Book: My Name Is America; The Journal Of William Thomas Emerson

By: Barry Denenberg

Grades: 5^th -6^th

Synopsis: This is a fictional journal from Will, a 12–year-old boy in Boston, during 1774-1775. His journal entries take you through a boyÕs daily life while also incorporating the effect of imminent war on his activities and thoughts. This is a valuable look into the life of a colonial boy who does not have a family, and is taken in as a worker.

Will is a boy of better circumstance, as Mr. Wilson who takes him with him to Boston to work for Mrs. Thompson discovers him on the road, upon his running away. There are entries, by Will, that talk about other boys who are not so fortunate, and he also knows a harder life. When he ran away it was due to his abusive home life after the death of his parents. He understands that his new situation is much better than the life he had before.

Considering his fortune, Will sets out to be of use to Mr. Wilson and Mrs. Thompson. He helps Mrs. Thompson run her tavern and takes care of her young daughter. In the process of working for Mrs. Thompson he is privilege to political talks and meetings that are taking place in the tavern between Mr. Wilson and some of the other men in town. Will knows that times are stressful with the British in Boston so he is loyal to the Patriots and keeps the secrets he overhears. Even from his friend Henry.

Mr. Wilson is aware that Will has overheard his meetings yet he also senses WillÕs loyalty. He allows Will to be an active participant in errands and missions for the Patriots. Will is both sharp and observant so is able to pass messages between townsmen in addition to discovering spies within the colony.

Life in the colony is difficult under the tight reigns of the British army who bully the colonists just because they can. Will faces the loss of his dear friend Henry who was beaten and killed by the British soldiers one afternoon for being among some boys who were throwing snowballs at the soldiers. Will understands the importance of his freedom.

The Revolutionary War breaks out and colonists are leaving to join the Patriot army in the countryside or staying in Boston to keep their homes. Many of the friends Will has come to know leave, though Will decided to stay with Mrs. Thompson. He helps her keep up her tavern and does what he can to support his colony.

Critique: I enjoy the Dear America series though they are fictitious journals. There is a sense of relation to the characters struggles and excitements that studentÕs will more than likely pick up on. There is a person within the story for almost all readers.

There are some exchanges in this book that may bring up questions regarding the times. The Native Americans are called Indians, but that is historically correct for the way a young colonist would have referred to Native People. The manner in which people spoke has relevance to a unit on the history of this time. It is a valuable resource to use in a classroom as a read aloud or independent reading.

Vocabulary: extract, pillory, scarcer, baubles, blockade, quenches, submission, meagerness, clutching, demented, racket, merriment, fanciful, inevitably, militia

Creative Activity: Create a secret code message in a letter.

Materials: paper & pens

Time: 30-40 minutes

Process: 1) Have students think of the code they want to use in their letter & make a key.

2) Students make a rough draft

3) Put the letter into final format

                        4) Trade letters with a partner and decode your letter