Customer Reviews

Winter Hero

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Winter Hero was narrated by Justin Conkey, a 13 year old boy who wants to be a hero. His father was killed in the Revolutionary War, and his sister's husband was a Revolutionary War hero. This story takes place after the Revolutionary War in 1787. Farmers were angry about the taxes the Boston government made them pay, so they started a war against the government. This war was called Shays' Rebellion. Even though Justin is too young to fight in a war he wants to become a hero. But will he become a hero?
This book was very inspirational to me because a boy my age wanted to fight in a man's war. Most kids his age in the United States today don't have as many responsibilities as Justin did then. I admire this character. The story was like a history lesson because I already knew about the Revolutionary War, but I didn't know about Shays' Rebellion. I strongly recommend The Winter Hero to people who like action, suspense, and history.

The Winter Hero is a excellent book! The authors, once again, did a great job making this story so interesting, yet informative about America's history. Many facts in this story are true, and the plot is great. I recommend this book to anyone who likes to read.

This is a delightful book of Shay's Rebellion. Personally, I knew very little about this period in history, but after reading this book I have gained a lot more knowledge-but not in a text-booky sort of way: it's interesting reading. This is a very exciting story about Justin Cooney who wants to become a hero. He missed his chance in the Revolutionary War, because of his age, but now, in Shay's Rebellion, he gets a second chance to become a hero.

Justin, the brother-in-law of Peter McColloch, a Revolutionary War hero, longs for his chance to be a hero. So when the local militia, plagued by huge taxes, takes arm against the state, Justin convinces Peter to let him join the other soldiers. During the war, Justin witnesses death and injury in its ugliest forms, and finds himself wishing he was home. However, he is determined to be a hero. After many battles ending in retreat, the farmers are ready for one last stand against the well-trained government troops. When the big battle comes, Justin is in the thick of it. Desperately trying to hold ground, Justin realizes that heroicness is nothing more than an accident occurring while trying to survive. When Peter is captured and sentenced to death, Justin and Peter's wife must work together to break him out of jail. One man escapes, but Peter is recaptured. Just as he is about to be hanged, the sheriff announces that Peter will be pardoned. The next year, measures are taken to keep the taxes low, and, thanks to Peter, Justin, and the others who participated in the rebellion, the people who live along River Valley are peaceable once more.

-- Tommy A.

There are always literary challenges in writing historical fiction, including keeping dates and facts true to history, as well as the use of specialized or archaic vocabulary and expressions--all of which create an aura of authenticity to the dialogue. The Collier brothers have mastered these skills for their novels, mostly set in New England. Despite having won the Revolutionary War in the previous decade farmers and common folk in MA are not able to enjoy the prosperity and freedom to pursue happiness before the Law--liberties for which they fought, bled and died. The General Court in Boston--filled with and backed by the wealthy River Gods--has taken the place of the British to levy unreasonable taxes and callously appropriate the property of small farmers and modest businessmen. There is little recourse for the common man, since most towns opted not to elect and support their own representatives in the legislature. The British are no longer the enemy but the oppression of wealthy landowner continues.

As the winter of 1787 approaches 14-year-old Justin is
sent to work off a debt incurred by his volatile brother-in-law, Peter, at the estate of Major Mattoon (Dutch surnames are prevalent in the Hudson River Valley). Eager to prove his manhood and value as a potential hero, Justin agrees to act as a spy to learn the plans of the agricultural robber barons--until he is entrapped by his suspicious employer and makes a violent escape.

Throughout a particularly bitter winter the young man is desperate to prove that he too can be a hero--not realizing that many times heroes turn out to be just ordinary people caught up in events, who do what comes naturally to save others regardless of risk to themselves. Insisting on joining General Daniel Shays' group of Regulators and lying about his age, Justin shuffles off across the fields, forests and valleys of MA and bordering states--toting his father's sword and ultimately acquiring real fire arms. But war, even in a raggle-taggle militia, proves brutal both to the body and the soul--putting friendship and political convictions to the test.

Justin comes of age during the long miseries of that wretched winter when the civil rebellion was put down, but was all the suffering worth it? What did the citizens (no longer "liege subjects") learn about Democracy and how to make it work effectively for the common weal? This book provides a good view of a lesser-known aspect of the road to federalization, when states
had to surrender some of their rights in order to forge a future nation.

The Winter Hero was narrated by Justin Conkey, a 13 year old boy who wants to be a hero. His father was killed in the Revolutionary War, and his sister's husband was a Revolutionary War hero. This story takes place after the Revolutionary War in 1787. Farmers were angry about the taxes the Boston government made them pay, so they started a war against the government. This war was called the Shays' Rebellion. Justin wants to fight in the war, but will he become a hero?

This book was very inspirational to me because a boy my age wanted to fight in a man's war.Most kids his age in the United States today don't have as many rasponsibilities as Justin did then. I admire this character. The story was like a history lasson because I already knew about the Revolutionary War, but I didn't know about Shays' Rebellion. I strongly recommend The Winter Hero to people who like action, suspense, and history.

"This book is a wonderful, educational book that I never set down. It is full of action and thrilling excitment! I truely enjoyed it!"

Great book by the Collier Brother's. Nuff said