The beginning of third grade can be a difficult transition for some readers. They’re not quite ready for chapter books, not because they can’t read them, but because what they can read doesn’t interest them at all. While the rest of the class is tearing through Junie B. Jones and Magic Tree House, they stumble along trying to find something that works for them. They often will express that they can’t find anything they like, in that fatalistic tone that makes parents despair that their children will never become readers. The Secret Soldier has been my secret weapon, capturing the interest and attention of girls who just haven’t caught the reading bug. My only disappointment is that I don’t often have an appropriate follow up.
This is a beginning chapter book, the sentences are clear and easy to understand. The chapters themselves are of a manageable length. But the message of the book is in no way diluted by the simplicity of the text. McGovern lays out what life was like for girls at the time of the revolution. She explains how few choices they had and how much of their lives were dictated by others. But what is truly special about this book is that Deborah Sampson, the secret soldier in question, really existed. In a time period where women’s rights were incredibly limited, Sampson found a way to be who she wanted to be, to fight along side men, to see America and eventually, to earn a living by telling her tale. It’s a great story, simply told and has relevance for today’s girls.
Great for: An amazing female role model. This will also open doors to reading biographies of other strong women.
Sex, Nudity, Dating – A woman has a baby on the way. Deborah gets married and has children. She binds her chest with cloth to appear as a male.
Profanity – None.
Death, Violence and Gore – Her father died. Soldiers drill and hide guns and powder. An illustration (not sure if all versions have illustrations) shows a man who has been shot, others show men with guns. Another close relative dies. Deborah saw men shot, watched them die, heard them cry in pain. She is shot several times herself and removes a bullet from her own leg. She takes care of a dying man and buries him when he does die. People get sick and die. She falls ill. Deborah slips into a coma.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking –A man comes to see her drunk on rum. She watches men drink. She is given wine by a doctor.
Frightening or Intense Things – Children are sent away to live with relatives or strangers when their parents are too poor. Some are contracted to work as servants for a period of 10 years.
