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The Winter Hero
In 1787, young Justin Conkey marches with the farmers of Western Massachusetts who, led by Captain Daniel Shays, are determined to end the crushing taxes which are causing them to lose their livestock and farms
132 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1978
9 people are currently reading
213 people want to read
About the author
James Lincoln Collier
132 books68 followersJames Lincoln Collier (born June 27, 1928) is a journalist, author, and professional musician.
Collier's notable literary works include My Brother Sam Is Dead (1974), a Newbery Honor book that was also named a Notable Children's Book by the American Library Association and nominated for a National Book Award in 1975. He also wrote a children's book titled The Empty Mirror (2004), The Teddy Bear Habit (1967), about an insecure boy whose beatnik guitar teacher turns out to be a crook, and Rich and Famous (1975), sequel to The Teddy Bear Habit. His list of children's books also includes Chipper (2001), about a young boy in a gang. His writings for adults include numerous books on jazz, including biographies of Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman and Duke Ellington. He has also contributed entries on jazz-related subjects to the Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians.
In addition to his writing, Collier is an accomplished jazz musician who plays the trombone professionally.
Collier's notable literary works include My Brother Sam Is Dead (1974), a Newbery Honor book that was also named a Notable Children's Book by the American Library Association and nominated for a National Book Award in 1975. He also wrote a children's book titled The Empty Mirror (2004), The Teddy Bear Habit (1967), about an insecure boy whose beatnik guitar teacher turns out to be a crook, and Rich and Famous (1975), sequel to The Teddy Bear Habit. His list of children's books also includes Chipper (2001), about a young boy in a gang. His writings for adults include numerous books on jazz, including biographies of Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman and Duke Ellington. He has also contributed entries on jazz-related subjects to the Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians.
In addition to his writing, Collier is an accomplished jazz musician who plays the trombone professionally.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 17, 2015
I love James Lincoln Collier's young adult historical fiction. He really makes history come to life and shows how it never was just black and white, you're right and I'm wrong. He makes you think about how history applies to your life and this one applies today. To quote the main character: "And one last thing that we learned out of it was that if you don't take the trouble to vote your own representatives to the government, the government is likely to do a lot of things that you don't like.
The book was about Shay's Rebellion in Massachusetts 1786 and 1787.
The book was about Shay's Rebellion in Massachusetts 1786 and 1787.
December 7, 2011
wow talk about a ending that was CRAZY !!!!!!!!!!!!
October 2, 2022
I knew about Shay's rebellion, but never really knew about it, right? I understood that it helped with the whole states vs. federal thing, but I don't think I ever delved into what it was about or why it happened. So this book was quite educational for me.
It's all wrapped up in a 13?14? year old Justin's desire to be a hero, like his brother-in-law who fought in the Revolutionary War. He's also of the belief that in order to be a hero, one must fight or contribute to a cause, like Shay's Rebellion. He manages to get himself set up as a spy in the big, bad villain, Major Mattoon's house...but he's not very helpful there and gets caught anyway. Then he finally convinces his brother-in-law to let him join up with the rebellion and fight in it. But he keeps running away from any conflict and believes himself a coward. He ends up doing one heroic thing, saving his brother-in-law from being killed, but doesn't even realize it's heroic...but others do. And so he begins to realize he doesn't know what heroic even means.
I think what I liked her is that Justin comes to realize that war isn't about glory and heroism. At first he wants to be a part of it, but he keeps getting the pee scared out of him. And then he sees death and it scares him even more. And it's at that point that he realizes he doesn't want any part of this and just wants to go home. But there's one more act of heroism to come. Which doesn't really require battle, but does require courage and sacrifice. And I think he gets a better sense of what it means to be a hero...not necessarily in everyone's eyes, but to the people that matter. So I liked the message that came across here.
This was, for me, an average story. Enjoyable enough, but I don't think it's going to be memorable. It was a quick and easy read, and the subject matter was new and different for me. I also like that the author(s) don't really pull all that many punches considering the age-level of this book. It's designed for middle grade and it shows death and the brutality of war in an age-appropriate way without idealizing it.
