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The Reluctant Rebel: A Jacobite Adventure
There it is again, hope. The defeat and the despair I can stand, but it's the hope that kills me, as if the Cause wasn't lost, as if Father hadn't died in vain. As if any one of us could possibly come out of this alive…
Following the death of his father, 13-year-old Archie MacDonald has lost faith in the Jacobite Cause. Having witnessed their clan's terrible defeat at the Battle of Culloden, Archie and his feisty cousin Meg flee back to Lochaber to lie low.
Or so they think.
Until the fugitive Prince's life depends on them.
When Prince Charles Edward Stuart looks to the people of Borrodale for help, will the young stable boy support the rebellion that has cost him so dearly?
With enemies closing in, the Prince's fate now rests in the hands of a stable boy and a maid with a white cockade.
Who will survive this deadly game of hide-and-seek?
Following the death of his father, 13-year-old Archie MacDonald has lost faith in the Jacobite Cause. Having witnessed their clan's terrible defeat at the Battle of Culloden, Archie and his feisty cousin Meg flee back to Lochaber to lie low.
Or so they think.
Until the fugitive Prince's life depends on them.
When Prince Charles Edward Stuart looks to the people of Borrodale for help, will the young stable boy support the rebellion that has cost him so dearly?
With enemies closing in, the Prince's fate now rests in the hands of a stable boy and a maid with a white cockade.
Who will survive this deadly game of hide-and-seek?
- GenresHistorical Fiction
165 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 18, 2022
3 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 27, 2022
Prince Charles Edward Stuart needs assistance.
The Reluctant Rebel is just fabulous and has all the hallmarks I’ve come to expect from Barbara Henderson’s brilliant writing for children.
Firstly, there’s a breath-takingly exciting plot that is steeped in historical accuracy that can only arise from meticulous research. The tone created through Archie’s first person account is spot on; it’s totally accessible to young readers and yet sounds so much part of the era of the book, bringing the era alive.
Particularly poignant at the moment, given current world events, The Reluctant Rebel gives relatable insight into why different sides fight and what the consequences are for those ordinary people caught up in conflict. I think it would be a perfect catalyst for discussion in both school and home. Barbara Henderson always gives a strong voice to the lowly of society, the servants and children, so that she affords them a status and respect young readers will love. Archie isn’t entirely convinced the cause is worth the losses suffered and through him the author illustrates that decisions are not always easy to make. I thought Barbara Henderson’s ability to be thought provoking in an accessible manner was absolutely spot on.
Themes of family, loyalty, grief and bravery are pinned to the narrative like the white cockade attached to Meg’s hair so that Barbara Henderson illustrates so effectively how helping and supporting those we care about is a valid, valiant activity. Through Archie and Meg the author conveys a morality that feels authentic without being preachy or patronising. There’s a real deftness of touch here that shows just how well the author understands her target audience.
Whilst The Reluctant Rebel is an exciting story for independent individual readers, it would make a superb book for a KS2 classroom. Steeped in history, brilliantly written in a way that models the effective use of description, tension and direct speech especially well, with an historical timeline and glossary included, there’s so much here to ignite a child’s imagination, to inspire and to explore.
In The Reluctant Rebel Barbara Henderson brings history to life magnificently. She’s a real talent and it’s a privilege to have read The Reluctant Rebel. I loved this story. Don’t miss out on it, whatever age you are!
The Reluctant Rebel is just fabulous and has all the hallmarks I’ve come to expect from Barbara Henderson’s brilliant writing for children.
Firstly, there’s a breath-takingly exciting plot that is steeped in historical accuracy that can only arise from meticulous research. The tone created through Archie’s first person account is spot on; it’s totally accessible to young readers and yet sounds so much part of the era of the book, bringing the era alive.
Particularly poignant at the moment, given current world events, The Reluctant Rebel gives relatable insight into why different sides fight and what the consequences are for those ordinary people caught up in conflict. I think it would be a perfect catalyst for discussion in both school and home. Barbara Henderson always gives a strong voice to the lowly of society, the servants and children, so that she affords them a status and respect young readers will love. Archie isn’t entirely convinced the cause is worth the losses suffered and through him the author illustrates that decisions are not always easy to make. I thought Barbara Henderson’s ability to be thought provoking in an accessible manner was absolutely spot on.
Themes of family, loyalty, grief and bravery are pinned to the narrative like the white cockade attached to Meg’s hair so that Barbara Henderson illustrates so effectively how helping and supporting those we care about is a valid, valiant activity. Through Archie and Meg the author conveys a morality that feels authentic without being preachy or patronising. There’s a real deftness of touch here that shows just how well the author understands her target audience.
Whilst The Reluctant Rebel is an exciting story for independent individual readers, it would make a superb book for a KS2 classroom. Steeped in history, brilliantly written in a way that models the effective use of description, tension and direct speech especially well, with an historical timeline and glossary included, there’s so much here to ignite a child’s imagination, to inspire and to explore.
In The Reluctant Rebel Barbara Henderson brings history to life magnificently. She’s a real talent and it’s a privilege to have read The Reluctant Rebel. I loved this story. Don’t miss out on it, whatever age you are!
