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42 pages 1 hour read

Lauren Tarshis

I Survived the American Revolution, 1776

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2017

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Essay Topics

1.

I Survived the American Revolution includes several illustrated pages that provide information about Revolutionary War era weapons and uniforms, as well as maps of 1776 Brooklyn and Manhattan. How do these illustrations relate to specific events in the novel?

2.

How does Nate’s perspective of the war shift throughout the book? Analyze at least three key scenes to support your interpretation.

3.

Analyze Nate’s confrontation with the Hessian soldier and his reaction to the man’s death. What larger philosophical point does the author convey in this scene?

4.

How does the author use onomatopoetic language to bring the setting to life?

5.

Compare and contrast the journeys of Nate and Slash O’Shea.

6.

Choose at least two members of Nate’s found family and analyze how their presence and support influences the course of Nate’s life.

7.

Study the highlights of the Revolutionary War. What are some of the ways the Americans prove their strength to the British, and how accurately does the novel convey these historical points?

8.

How does the author use the character of Paul as an avatar for the common soldier of the Revolutionary War? Which experiences of Paul’s might be considered emblematic of all the American soldiers during this time frame?

9.

Analyze at least three instances in which Nate demonstrates extreme bravery. What is the motivation behind these acts of courage?

10.

Analyze the character of Storch, especially in relation to his mistreatment of Eliza, Theo, and Eliza’s husband Gregory. How does Tarshis use the character of Storch to address the ongoing issue of enslavement in the United States during this time frame?

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