It's all wrapped up in a 13?14? year old Justin's desire to be a hero, like his brother-in-law who fought in the Revolutionary War. He's also of the belief that in order to be a hero, one must fight or contribute to a cause, like Shay's Rebellion. He manages to get himself set up as a spy in the big, bad villain, Major Mattoon's house...but he's not very helpful there and gets caught anyway. Then he finally convinces his brother-in-law to let him join up with the rebellion and fight in it. But he keeps running away from any conflict and believes himself a coward. He ends up doing one heroic thing, saving his brother-in-law from being killed, but doesn't even realize it's heroic...but others do. And so he begins to realize he doesn't know what heroic even means.
I think what I liked her is that Justin comes to realize that war isn't about glory and heroism. At first he wants to be a part of it, but he keeps getting the pee scared out of him. And then he sees death and it scares him even more. And it's at that point that he realizes he doesn't want any part of this and just wants to go home. But there's one more act of heroism to come. Which doesn't really require battle, but does require courage and sacrifice. And I think he gets a better sense of what it means to be a hero...not necessarily in everyone's eyes, but to the people that matter. So I liked the message that came across here.
This was, for me, an average story. Enjoyable enough, but I don't think it's going to be memorable. It was a quick and easy read, and the subject matter was new and different for me. I also like that the author(s) don't really pull all that many punches considering the age-level of this book. It's designed for middle grade and it shows death and the brutality of war in an age-appropriate way without idealizing it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2022
Pretty good book about Shay's rebellion. There aren't a lot of books on this subject, and like most of Collier's books, it tries to stay as true to history as possible. The story is told from the point of view of a young boy and features a pretty outspoken woman for the time period. There is quite a lot of commentary about what happens when the rich are in control and when the people don't have a voice in their own government. I'm glad I read the story and it moved along well, but I'm not sure I enjoyed it as much as others by the same author. Overall, a pretty good read for the time period, and certainly a more unique take on a topic from the time period.
November 1, 2021
Another entry in my attempts to add Young Adult novels to my repertoire because i work in a Junior High. I do like to be able to recommend books to the students I work with.
I would recommend this book to adults, simply because it deals with a little known chapter in American History, Shay's Rebellion. So a quick read to add to your understanding of this event, or, if you are a young adult, a good book to read.
I would recommend this book to adults, simply because it deals with a little known chapter in American History, Shay's Rebellion. So a quick read to add to your understanding of this event, or, if you are a young adult, a good book to read.
November 20, 2019
The last twenty pages are the best. A little slow to begin, but got more interesting later in the book. The book deals with Justin's desire to fight and wanting to be a hero, but conflicted because he thinks he's a coward. He asks, "Did it count if you didn't mean to do something heroic, but just did it?"
I enjoyed the authors' other book My Brother Sam is Dead, somewhat more than this book.
I enjoyed the authors' other book My Brother Sam is Dead, somewhat more than this book.
January 20, 2021
Short book about Shays' Rebellion in 1786-87 through the eyes of a 14 year old boy. It was an OK read, but I'm glad I did as it gave me a better perspective of this historical event. My 4th great grandfather, Thomas Brooks, was a participant fighting alongside his friend Daniel Shays in this taxpayer revolt against the Massachusetts government.
January 6, 2021
This was a rather elementary book. Short but has a lot of history included although I thought the book was more geared to a 10 year old, but that may just have been because of the audiobook narrator.
March 4, 2023
Engaging and, uh, do kids like stories that are Informative…?!
