but not in time to save his mother from being tomahawked in the shoulder. The gun blasts and kills the three Indians.

I believe the criticism of this book is unwarranted, especially since it relates a true story of adult men attempting to murder a woman and two children in their home. I regard true events as immune to political correctness. In addition to this, it offers a fascinating account of a period in American history that is usually overlooked. To those who would remove this excellently written book from public library shelves, I say you are then supporting censorship, promoting anti-intellectual freedom, and deciding for others what you would have them read. Let this book remain on the shelves for others to decide. A well written book deserves an audience. People (even children, if given the chance) are intelligent enough to know when views are from another time, and can glean the good from a classic book like "The Matchlock Gun".

"The Matchlock Gun," by Walter D. Edmonds, features illustrations by Paul Lantz. The copyright page notes that this book was originally published in 1941. The entire book is about 80 pages long; the main text is 62 pages long and is divided into ten chapters. In his foreword Edmonds establishes the setting of the book: the French and Indian War in colonial America. The tale looks at the war's impact on the Van Alstyne family: husband Teunis, wife Gertrude, 10-year old son Edward, and 6-year old daughter Trudy. Teunis, "a true Dutchman," is a militia captain. The tale's first chapter establishes Edward's fascination with the gun of the title, a massive Spanish weapon that hangs over the mantel.

Edmonds has crafted a simple but suspenseful tale of life in what one character calls "the wild America" during wartime. He appeals to the senses with vivid details such as the smell from butter churning. The book also gives a glimpse into his characters' domestic and social lives. Despite its short length, this is a rich text that touches on such themes as advancing weapons technology, the Dutch cultural presence in colonial America, and--most importantly--the impact of war upon families. Edward is an appealing young hero. A short author bio at the end of the book notes that Edmonds was born in upper New York State and that in 1942 this book received the Newbery Medal.

Winner of the 1942 John Newbery Medal for most significant contribution to children's literature, "The Matchlock Gun" is one of the shortest--yet one of the most memorable--of all the Newbery Medal books. I've read every one of the Newbery books from 1922 through 2000, and this little story made a big impression on me. The novel covers but a day in the life of a very young boy who is left at home with the huge responsibility of safeguarding his family in the absence of his father.

SYNOPSIS: Edward ("Ateoord" in the story) Van Alstyne's father, Teunis, is a captain in the Guilderland militia and leaves the family overnight to defend their small community outside Albany City, NY against the French and Indians. The militia is unable to hold the Indians at the bridge, however, and five Indians reach the Van Alstyne farm.

Gertrude (Edward's mother) has the foresight to rig up her grandfather's heavy, awkward Spanish matchlock gun through a hole in the window shutter and acts as a decoy, picking beans in the garden, until the Indians reach the house. Edward must then defend his wounded mother and protect his family with the huge, ungainly weapon.

IMPRESSIONS: Today it is quite seldom that extremely young children must bear adult responsibilities in the face of such danger. Historical fiction like this is compelling reading; "The Matchlock Gun" is a very brief but well-written story which should interest any young reader.

I had a difficult time locating this book, even though it is a Newberry Winner. Why? Because it depicts Indians in a historically correct manner. There are historically correct stories that depict Indians favorably, such as The Courage of Sarah Noble. Then, there is this story depicting the Indian raids that did occur during the time of the settlers. Let's hope that we are mature enough to face history - the way it is - not in the glossy versions that try to erase the variables in character that exist in every race.

I havent researched as to whether or not The Matchlock Gun is a challenged book because it might not be PC, but putting that aside for a moment, this is was one of my all time favorite books as a kid. I still remember our teacher reading a little bit of it each day....and not being able to wait for the next day to hear more.

Its part of historical fact that Native American tribes were allied with the French against the American colonists. Why should this be a reason to NOT like this book? What would YOU do if you were a little boy left alone with his mother and sister and was responsible for protecting them against the possible home invasion by your enemy. This has NOTHING to do with the plight of Native Americans. There WAS a war going on, after all, and the Natives Americans had much the same status as the Hessians during the Revolutionary War.

Its a terrific story. Take it as such....and enjoy it as I did. I didnt turn out being predjudiced against Native Americans as a result. I just loved the story.

This is a small book for children about a true incident in upper New York State in 1756. A young father, Teunis Van Alstyne, has to leave his farm to go with the militia to fight Indians in the French and Indian War. He leaves an old Spanish gun with his ten-year-old son Edward to protect Edward's mother and his little sister. Will edward be able to handle the gun that is bigger than he is? This book won the 1942 Newbery Medal for best contribution to American children's literature.

The incredible story of a boy deffending is family while his father is away! I read it in the seconed garde and still haven't forgotten!

Set in Dutch Colonial NY State, this tale of homespun courage is gently paced for young readers, with accurate, historical detailing of life during the French and Indian War. When Father departs with the local militia, only young Edward is left to defend the family's humble farm and log cabin. His farsighted mother helps him position and load an old Spanish matchlock gun--just in case the Indians get through. But could a woman and two children survive an attack by Native Americans bent on murder, arson and revenge? What scene of devatation will await their father upon his return to the family homestead? Based on a true story of Dutch/American bravery, this short book is enhanced by Paul Lantz' vivid B/W and color illustrations. The theme--the inborn desire of people to be free to follow their own dreams and pursue happiness in their own way--reflects America's proud heritage of goal-setting and physical hardship in order to carve one's own path out of the wilderness.

The story of this book is about how the courage and bravery of a mother and her young son saves the lives of their family from an indian attack. We get a view of exactly how it was in the 1700's. There are not many stories out there for children or adults that tell it like it was. But this is one of them! The pictures in the book are excellent also, giving pretty good detail of the story as you read along.

The story is wonderful for young children because it tells about an obedient boy who followed the instructions of his mother and father implicitly. Note as you read, that he never touched the gun without his father or mother's command. What a lesson to teach young children! Although he was afraid, he had to be brave to survive in the times in which they lived. His obedience saved the lives of his mother and sister, and his own. On top of that, the setting is in the home of a loving family.

Concerning the savages,exactly who was attacking whom? Were the people to just sit back and let it happen? Let me further add this..there is nothing wrong with loving and defending your own.
Highly recommended with Five stars!

Great book for boys. The 1940's pencil art is a welcome. The criticism of this book is unwarranted, especially since it relates a true story of adult men attempting to murder a woman and two children in their home. The political correctness "we know better than you...for you" crowd doesn't seem to care about these facts. They just focus on skin color. Who's racist again?? True events are immune to political correctness. Liberal revisionist "historians" are gaining ground in changing what kind of history is being taught. This book can help paint a picture of for kids on early America and self-reliance.
If it was up to the one-star reviews of this book.....America would have never happened. They wouldn't lasted a day in the early West.