The Keeping Room

The Keeping Room is an excellent 4th grade reading level book. It is a great historical fiction novel told from the perspective of a young boy-the son of Officer Joseph Kershaw.Excellent. Great read. Great history.

At first, when my 6th grade Social Studies teacher told us we were going to read The Keeping Room I was thinking "Oh great, a book that we're going to have to do work on." I wasn't too excited. About the time we had gotten to the end of the first chapter I had already picked out my favorite character and wanted to keep going. Of course my favorite character was none other than Euven, Joey's Quaker teacher. Joey's dad, Colonel Kershaw, went off to protect Camden, South Carolina. But General Cornwallis showed up with his men. Camden decided to surrender. Euven tells Joey that there are both good and evil men on both sides of the war, but Joey doesn't want to believe it. But sure enough he meets a man on the British's side who is a good man. Captain Harkins, one of the few nice men on the British side, protects Joey from harm caused by the other soldiers. But, try as Captain Harkins might, Joey refuses to become friends with him. I learned that anyone living in the times of the Revolutionary War would have had problems with the British. I also learned that no matter what happens never give up. Joey kept going and he never gave up because he wanted to prove to his father he could do it. But Joey finds out no matter how old, wise, or nice someone is, it doesn't mean they're always right.

In her latest offering of historical fiction for young people, Myers (Fire in the Hills, Red Dirt Jessie, Spotting the Leopard) once again paints a thought-provoking picture of a long-ago time and place while showing that many things, including relationships with family and friends, and above all, feelings, have not changed very much at all. In The Keeping Room, Myers presents an unforgettable coming of age story set during the American Revolution. Young Joey Kerhsaw longs for his beloved father, who is fighting against the English during the American Revolution. When Colonel Kershaw is captured, and the British under General Cornwallis take over the Kerhsaw home to use as their headquaters, Joey is devestated and is determined to strike back by killing a redcoat; his vengence and hatred toward the British cause one of the few good men serving under Cornwallis to be killed; Joey learns that there are good and bad men on both sides but it is too late: the damage is done. As the book closes in two thought-provoking letters between father and son, the reader realizes that Joey's opinions of slavery and war are forever changed. Joey and his family will stay with the reader long after the last page is turned.