Bibliographical information:

Schmidt, Gary D. Anson's Way. New York: Penguin, 1999.

Brief summary:

In the reign of King George II, Anson Granville Staplyton has enlisted as a drummer in the Staffordshire Fencibles, under the command of his father and as generations of his family have done before him. But when he arrives in Ireland, he is horrified by the brutality of colonial rule, and must decide how to act with honor.

Comments:

This is a well told story about a historical period little-known to most American children. Schmidt writes with eloquence and with sympathy, and represents honorable characters on both sides of the conflict.  Anson's attempt to reconcile his respect with his father with his distate for the occupation of Ireland is especially compelling.

Grade/Age level:

Grades 4-9

Cautions:

There's a substantial amount of violence in this book.

If you like this book, you might also like . . .

Schmidt, Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy.

--Lisa Gordis

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