The Fifth of March by Ann Rinaldi
San Diego: Gulliver Books, 1993The Boston Massacre. The American Revolution is characterized by many myths regarding "the course of human events" that ultimately culminated in the birth of our nation. Some of those myths evolved over a period of time. Others, like the Boston Massacre, were distorted from the outset by proponents of American independence determined to use it as rallying cry on behalf of resistance to British power.
Ann Rinaldi's Fifth of March, while fiction, provides a credible, even-handed portrayal of the Boston Massacre. From the events leading up to the Massacre to the controversial trials that served as its aftermath, Rinaldi examines the Massacre from the perspective of both sides. She cleverly tells the story in the first person from the perspective of Rachel Marsh, a fourteen year old indentured servant girl who beginning in 1768 serves as a nursemaid in the household of John and Abigail Adams. Remarkably, most of the book is true, including the fact the Adams really did employ an indentured servant named Rachel Marsh. Virtually all of the characters are real and are accurately portrayed including Sam Adams, Henry Knox, Thomas Hutchinson, and Jonathan Sewall.
In order to give us a glimpse of the life and perspective of British soldiers serving the Crown in 1770, Rinaldi arranges for Rachel to strike up a friendship with Matthew Kilroy, one of the soldiers later accused of murder in conjunction with the Boston Massacre. She also frequents the bookstore of Henry Knox, who secretly conspires with the Sons of Liberty.
John and Abigail Adams are fairly portrayed, including John Adams agonizing decision to defend the soldiers accused in the massacre even though he knows the consequences to his personal reputation he is likely to suffer as a result.Comment
Rinaldi is a fine teacher of history. Her books, and The Fifth of March is no exception, are as faithful as possible to early American history. In this book, she examine not only the historical events that helped lead to the American Revolution, she gives her readers insight into how people in the late eighteenth century lived and thought. John and Abigail Adams are an excellent choice for subjects, because there is so many primary sources available including their diaries and thousands of letters. Abigail Adams was highly educated for a woman of her time, and Rinaldi uses her as a tool to explore women's rights. Rinaldi also refers to the Townsend Acts, the Stamp Act, the Liberty Riots, Boston's South End gang, indentured servants, Quakers, anti-Catholic sentiment, the French and Indian War, and the Sons of Liberty.Reading Level: 5.7
Interest Level: 7-10
335 pagesSupports the Following Instructional Objectives:
Analyze the Causes of the American Revolution
Discuss the Economic Issues that Motivated Americans to Revolt and Sustain a War
Organize and Evaluate the Significant Events of the American Revolution
Excerpt
The world exploded in my ears. The sound echoed in my soul. I shut my eyes tight as muskets went off. I smelled the black powder, like the stench of rotten eggs in the air. I put my hands over my ears and closed my eyes tight.
When I opened them I saw Attucks on the ground, bleeding. And Matthew was pointing his musket at Sam Gray of the ropewalk works. Matthew's face seemed etched in stone. His fingers were on the trigger.
"No!" I screamed.
Again the world exploded and I saw smoke coming out of Matthew's musket, saw Gray go down.Picture of the Boston Massacre used with permission by "The Boston Massacre Files" at:
http://www.bostonmassacre.net/pictures/index.htm
Accessed July 10, 2002.Historical Fiction and Idaho U.S. History Curriculum
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