Laurie Halse Anderson is a master of historical fiction, but this book was a mess. it couldn't decide which plot to follow, and the characters did not make choices in line with their established personalities. Disappointing.

I have to say I'm disappointed. The plot moves at a snail's pace; there's very little action and a lot of details about Elsbeth's chores. Elsbeth isn't the most engaging protagonist, and I honestly couldn't connect with her. There are a lot of engaging historical fiction titles out there. Sadly. this isn't one of them.

First off thank you to #NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for access to the ARC of Rebellion 1776 in return for an unbiased review. Laurie Halse Anderson gives life to what it was like in Boston in 1776 during the Revolution right after the British retreat from Boston. In the realm of historical fiction Elsbeth is a very relatable character as she is making it through Boston during a tumultuous time, alone, when her father disappears after the British retreat. Elsbeth learns who she can trust and how to survive by being of value and serving a wealthy family. The antics of the children of the family she serves keeps the personalities alive. I would recommend this for middle grade readers wanting to learn more about what it was like as a young teen during the Revolution.

Anderson never sugarcoats difficult times for her young audience. Rebellion 1776 was a page turner, sometimes even at an anxious pace. I learned a bit about the everyday people caught in the crossfire of war and will recommend it to middle grade students who like history and action

Revellion 1776 is a story about a young girl named Elsbeth who is navigating the smallpox epidemic in Boston during the Revolutionary War. Once again, Laurie Halse Anderson has created an engaging and relatable historical fiction piece for teens. This book is surely to be a hit with readers who enjoy learning about other historical events that happened during major points in American history. I highly recommend this book for middle/high school libraries.

A vividly written historical fiction of the American Revolution over the course of a period of time explained in the chapter headings as Elsbeth works for a family in Boston after moving from Philadelphia with her father after losing her mother and many siblings to the smallpox epidemic.

It's a treacherous time because of the smallpox outbreak but also because of the war whether you were a Loyalist or a Patriot. And Elsbeth has a good head on her shoulders though at the moment she's also lost her father, not knowing where he is and whether he's dead or alive, yet she persists and well by working hard and maintaining connections, friendships, and one specific relationship while using her inoculation against smallpox to help get others through in Boston.

Anderson does historical fiction so well because she creates fantastically realized main characters. I could see, taste, smell, hear, and touch all the things that Elsbeth did through the pages of the book.

Another well written story by Laurie Halse Anderson! The pacing started slow, with tons of characters to keep track of, but overall a decent read!

As someone who loves historical fiction, I was so impressed with this novel. It was informative, interesting, filled with emotion AND action. Elsbeth is such a strong and dynamic character who is both charming and stubborn. I will recommend this book to my avid historical fiction readers at my library.

As a current librarian, former student, when I see Laurie Halse Anderson, I get excited. I will always remember the first book of hers I read, Fever 1793, when I was on the Battle of the Books team at my elementary school in elementary school.

I was SO excited to be able to read her latest novel, Rebellion 1776. And as always, the writing gave life on an important time in American History, adding perspectives that my students today will be able to easily empathize with. Elspeth was an engaging character, and this will be on my shelves ASAP!

Like every single Laurie Halse Anderson book I’ve ever read, I couldn’t put this one down. Her historical fiction books always teach me so much about the time period and this one was no exception. This one will be added to my middle school historical fiction book clubs next year!

Once again, I find myself falling in love with Laurie Halse Anderson's writing. Elspeth Culpepper is a 13-year-old girl living in Boston and a survivor of the smallpox epidemic that took her mother and siblings. Her father, her only living relative, has gone missing, and she has to figure out a way to survive on her own, even while relationships between the Colonies and Great Britain degrade and smallpox continues to spread. During a time when there is a strict divide between the servant class and the gentry and where the patriarchy rules, Elspeth faces a grim and uncertain future. But with her wits and willingness to do what it takes; she is able to work for a Patriot family even though she was originally working for a Loyalist judge. Also living with the family is a sharp-tongued housekeeper who has been with the family for years, and a gentry girl who is temporarily living with the family as her grandmother recuperates from her illness.

I loved Elspeth's voice as she narrates her daily trials and tribulations and shares with us her keen observations of everything going on around her. It was clear that Anderson did her research about the time and place, and she included events that happened in history, including Abigail Adams bringing her family to Boston for the smallpox inoculations in an effort to stem the spread of the horrendous disease.