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My Full Review →
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September 12, 2013THE PRICE OF FREEDOM
There are always literary challenges in writing historical fiction, including keeping dates and facts true to history, as well as the use of specialized or archaic vocabulary and expressions--all of which create an aura of authenticity to the dialogue. The Collier brothers have mastered these skills for their novels, mostof which are set in New England. Despite having won the Revolutionary War in the previous decade farmers and common folk in MA are not able to enjoy the prosperity and freedom to pursue happiness before the Law--liberties for which they fought, bled and died. The General Court in Boston--filled with and backed by the wealthy River Gods--has taken the place of the British to levy unreasonable taxes and callously appropriate the property of small farmers and modest businessmen. There is little recourse for the common man, since most towns opted not to elect and support their own representatives in the legislature. The British are no longer the enemy but the oppression of wealthy landowner continues.
As the winter of 1787 approaches 14-year-old Justin is sent to work off a debt incurred by his volatile brother-in-law, Peter, at the estate of Major Mattoon (Dutch surnames are prevalent in the Hudson River Valley). Eager to prove his manhood and value as a potential hero, Justin agrees to act as a spy inorder to learn the plans of the agricultural robber barons--until he is entrapped by his suspicious employer and makes a violent escape.
Throughout a particularly bitter winter the young man is desperate to prove that he too can be a hero--not realizing that many times heroes turn out to be just ordinary people caught up in events, who do what comes naturally to save others regardless of risk to themselves. Insisting on joining General Daniel Shays' group of Regulators and lying about his age, Justin shuffles off across the fields, forests and valleys of MA and bordering states--toting his father's sword and ultimately acquiring real fire arms. But war, even in a raggle-taggle militia, proves brutal both to the body and the soul--putting friendship and political convictions to the test.
Justin comes of age during the long miseries of that wretched winter when the civil rebellion was put down, but was all the suffering worth it? What did the citizens (no longer "liege subjects") learn about Democracy and how to make it work effectively for the common weal? This book provides a good view of a lesser-known aspect of the road to federalization, when states had to surrender some of their rights in order to forge a future nation.
(June 20, 2010. I welcome dialogue with teachers.)
There are always literary challenges in writing historical fiction, including keeping dates and facts true to history, as well as the use of specialized or archaic vocabulary and expressions--all of which create an aura of authenticity to the dialogue. The Collier brothers have mastered these skills for their novels, mostof which are set in New England. Despite having won the Revolutionary War in the previous decade farmers and common folk in MA are not able to enjoy the prosperity and freedom to pursue happiness before the Law--liberties for which they fought, bled and died. The General Court in Boston--filled with and backed by the wealthy River Gods--has taken the place of the British to levy unreasonable taxes and callously appropriate the property of small farmers and modest businessmen. There is little recourse for the common man, since most towns opted not to elect and support their own representatives in the legislature. The British are no longer the enemy but the oppression of wealthy landowner continues.
As the winter of 1787 approaches 14-year-old Justin is sent to work off a debt incurred by his volatile brother-in-law, Peter, at the estate of Major Mattoon (Dutch surnames are prevalent in the Hudson River Valley). Eager to prove his manhood and value as a potential hero, Justin agrees to act as a spy inorder to learn the plans of the agricultural robber barons--until he is entrapped by his suspicious employer and makes a violent escape.
Throughout a particularly bitter winter the young man is desperate to prove that he too can be a hero--not realizing that many times heroes turn out to be just ordinary people caught up in events, who do what comes naturally to save others regardless of risk to themselves. Insisting on joining General Daniel Shays' group of Regulators and lying about his age, Justin shuffles off across the fields, forests and valleys of MA and bordering states--toting his father's sword and ultimately acquiring real fire arms. But war, even in a raggle-taggle militia, proves brutal both to the body and the soul--putting friendship and political convictions to the test.
Justin comes of age during the long miseries of that wretched winter when the civil rebellion was put down, but was all the suffering worth it? What did the citizens (no longer "liege subjects") learn about Democracy and how to make it work effectively for the common weal? This book provides a good view of a lesser-known aspect of the road to federalization, when states had to surrender some of their rights in order to forge a future nation.
(June 20, 2010. I welcome dialogue with teachers.)
