A Question of Loyalty

by Barbara Greenwood

Finding the wounded rebel in the barn was just the beginning of Deborah's troubles. If she is caught hiding Dan, her family will be branded as traitors and their barn burned. If she turns him over to the sheriff, he will be hanged! Deborah is torn between a father she has always trusted to be right, and the wounded boy who begs for her help. A gripping story of divided loyalty.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Love, Young Readers, Adventure, Canada, Middle Grade

Paperback

First published January 1, 1940

About the author

Inspired by her own early fascination with historical tales, author Barbara Greenwood specializes in writing historical fiction and biographies for children and young people. When she was young she couldn't find novels about Canada's past. Now she immerses herself in the subject: reading old diaries, journals, and letters, visiting museums, doing in-depth research at libraries, visiting the areas where her books are set. The information gleaned from her research becomes grist for the background details and settings of novels which emphasize character development and the human side of history. The stories she creates are those she would have liked to read at age ten or twelve or fourteen. The reams of research "left-over" from her first two books was used in A Pioneer Story, an award-winning book which mixes fact, fiction, and hands-on activities as it delves into Ontario's past. Barbara Greenwood studied at the University of Toronto. She taught elementary school for many years and, later, taught creative writing to high-school and adult students. She has been president of CANSCAIP (Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illustrators, and Performers) and has edited many CANSCAIP publications. Many of her short stories and articles have been published in the Canadian Children's Annual and educational anthologies.

Reviews

[Christine H · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't think I would have ever chosen to read A Question of Loyalty if my Grade 8 class weren't reading it, but once I got past the first chapter, I found myself compelled to find out how it ends. In general, the writing is fast paced and uses the Mackenzie rebellions well as a background for the story. The first chapter is a bit slow for me -- personal preference, probably, about not liking chase scenes --, but the rest of the chapters build up towards the resolution quite nicely. The conflict that Barbara goes through is one that many teenagers can appreciate. I hope the novel helps intermediate students develop their sense of community and their personal code of ethics. It was a great, quick read that students will enjoy reading maybe especially for the glimpse of the history of Toronto and the Niagara region.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and snappy. A great book to bring to life the complex landscape of rebellion - the action isn't in the rebellion itself, but in dealing with the rebels. I liked that this book was more about people than history, because it made the book really resonate on an emotional level. That's where a read aloud has real educational value, when the facts meet emotions and give the brain something to hold onto.

Don't get me wrong, the history is still there, but the main rebel in the story isn't in the heart of the rebellion, he's on the periphery, caught in the currents of the whirlpool. We learn about the rebellion and the issues that it created, absolutely. But we also learn about daily chores, and how women feel when their menfolk are called away to be part of the militia, and we get to the heart of a rebellion: your friends, your neighbors, your people, are suddenly no longer a rock on which you can depend. You can't take loyalty for granted. And what does loyalty mean?

Unlike many books set in history for young people, this book lets the characters have histories that drive their actions. The clearances of the Scottish highlands, the war of 1812, these 'recent' historical facts play into the choices characters make in this book. As a reader I think it's wonderful, but as a homeschooler, I love it because it ties together several things we are learning about.

Greenwood wrote a good book here. Short and full of tension. Human and yet full of sweeping history. I highly recommend it for homeschoolers.

[Mikayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really loved the premise of this book. (also it has the same title as a book a goodreads friend is writing). The style was alright, and it was really clean. I did like her parents.
But there were a few things that bugged me:
1. Deborah has been raised to hate people like Dan, then suddenly she feels more loyalty to him then her family. I didn't really get how that worked.
2. Deborah pretty much thinks the world should revolve around herself. This was a realistic feeling, but highly annoying to read. She's upset when Dan actually wants to leave (Ya know, just so he won't get killed). Deborah gets mad when Dan doesn't want to get her killed by doing something stupid. She gets upset when her dad wont let her stay in the house alone with Dan because it would be improper. This list could just keep going.
3. Deborah wears pants at one point (for no real reason) and she gives a little speech about how much more comfortable they were then skirts. I've worn skirts all my life, and the first time I wore pants (I was going rock climbing) I was incredibly uncomfortable. I get really tired of all these books having this speech in them.

Overall, I really did not enjoy this book due to the fact that the negative factors outweighed any good it had.

[Books+Me=love4ever · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly adored this book. I'm a girl that is a big fan of epic romances, some of my favourite books being Divergent and The Demon King, but this book contained an element so sweet that it became a book that I've read over and over again. It may not lived up to the gut wrenching romances often found in the young adult genre, but it is worth reading because of the innocent love it exemplifies.

