Rebel

by Allan Baillie, Wu Di

A general and his army flatten a Burmese village's school playground, and the general announces to the unarmed farmers and children that he will now make all the laws, but one young rebel has other ideas. By the author of Little Brother.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Activism, Historical Fiction, War

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1994

About the author

Allan Baillie was born in Scotland but has lived most of his life in Australia, where he attended several Victorian bush schools and eventually settled in Melbourne. He has worked as a journalist and published books in fourteen countries.

Reviews

[Rebsbails · Rating 5 out of 5]

My name is rebel and my brothers name is Alan so this one was a laugh

[Dane Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title: Rebel!
Author: Allan Baillie
Guided Reading: N
Grade Level Equivalent: 4.7
Traits: Sentence Fluency - the story has s poetic cadence. It repeats words and phrases to show emphasis

This short story told as much from the pictures as through the text is about a Burmese town terrorized by a tyrannical government. I chose this story because it deals with the issues of freedom and democracy. It demonstrates the value of community and the need to work for democracy and displays why they are so necessary. The story deals with issues of oppression and encourages people to stand up for the things that they believe.

[Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like how this book was inspired by a true story. At first, I couldn't figure out where the story was going, but once I got to the end, I was surprised and moved. I liked how the village banded together and didn't let the blame fall on any one person.

[Katt Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of those children's picture books that doesn't really feel like it's a story intended for children. At least not for the smaller children that you typically think of with the term 'picture book.'

When a general comes into a town in Burma and tries to take over, a brave child rebels. How the entire town stands with this child, and how the concept of 'saving face' brings the story to a satisfying conclusion is fascinating - and somewhat terrifying to the parent who reads it and understands just how badly this whole incident could have gone wrong.

I enjoyed reading the story, but be prepared for discussion afterwards.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on a true story, which occured in Rangoon, Burma. Rebel is the story of a bossy general who rolls into a small town with tanks, guns and soldiers. He proclaims himself the leader and starts telling them all the things they can't do, until someone throws a thonged sandal, which knocks the general's hat off his head and onto the ground. Will he find out who threw it? Great story about standing up for yourself in the face of odds.