45 pages • 1 hour read
James Lincoln Collier, Christopher CollierA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
My Brother Sam Is Dead by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier is set during the American Revolutionary War and follows Tim Meeker, a young boy whose family is torn apart when his brother, Sam, joins the Patriot forces. Tim grapples with loyalty and the harsh realities of war as his family faces severe hardships. The novel explores the impact of war on family dynamics and personal growth. The story contains scenes of violence and death in war.
My Brother Sam Is Dead by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier is widely praised for its realistic portrayal of the American Revolutionary War and complex characters, especially in depicting a family's divided loyalties. However, some critics find its graphic content and slow pacing unsuitable for younger readers. Overall, it’s a compelling yet controversial historical novel.
Readers who enjoy historical fiction like Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes or The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare will appreciate My Brother Sam Is Dead by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier. Ideal for middle school students, it combines a gripping narrative with Revolutionary War settings and themes of loyalty and conflict.
Recommended
Lexile Level
770LHistorical Fiction
Children's Literature
Education
American Revolution
Relationships: Family
Society: War
Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal
Military / War
Education
History: World