The Fifth of March

In this historical fiction suited to preteens, the young nanny of John and Abigail Adams witnesses events in Boston leading to American independence. The story weaves the early New Englanders' passion for liberty into a young woman's struggle to find her place in the world and discover herself. Although Melissa Hughes's voice has lovely diction and clear tones, it's not a suitable choice. She maintains a well-bred American enunciation while stumbling through the author's attempts to capture some of the speech characteristics of Boston before the American Revolution. Her versions of British and Irish accents are distracting, and her young children sound silly. Fortunately, the story stands on its own. N.M.C. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine

November 1, 1993
Historical events aren't as neat and tidy as they appear in history books, nor are they dissimilar from modern happenings (i.e., the Rodney King case), as Rinaldi ( A Break with Charity ) ably demonstrates in this painstakingly researched tale told by a young servant in colonial Boston. Rachel is 14, bound as a nursemaid to the children of John and Abigail Adams, at whose house she sees many of the town's ``movers and shakers'' (one of the book's few faults is its jarringly anachronistic language). When British troops are sent to Boston to keep order, Rachel--despite her increasingly anti-Royalist sentiments--takes pity on Matthew Kilroy, the young sentry posted at the Adamses' door. Their relationship gradually blossoms, but Rachel, who has embarked on an ambitious program to educate herself and who rightly fears ``getting into circumstances,'' refuses to demonstrate her affection in more than verbal terms. Lonely, frustrated, underpaid and reviled by the citizenry he was sent to protect, Matthew explodes during a riot on March 5, 1770, after which he and his fellows are tried for murder and manslaughter in the deaths of five colonialists. How Rachel acts according to her newly awakened social conscience and sense of self-worth makes for engrossing and educational reading. However, readers may object to Rachel's sense of guilt over Matthew's sexual frustration, and to her pronouncements on ``good breeding.'' Ages 10-up.

April 1, 2004
Gr 6-9-Ann Rinaldi's award-winning novel (Harcourt, 1993) is reminiscent of Johnny Tremain. It features an orphaned bondservant, Rachel Marsh, who finds herself enmeshed in the furor that was pre-Revolutionary Boston prior to the Boston Massacre. Many historical personages are featured in the story-John, Abigail, and various other Adamses of Boston; Henry Knox; and soldier Matthew Kilroy. The tale melds history and fiction to give an excellent view of colonial Boston, its inhabitants, and the political and social attitudes that pervaded the city. Rachel discusses the role of women in society with Abigail Adams herself. The notion of colonial British-Americans discovering that they have become "plain Americans" and the philosophical changes that entailed is examined. Melissa Hughes gives an honest voice to narrator Rachel. Early, wistful readings tender an innocence that develops into confidence and assurance as the character grows in years, education, and confidence, lending believability to the narrative. The Adams' cook is referred to as a "nigra girl," which is historically accurate, but might be offensive to some. The story is sprinkled with mild oaths and finds Rachel chastely fending off the advances of soldier Matthew Kilroy. Rinaldi has scored a winner with this book, destined to be a classic, and Hughes ably provides a clear, crisp, and honest rendering.-Mike Brown, Bowie High School, MD

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