Rebellion 1776 - by Laurie Halse Anderson (Hardcover)

About the Book

Set in 1776, this is the story of thirteen-year-old Elsbeth, who struggles to find her missing father amidst the smallpox epidemic sweeping across Boston duriing the American revolution.

Book Synopsis

From New York Times bestselling author Laurie Halse Anderson comes an "thoroughly researched, emotionally resonant" (Booklist, starred review) historical fiction middle grade adventure about a girl struggling to survive amid a smallpox epidemic, the public's fear of inoculation, and the seething Revolutionary War.

In the spring of 1776, thirteen-year-old Elsbeth Culpepper wakes to the sound of cannons. It's the Siege of Boston, the Patriots' massive drive to push the Loyalists out that turns the city into a chaotic war zone. Elsbeth's father--her only living relative--has gone missing, leaving her alone and adrift in a broken town while desperately seeking employment to avoid the orphanage.

Just when things couldn't feel worse, the smallpox epidemic sweeps across Boston. Now, Bostonians must fight for their lives against an invisible enemy in addition to the visible one. While a treatment is being frantically fine-tuned, thousands of people rush in from the countryside begging for inoculation. At the same time, others refuse protection, for the treatment is crude at best and at times more dangerous than the disease itself.

Elsbeth, who had smallpox as a small child and is now immune, finds work taking care of a large, wealthy family with discord of their own as they await a turn at inoculation, but as the epidemic and the revolution rage on, will she find her father?

Review Quotes

[I]ts themes echo our current tensions: vaccine detractors versus promoters, royalists versus patriots, misogyny versus feminism, old ways of living and loving versus new ways of being true to oneself. [...] There is a fair bit of skulduggery as well -- stolen fortunes, false accusations, thefts, betrayals -- that adds mystery and suspense.. [...] Filled with immersive detail, expert delineations of complex characters, and both harsh and loving reality, "Rebellion 1776" provides young readers with a true experience of a historic moment in time that resonates with today's world. To use Elsbeth's celebratory last word, "Huzzah!"--New York Times "3/21/25"

Another masterly account of colonial life from Anderson. [...] The plot is action-packed, reflecting the unprecedented times of the era. Each chapter opens with a quote from a contemporary historical figure, cementing the sense of time and place. Colorful dialogue, including period-accurate insults, i.e., "dunderhead" and "numbskull," add authenticity. [...] Readers can draw several parallels between Elsbeth's life and modern times, such as the debate over smallpox inoculation. [...] A must-buy for historical fiction collections, ­especially where Anderson's Chains and Fever 1793 are popular.--School Library Journal "3/1/25"

One of the narrative's strengths is Anderson's ability to create realistically flawed yet often appealing characters and relationships; another is how fully and sensitively she portrays the female characters' reactions to the limited rights and roles of women in their society. Each chapter opens with a short, relevant quote from the correspondence, journals, or diaries of a notable such as Abigail Adams, John Adams, Ben Franklin, or George Washington. A thoroughly researched, emotionally resonant historical novel. --Booklist, STARRED Review "02/01/2025"

This well-crafted novel by Anderson (Shout) opens in March 1776, on the eve of the Loyalists' forced evacuation of Boston. Period details of daily life during the events of the founding of the United State immerse readers in the era, and plot points become compellingly relevant to contemporary times when Boston is hit by the smallpox epidemic and controversies about inoculation abound. --Publishers Weekly "2/3/2025"

Told through Elsbeth's clever, feminist, often-humorous perspective, this original and timely story immerses readers in her observations on an epidemic and vaccination, early American politics and society, and the meaning of family. Engrossing, entertaining, and heartfelt. --Kirkus "02/1/25"

About the Author

Laurie Halse Anderson is a New York Times bestselling author known for tackling tough subjects with humor and sensitivity. She's twice been a National Book Award finalist, for Chains and Speak; Chains also received the 2009 Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction. Laurie was chosen for the 2009 Margaret A. Edwards Award and received the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award in 2023, presented to her by the Crown Princess of Sweden. She lives in Pennsylvania, and you can follow her adventures on X @HalseAnderson or visit her at MadWomanintheForest.com.