Sara Bishop (Literature Experience 1993)

I think that Sarah Bishop is a good book because I like to read novels about history, & since this book is about the Revalution-ary war,it's just that. This book about 15-year-old Sarah Bishop, who is neither patriot or Tory and is on the run from the Brittish for a crime she didn't commit. Her father was killed by the patriots, her brother by the Brittish. Sarah just hates the war, plain and simple. She heads out northeast to get a way from everyone and along the way she meets a few friends, looking over her shuolder all the time. Will she ever get peace in her life again? Read this book to find out!

Sarah's father is a Whig--a colonist who remains loyal to King George III. As the American Revolution heats up, the Bishop family also feels the heat. Zealous patriots burn their house down and tar and feather Sarah's father (this was something I had always thought of as a funny prank, but after reading this book I realize what an agonizing cruelty this was). Homeless, orphaned, and accused by the British of a crime she didn't commit, Sarah takes to the woods with her trusty musket to survive as best she can. She must fend off a thieving Indian, a disgusting sexual predator, copperheads, bears, and a witch-hunting mob. Cynical and lonely, Sarah is ready to give up on the human race when a Quaker comes to her rescue. Based on a true story!

Being from the town this book is based in, I was forced to readit by my town historian mother. To my great suprise, I rather enjoyedthe book, all the more so because I was able to go to Sarah's cave and see what it must have been like for her. Although this is a fine work of fiction on it's own, I think anyone from the area (or anyone interested in a good read for that matter) should read this book. Scott O'Dell is a master wordsmith and spins a wonderful tale while keeping the basic facts fairly true-to-life.

This is a wonderful book! I have been learning about this point in time in History at school. In History books, the story is told from the American's point-of-view. This story is told from view of a 15 year old girl who's father is a loyalist. It tells of the hardships and persicution she faced during her life. These included the property of her family being burned, her father and brother being killed, being blamed for a crime she didn't commit, being accused of witchcraft, and more. I must admit it was a bit boring at first, but once I got into it, I couldn't put it down. I reccomend this book for older readers (grades 5-6+) because of the length, reading and vocabulary level. If you liked Island Of the Blue Dolphins and Zia, you'll love this.

I had a feeling this book would be somewhat good. But I also had a hunch that some parts would be very, very dull. But was VERY wrong! This is one of my favorite books by Scott O'Dell, a long with Zia. Some of his other books, that I have read, drove me out of my mind with boredom, but this was far from it. Sarah Bishop is a 15 year old girl, living with her Father, and her older brother Chad. They had moved to Long Island, New York Colony, from England, and her Mother had died. Her Father keeps a picture of King George on the wall and this upsets many of the patriots around the area, because that shows that they are loyalists. Her brother, Chad, with his friend David join the Patriot army, against his Father's wishes. One night, some patriots come and burn down the Bishop farm. Her Father is tarred and feathered, and later dies. She is very angry, but sets out for New York City to find her brother Chad. After the battle at Brooklyn Heights, she prays he had not been ! killed by the cruel Hessians, but had been taken prisoner instead. She gets a job at a tavern for awhile, until she has enough money to make the journey. In New York she discovers that her brother has died in the prison camp and she is very upset. Then she is blamed of starting a fire in New York City. A crime she did not commit. She flees into the wilderness of Westchester county, and hides from the Brittish there. She lives in a cave and does her daily tasks (which are put in such away you just have to read on) and she is even accused of being a witch by the people in the local town. A GREAT book! Read it!