June 8, 2022
It's the aftermath of the battle of Culloden. The Jacobite forces are routed, and Bonnie Prince Charlie is on the run. Archie has no time for the Jacobites - his father died at the battle of Prestonpans in service of the Young Pretender, so doesn't think he owes them anything. His cousin Meg, on the other hand, is a true believer in the Cause (always with a capital C).
But as the government forces search the country for the prince, brutally putting down any Jacobite resistance, the savage oppression of his people radicalises Archie enough to help the Jacobites. There's a sophisticated exploration of why people fight in this book, and a refreshing lack of sentimentality about the Bonnie Prince, who, after all, used his Highland allies in his own self-interest, then fled to France, leaving the Jacobites to suffer the consequences. The difference between Archie and Meg's attitudes to the Cause provides plenty of tension, and a good exploration of the complexity of the situation.
The historical detail is superb, as you'd expect from Barbara Henderson, but more importantly it's a cracking good story, full of drama and excitement.
But as the government forces search the country for the prince, brutally putting down any Jacobite resistance, the savage oppression of his people radicalises Archie enough to help the Jacobites. There's a sophisticated exploration of why people fight in this book, and a refreshing lack of sentimentality about the Bonnie Prince, who, after all, used his Highland allies in his own self-interest, then fled to France, leaving the Jacobites to suffer the consequences. The difference between Archie and Meg's attitudes to the Cause provides plenty of tension, and a good exploration of the complexity of the situation.
The historical detail is superb, as you'd expect from Barbara Henderson, but more importantly it's a cracking good story, full of drama and excitement.
December 30, 2022
Another fabulous tale from the irrepressible and talented story teller, Barbara Henderson.
Archie MacDonald may be the wee sheòid of the story, but so too is his cousin Meg. There are always strong women in Barbara’s books, which I like. She manages to navigate a path of well researched, historically accurate fact, with gripping fiction, bringing history to life in an interesting and exciting way. And this story is certainly a gripping one. It doesn’t shy away from the blood and terror and awfulness, but it focuses on family, love and loyalty from the perspective of people whose stories are rarely told in history: women and children.
The reluctant rebel will have you racing around the Scottish Highlands and your emotions running riot. A spectacular adventure for rebels of any age - reluctant or otherwise.
Archie MacDonald may be the wee sheòid of the story, but so too is his cousin Meg. There are always strong women in Barbara’s books, which I like. She manages to navigate a path of well researched, historically accurate fact, with gripping fiction, bringing history to life in an interesting and exciting way. And this story is certainly a gripping one. It doesn’t shy away from the blood and terror and awfulness, but it focuses on family, love and loyalty from the perspective of people whose stories are rarely told in history: women and children.
The reluctant rebel will have you racing around the Scottish Highlands and your emotions running riot. A spectacular adventure for rebels of any age - reluctant or otherwise.
October 20, 2024
I picked this up while visiting the Culloden battle site in Scotland while the author was doing a book signing. I wasn't familiar with Ms. Henderson's work, but as she explains in the author's note, as a child's book author, she strives to write historical fiction from a child's point of view.
The narrator in The Reluctant Rebel is a 13-year old stablehand, who is joined by his younger cousin, Meg. It was really enjoyable reading about the aftermath of Culloden from their alternative perspective, and I thought as the main characters, they were well-written and relatable.
Would certainly recommend - especially to anyone hoping to introduce the history of Culloden to a younger audience.
The narrator in The Reluctant Rebel is a 13-year old stablehand, who is joined by his younger cousin, Meg. It was really enjoyable reading about the aftermath of Culloden from their alternative perspective, and I thought as the main characters, they were well-written and relatable.
Would certainly recommend - especially to anyone hoping to introduce the history of Culloden to a younger audience.
July 19, 2022
What a cracking read! Difficult to put down... great use of cliffhangers, the thoughts and feelings of the two main characters, a busy storyline. Fully recommend this, and especially suitable for classroom reading. Another success story!
July 16, 2024
A nice children's story built around the aftermath of Culloden. The writing is at times awkward and lacks some depth, but on the whole it is a pleasant read for kids that can help them bring the story of Bonnie Prince Charlie alive.
December 2, 2023
Excellent young adult book. I bought this in Scotland at the site of the Battle of Culloden, so it made even more sense to me. I am giving to my grandnephew to read!
May 23, 2025
Really good, I liked how it showed / explained the war.
December 11, 2022
A page turner! Bought for a teen niece who enjoys her history this was a very satisfying read for the old uncle.
Based on research there were lots of new info for me and the author painted a realistic rather than traditional romantic view of the immediate months after the Battle of Culloden.
At the end, Henderson explains her process and added another layer for the reader on how she created the fictional characters to blend with the known characters and facts.
To me, it was like an episode from TV's '24' with the daily events after 1746's Battle.
Based on research there were lots of new info for me and the author painted a realistic rather than traditional romantic view of the immediate months after the Battle of Culloden.
At the end, Henderson explains her process and added another layer for the reader on how she created the fictional characters to blend with the known characters and facts.
To me, it was like an episode from TV's '24' with the daily events after 1746's Battle.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews