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Title of Book: Native Son, American Patriot Series #2 Native Son, American Patriot Series #2
[General] Washington countered, “When you joined the army you gave up the rights that belong to the common man and submitted yourself to the command of your superiors.” “And if we marry in spite of your objection?” “Then I will have no choice but to revoke your commission.” “Sir! You force me to choose between the love that alone makes life worth living and my honor!” Excerpt from Native Son I read Daughter of Liberty a year ago and thought J. M. Hochstetler brought American history to life in that book. I hoped at the time she’d write a novel about every major battle in the American Revolution. I got my wish in Native Son, but not quite the way I expected. I’d heard of the battles of Lexington and Concord, though I knew precious little about them. In Native Son, Hochstetler examines a little known aspect of the Revolution by following our hero Jon to the west. We think of the Revolution being fought in Boston and along the east coast, but there was trouble in the west too, with the English, the Indians, and the settlers. Hochstetler lets us see that part of the war through Jon’s eyes. Elizabeth and Jonathan, the star crossed lovers in Daughter of Liberty, had the perfect conflict, the American patriot and the British officer. Now they are being kept apart as Elizabeth is pressed back into service as a spy for General Washington. Elizabeth is the perfect society lady, listening in on secrets in Boston, occupied by the British. Her hair raising exploits sneaking secrets past the ruthless British blockade are the best part of the book. Jonathan, now with a price on his head, can trust no one. He goes to the west where he was raised and meets the Indians—not all of them friendly—he knew as a child. Hochstetler introduced me to a fascinating aspect of the revolution here and I’d say more except I don’t want to give away too much of the first book. If you haven’t read that book, I highly recommend you read the series in order. I loved the glimpse into the lives of George Washington as he built his guerrilla forces into a fighting army, and the names and actions of the factual British Generals, intermixed with the fictionalized daring of our heroes. Fiction like this is a great, fun way to teach history. |