This story brought forth a wide range of emotions, including laughter, frustration, anger, and tears of sadness and love. Anderson did not sugarcoat anything, but she did give us an ending that was both realistic and hopeful. I highly recommend this story and will be recommending it to my students as well as middle school teachers. This would be a great book to use as a crossover between history, English, and science!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley and the publishers. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rebellion 1776 is a powerful historical novel that captures the chaos of war and disease through the eyes of 13-year-old Elsbeth Culpepper. Set during the Siege of Boston and a deadly smallpox outbreak, Elsbeth’s story is one of resilience, loss, and hope. Rich in historical detail and emotional depth, this is a gripping tale of survival and strength in the face of overwhelming odds.

*NO RATING*

While I commend the author's research for this book [and it was extensive; see the author's note at the end of the book], and the look into the smallpox epidemic that was both interesting *AND* timely [given recent events with the current measles outbreak and people's <spoiler> stupid, ignorant</spoiler> hesitation around vaccinations], overall, this book just did not work for me [nor, do I think it would keep the attention of many middle-graders I know], and I spent much of wishing I was reading somethiing else, ALL while hoping it would get better [I will say that the last hour of the book was the best of the whole experience and left me wishing the whole book had been this good]. I didn't enjoy the narration much either and that added to the disconnect I already felt with the writing.
Having read [with several others sitting staring at me from my physical book pile] this author before [Fever 1793 was absolutely stunning and shows that the author is a magnificent writer], my expectations were very high, and unfortunately, I was left very disappointed.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing/Antheneum/Caitlin Dloughey Book for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you, Netgalley and Simon and Schuster, for the advanced copy of Rebellion 1776 by Laurie Halse Anderson in exchange for my honest review. #NetGalley

Laura Halse Anderson's Rebellion 1776 captures a critical moment in history that is right before the Declaration of Independence was written and during the American Revolutionary War. After the turmoil that Boston has faced, is where this story begins through the eyes of Elsbeth Culpepper. Who currently before the evacuation day, was just a simple maid. After the evacuation day, she not only loses her employer, her only family member alive, but also goes missing. Elsbeth, to make it in this tough world, must find an employer and housing. Her luck arrives the moment Mister Pike and his family come to the house she used to serve. She is taken in and used as a housemaid. Although she is unsure where her life will take her, one thing she knows for sure is that she is safe for now. She grows fond of the Pikes and Hannah while serving them. Whispers, flags, and people are turning up left and right with smallpox. This hits hard for Elsbeth, this is what killed her mother and siblings. When the Pikes decide to inoculate themselves with smallpox, she takes care of the household. The unknown of both Elsbeth's life and the Pikes' strikes a chord with Elsbeth as she tries to figure out what to do next and what her future holds.

Readers who enjoy Historical Fiction might enjoy this novel, although it is slow to start, the action picks up. Highly relevant and might provide an opportunity to compare this to COVID-19. I think this might be a hard sell for students to enjoy because this book has a lot of telling about happenings, but hardly ever actions specifically for the main character. When I heard the word Rebellion, I thought of a girl partaking in the War, and there are hints of that, but never fully discussed.

DNF -- I enjoyed the writing style, the voice of the narrator, and the details of the time period and the characters' lives, but I gave up after 100 pages because there is too little plot for me. There was no driving force. But readers who enjoy a more slow-paced novel that immerses them in daily life in Revolutionary War-era USA may enjoy this.

Anderson brings us a loveable, tought and engaging heroine. Elsbeth is a lively narrator, and the story moves along well, though perhaps a tad slow in the middle. Historical novels are a difficult sell in my library, but new perspectives on old history are always welcome. The well trodden story of the revolution has new things to teach when seen through the eyes of a smart young lady stuck in bad circumstances amidst historic events.

Laurie Halse Anderson is an auto-buy author for me, and Revolution 1776 lived up to my expectations. It was clear that Anderson was thorough in her research, but the historical information was thoughtfully and seamlessly woven into Elsbeth’s story. This novel easily lends itself to cross-curricular connections, and many of the topics are relevant to current events and opinions. I will be purchasing a copy for my school library collection.

I found the chapter about the inoculations super interesting, and cannot imagine what people went through at this time in history. To lose entire families to something like smallpox must have been horrible, and then to have the war occurring on top of that? Overall, I wish I had loved this book more. I think it certainly helps the reader to envision what this time in history was like, for those in the working class and those who should have money.

Thanks to NetGalley & Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.

I had a difficult time getting through this, but I think that was me personally having difficulty with interest in historical fiction. The writing style and language dragged for me, but I think there is interest and the cover is grabbing.

A bit slow paced for my taste, but an interesting look into the history of the American Revolution and how it affected the common folk, through the life of a teenage girl. She kept herself alive and thriving despite the odds against her.