About the Book
How do we share in patriotism with America's future?
The novel Saving Dr. Warren...A True Patriot answers that question through the eyes of a 14 year old boy.
Steve O'Dell loves to write and does it well. But as an eighth-grade student at Needham Middle School, his talent sometimes seems more an embarrassment than a blessing.
Then, on Veteran's Day 2001, Steve's award-winning essay propels him into an adventure twisting through Revolutionary battles and bloodshed. Thanks to the bizarre bequest of a manuscript and a musket ball from a long-lost family war hero, Steve's journey with the Revolutionary War hero Dr. Joseph Warren begins.
A time-traveling talisman missing from the archives of one of Boston's oldest historical societies takes Steve through the portals of history, where he walks side by side with a real Boston patriot. He makes house calls with Dr. Warren on March 5, 1770, and stumbles onto the bloodstained streets of the Boston Massacre. From the killings of March 5 to boarding tea ships in 1773, Steve's history book explodes to life as he helps Dr. Warren and forges a friendship with Boston's True Patriot. Steve watches Dr. Warren launch Paul Revere on his midnight ride, and he helps Dr. Warren dodge British musket balls in the first battles of the War for Independence. With each adventure, Steve tastes the light that ignites the Revolution.
Steve will eventually convince others that the Revolutionary relic he was given really does open portals through time, but he faces his most difficult quest alone—saving Dr. Warren from an onslaught at Bunker Hill. Can he do it? And if he fails, will he ever return to this century?Saving Dr. Warren...A True Patriot rips through the pages of history. From the Revolutionary War to the vanishing veterans of World War II, to the ashes of September 11, 2001, Saving Dr. Warren demonstrates to both old and young that patriotism, standing like an old oak tree on a grandfather's farm, has and will endure.
Check out Jeffery J. McKenna's website for plenty of free educational resources that have been created specifically for Saving Dr. Warren... A True Patriot. You'll find lesson plans, an essay contest, as well as information about author visits. This historical-fiction novel has been used in several middle school classrooms as a resource for both History and English teachers—it is a great educational tool for parents, librarians, and teachers.
Ages 11-15, 366 pages, Publisher: Jeffrey J. McKenna, ISBN-13:978-0999901205
About the Author
National Parks like Zion and Arches. He loves mountain biking over the brightly colored sandstone that surrounds him, as well as new trails he finds when he goes on cross-country RV trips with his wife. Along with reading entertaining historical fiction novels, Jeff believes a great way to learn to love America is by exploring her beautiful landscape and visiting cities and states from sea to shining sea.Jeff's love for his country is what has fostered his love for writing. Uncovering America's history can be messy, but Jeff dives in with both hands to uncover what lies hidden in our nation's past. He loves to reveal forgotten heroes and help them come alive for young Americans as they race through the page of his historical fiction novel, Saving Dr. Warren..."A True Patriot".
Jeff would love to hear about the American heroes you've discovered as you dive into history. For more information, visit his website here.
Review
Saving Dr. Warren..."A True Patriot" shares many historical events including 9-11, WWII, and the Revolutionary War. Jumping around in history made me feel like I was also traveling in time and experiencing different events, however, I enjoyed it more when the book solely focused on the Revolutionary War. The transitions between the different chapters became smoother and easier to read. I would also have enjoyed the book more if the author had written the name of the character whose perspective we were reading at the beginning of the chapter.
The theme of patriotism and what it is ran throughout the book. The novel does a good job at explaining why patriotism matters in the modern world. I really enjoyed reading about the events during the Revolutionary War and learning more about Dr. Warren and his involvement with the war. It was also interesting to read Steve's perspective on the past. It was a modern take on the events through history. . Pre-teens and teens would enjoy how history comes alive in this book. It would help history to seem more real and relatable.
The characters were also engaging and interesting in the novel. In the beginning of the novel, Steve is cocky, self-serving and prideful. Throughout the story he becomes a better person and learns humility, patriotism, caring more for those around him and learns how to foster better relationships with his friends and family members. His life changes through experiencing the historical events and getting to know historical figures. I liked that Steve's character changed for the better as the story enfolded.
I could also see teachers using this in the classroom to help students gain a greater understanding of historical events. Reading about historical events in a fictional setting may help students to remember and internalize it more. There were several parts of the story that could be used in a discussion setting, project or student essay. I would recommend reading this book and learning more about the historical events that it mentions.
One (1) grand prize winner receives:
- A copy of Saving Dr. Warren … “A True Patriot,” autographed by Jeffery McKenna
- An original 1700’s musket ball
- A copy of Saving Dr. Warren … “A True Patriot,” autographed by Jeffery McKenna
The giveaway begins December 10, 2020, at 12:01 A.M. MT and ends January 10, 2020, at 11:59 P.M. MT.
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Check out the other blog tour stops here.
This post is sponsored in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and author Jeffery McKenna in both your blog post and all social shares.
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