For Liberty: The Story of the Boston Massacre
written and illustrated by Timothy Decker, 2009, Asheville, North Carolina: Front Street Press. (9781590786086).
Media: pen and ink
Awards and Honors:
2009 Cybil Nominated title for Non Fiction (MG/YA)
Author/Illustrator Website: http://timothydecker.com/
Annotation: A stark, graphic novel style account of the Boston Massacre, one most significant events in the lead up to the Revolutionary War.
Personal Reaction: Author and illustrator Timothy Decker builds this story of the Boston Massacre slowly in deliberate, measured prose, while his austere pen and ink drawings capture the drama and tension of the storyline. There's much lying beneath the surface in this deceptively simple book. Decker is economical with his words and images, yet he still manages to pack a wealth of historical detail into the story. Background on the political situation in the colonies and Great Britain is given at the beginning of the story and Decker concludes with the subsquent trial of the soldiers. This book presents a balanced account of a very dramatic chapter in United States history. Black and white illustrations complement the gravity of the historical event. For Liberty is different than many historical picture books in that there is no back matter such as a timeline or bibliography, but this book would make an excellent addition to any lesson on the Boston Massacre.
Personal Reaction: Author and illustrator Timothy Decker builds this story of the Boston Massacre slowly in deliberate, measured prose, while his austere pen and ink drawings capture the drama and tension of the storyline. There's much lying beneath the surface in this deceptively simple book. Decker is economical with his words and images, yet he still manages to pack a wealth of historical detail into the story. Background on the political situation in the colonies and Great Britain is given at the beginning of the story and Decker concludes with the subsquent trial of the soldiers. This book presents a balanced account of a very dramatic chapter in United States history. Black and white illustrations complement the gravity of the historical event. For Liberty is different than many historical picture books in that there is no back matter such as a timeline or bibliography, but this book would make an excellent addition to any lesson on the Boston Massacre.
Use of Onomatopoeia:
"Bells pealed throughout the city."
"They could hear the growing din as the talked."
"The throng of colonists grew as did the roar of their cries."
"The bells continued to ring as if signaling the new tragedy."
Use of Sophisticated Language:
"Quarter no fiendish soldiers in your homes. Welcome no ill bred thieves to your hearth. Protect your liberties in this doleful and dark time."
"...soldiers quartered in a populous town, will always occasion two mobs where they prevent one. They are wretched conservators of the peace."
Use of Rhythm/Repetition:
"The mob swelled.
The reasonable men went home.
The bellicose remained."
"Surely the mob would not assault a trained soldier.
Surely his men would not fire for fear of shooting their officer.
Certainly a show of force would dissolve the anger."
Curricular Connection:
5th Grade History/ Social Studies, California State Board of Education Standards
5.5 Students explain the causes of the American Revolution. 1. Understand how political, religious, and economic ideas and interests brought about the Revolution (e.g., resistance to imperial policy, the Stamp Act, the Townshend Acts, taxes on tea, Coercive Acts).
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