[Christine Stobbe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had its intriguing moments and its slow moments. I would have liked to have seen the historical aspects developed more fully within the story itself (though the historical note at the back was helpful.) It gave an accurate portrayal of women and their limitations at the time, but in so doing, it frequently prevented the main character, Deborah, from participating engagingly in the action. Lots of conversation in the kitchen and verbal relating of action scenes rather than involvement in them made it hard to connect with many of the characters and really delve into the story.
My twelve-year-old son was not a fan of this book. I enjoyed it well enough and would read it again, preferably after a quick refresher course in the history that the story covers. The description throughout was excellent, with a sweet little love story to boot. Three stars from me. My son gives it two.

[Maddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe a bit preachy story of the Upper Canada Rebellion. Love triumphs if I remember correctly!

[Avelor]

I have not read this yet but I think i'ts good

[Rhonda Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, nostalgic read of the book that first introduced me to historical fiction way back in Grade 7 or 8. I really enjoyed it again.

[Ammerlaan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the book that taught baby me that I really enjoy reading

[Aleka Morgan, Lady of Gondor · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite books from the school library!😃

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worldview - Universally Acceptable

Read Aloud - 10 yrs+
Independent Reader - 12 yrs+

Setting:
Location - Queenston, York
Time Period - 1837

Review
A young girl finds a wounded rebel hiding in her family’s barn. They must help him get to safety because if he is found he could be hanged. Loyal to the crown the family struggles with their sense of duty to country as well as their duty to their fellow man. As a nice change for this type of story the whole family work together to help the boy, rather than the children going behind their parents’ backs as so many of these books do.

Although the few brief skirmishes during the Rebellions of 1837 are historically of little significance in and of themselves, these rebellions played a huge part in Canada becoming the country it is today. Because of the unrest Lord Durham was sent from Britain to see what could be done. He was willing to listen to the grievances of the common people and as a result men of all social classes received a vote, not just the wealthy land owners. Upper and Lower Canada were joined into a single colony which was allowed to administer it’s own domestic government. Prior to this time the two Canada’s were each governed by a Lieutenant Governor who answered only to Britain, could override the local democratic government and did not necessarily have the Canadians’ best interests at heart.

This book does contain reference to prayers and church, but it is in more of a cultural sense than a sense of true belief in something.


Teacher Application

As a supplementary resource to study the rebellions of 1837 this is a wonderful choice, however as a stand alone resource to teach this history the book falls short. It fails to thoroughly explain the larger social issues of the day. It is important that the teacher emphasize the unfair treatment the poverty stricken people were receiving. The government was controlled by the wealthy landowners. These men held all the political power, they made and enforced the law and they didn’t allow full freedom of the press. The situation was very similar to what went on prior to the American revolution in the United States. Luckily, England chose to send Lord Durham to determine if the complaints of the people were justified. He set about reforming the political system to give the common people a voice. If we look at world history it is easy to assume that had change not come to Canada, the rebellions would have likely escalated into a full revolution which would have vastly changed the course of Canada’s story.

If students have studied World or American history, it would be very interesting to have them write a paper about what they think would have happened if Lord Durham never came to create social change.

There is a historical note at the end of the book that builds upon the history introduced in the story.


Questionable Language

Bast**ds - Ch. 1, P. 6 “They’ve planted riflemen in those tree, the bast**ds!’ Simply omit “the bast**ds”

By God - Ch. 3 P. 29 paragraph 1 simply omit

Dam*ed- Ch. 6 P. 60 Paragraph 5 Omit word


Parental Warning

Please see Teacher Application for Questionable Language.

Initially Deborah lies to her family to keep Daniel safe.

[Damaris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of my favourite books in Grade 7 and Grade 8, and I still pick it up and read it again and again from time to time. What a wonderful perspective of the War of 1812, from a Canadian viewpoint! The characters and romance are convincing, but not too sappy for young readers. This is a must-read for young, avid history fans. I would suggest every Canadian homeschooler should read this one.

[Katja Labonté · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars & 3/10 hearts. I had high hopes for this book, but I ended up rather disappointed. I enjoyed the excitement—how many times was Dan’s safety threatened?!—and Dan himself was a nice character. Also, the Sheriff’s Scottish burr was delightful! However, I found the language and feeling of the book a little too modern—though the description of Dorothy’s spinning was excellent. And I didn’t appreciate Dorothy’s attitude very much. There was also quite a few swear words, a story that a woman lost a baby because she was frightened by the villain of the story, and a description of a wound that would probably repulse many readers. However, it gave me the clearest idea of what the Rebellion actually was about. So with a little editing, I think it’s worth reading, at least for Canadians.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite very prominently emulating the ambiance of the rebel-heavy olden days, A Question of Loyalty is far too tedious to succeed at its goals and fails to provide much of a gripping drama--drowning out most of the novel's characterization in the process.

[♥Justine♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great book! But... I had to read it for school, so I didn't get to enjoy it as much as I would if I read it on my free time! Doing work is always a downer.

[Dbz For]

I have not read the book yet, because I do not know to read the on this webstite