The Best of Enemies

The Best of Enemies #1

by Nancy Bond

Charlotte is not looking forward to spring vacation. It looms ahead, dull and lonely. Twelve years old and a little spoiled, she is the "baby" of the Paige family and used to attention. But lately her grown brothers and sisters - and even her parents - have become increasingly preoccupied with pursuits that do not include her. The one bright spot she sees in the vacation is the Patriots' Day celebration held annually on April 19th in Concord, Massachusetts, where she lives, to commemorate the start of the Revolutionary War.

Genres: Young Adult

248 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Children's writer Nancy (Barbara) Bond was born in Maryland and was raised in the United Kingdom and Massachusetts. She received her B.A. in English Literature from Mount Holyoke College in 1966 and a graduate degree from the College of Librarianship in Wales in 1972. She taught at the Simmons College Center for the Study of Children's Literature from 1979 to 2001.

In 1977 Bond received the Newbery Honor for A String in the Harp. Her second book, The Voyage Begun, won the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award.

Reviews

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very curious - one doesn't really understand what exactly is going on until nearly halfway through - but very enjoyable. The family dynamics are realistic but they don't dominate the book.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

The youngest sibling in her family by quite a few years, twelve-year-old Charlotte Paige, also called Charlie, often feels left out of the lives of her brothers and sister, all of whom are adults with concerns very different from her own. She is, however, looking forward to the annual Patriots' Day celebration in her hometown of Concord, Massachusetts, which promises to be an exciting event in the midst of her otherwise boring spring vacation. As it turns out, the days leading up to Patriots' Day prove to be even more exciting than Charlie expects when she begins to see unusual people hanging around town, dressed in period costumes and speaking with foreign accents. Commodore Shattuck and his grandson, Oliver, seem to know exactly why the strangers have appeared, and before long, Charlotte becomes involved with them in a somewhat absurd reenactment of historical events.

My husband recommended this book to me after I read We Alcotts and announced that I wanted to read more about Concord. Though there weren't that many references to the Alcotts and their contemporaries in this book, there were some, and I enjoyed visiting Concord during the twentieth century while also looking back on events from the eighteenth century. As a kid, I didn't really feel connected to historical fiction, and this book alleviates that problem for readers like I was by weaving facts about true historical events into a contemporary coming-of-age story. Charlie is a likable and believable adolescent girl, and the warmth of her family and the personalities of each of her siblings come across very strongly. I also like the fact that the author reveals what is actually happening in Concord very slowly, giving the reader the chance to observe and form theories before simply explaining the role of the mysterious visitors. This adds a layer of depth and sophistication to the novel that I think is especially appealing to middle schoolers.

There are two sequels to this book, which I really want to read! A Place to Come Back To (1984) is on Open Library, while The Love of Friends (1997) is available locally through inter-library loan. They're on my to-read list for later this year.

This review also appears on my blog, Read-at-Home Mom

[Evelyn Saenz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book makes a wonderful introduction to the Revolutionary War for pre-teens that prefer fiction. Nancy Bond understands children of this age and weaves coming of age stories into the historical background to teach about the "shot heard 'round the world" without their knowing it.

[Ellen Harger · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all time favorites beginning in 4th grade. I read it yearly (sometimes several times) through 8th grade. Each reading revealed something new to me as I grew into the story.

This is one of my beloved books.

[Squeaky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charlotte deals with various teen issues while the Patriotic Day ceremonies in Concord go awry. The author thoughtfully included a map, and I appreciate it!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, very enjoyable

[Lois Hecksel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful coming of age story which incorporates information about the Revolutionary War. Each re-reading provided more, and different, insights into the characters and about the war.

[Allyna · Rating 2 out of 5]

It wasn't the most amazing book I've read. I was a bit underwhelmed by it. However, I am sure some would enjoy it. The characters are likeable, and towards the middle it got kind of fun.