April 3, 2018
This novel follows a fictional character, Justin, through Shay's Rebellion. The novel occurs between the fall of 1786 and the late spring of 1787. Many of the characters within the text are based on historical figures and real events. The novel themes include: women's voting rights, the American class system, government, battle tactics from that era and hardships a soldier had to endure in the 18th century.
Many counties did not send representatives to the state legislature, due to cost. The capital ended up passing laws that overtaxed the common man. Shay's Rebellion was a response of citizens standing up to an unjust government. The militia would surround the courts and not allow liens and foreclosures to be processed. Eventually the Governor has the US Army sent put down the rebellion.
Our protagonist, Justin, is an orphan. His father died in the Revolutionary War and his mother died young. He lives and works on a farm with his sister and brother-in-law, Peter. Justin longs to be a hero in battle, just like Peter was in the Revolutionary War. Peter uses Justin as a spy in the house of Major Mattoon, in exchange for the use of his oxen. When the Rebellion begins, with help from his sister Justin enlists in the fight. A long journey begins in which Justin travels all over the region and flees or fights in every engagement of the rebellion. Justin becomes a hero when you saves Peter from a bayonet attack. Afterwards, they have just lost the skirmish and Justin doesn't feel like a hero at all. After the rebellion, the citizens use the next election to put the people that represent them into the state house.
This novel does require a lot background knowledge of the region (the protagonist is constantly on the move) and the people involved, but this is an excellent story that involves the history of our country. The exploration of how people lived back then is covered in many different ways within the text; no electricity, horses are more valuable than men.
Many counties did not send representatives to the state legislature, due to cost. The capital ended up passing laws that overtaxed the common man. Shay's Rebellion was a response of citizens standing up to an unjust government. The militia would surround the courts and not allow liens and foreclosures to be processed. Eventually the Governor has the US Army sent put down the rebellion.
Our protagonist, Justin, is an orphan. His father died in the Revolutionary War and his mother died young. He lives and works on a farm with his sister and brother-in-law, Peter. Justin longs to be a hero in battle, just like Peter was in the Revolutionary War. Peter uses Justin as a spy in the house of Major Mattoon, in exchange for the use of his oxen. When the Rebellion begins, with help from his sister Justin enlists in the fight. A long journey begins in which Justin travels all over the region and flees or fights in every engagement of the rebellion. Justin becomes a hero when you saves Peter from a bayonet attack. Afterwards, they have just lost the skirmish and Justin doesn't feel like a hero at all. After the rebellion, the citizens use the next election to put the people that represent them into the state house.
This novel does require a lot background knowledge of the region (the protagonist is constantly on the move) and the people involved, but this is an excellent story that involves the history of our country. The exploration of how people lived back then is covered in many different ways within the text; no electricity, horses are more valuable than men.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2016
Typically when I try out a book which seems to be geared more toward a male adolescent, it winds up being "okay" but not great to me because it's really not my preference for reading. However, this book did hold my attention throughout the novel. It's about a young man living in our past history, the time being the revolutionary times. He becomes a part of Shays Rebellion not really for the cause but because he wants to be a hero like the family member he lives with.
This novel continually kept my attention as it moved through the lad's journey from childhood to manhood, as he learned about what war actually was and what it actually means to be a hero. He was surprised about what he discovered, but truly he rose from childhood to manhood through this journey -- and war. Read it. You'll be surprised what YOU can learn from th is novel, too!
This novel continually kept my attention as it moved through the lad's journey from childhood to manhood, as he learned about what war actually was and what it actually means to be a hero. He was surprised about what he discovered, but truly he rose from childhood to manhood through this journey -- and war. Read it. You'll be surprised what YOU can learn from th is novel, too!
August 25, 2016
My second book by these authors. I am Surprised that I enjoyed the story a great deal as I also learned of a part of history that I was previously unfamiliar with. I recommend this book for those interested in history and interested in a good story that brings light to our history.
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January 1, 2011paperback
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March 21, 2016A young boy and his version of Shay's Rebellion--1786 & 1787.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews