My Brother Sam Is Dead by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier is widely praised for its realistic portrayal of the American Revolutionary War and complex characters, especially in depicting a family's divided loyalties. However, some critics find its graphic content and slow pacing unsuitable for younger readers. Overall, it’s a compelling yet controversial historical novel.

Readers who enjoy historical fiction like Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes or The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare will appreciate My Brother Sam Is Dead by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier. Ideal for middle school students, it combines a gripping narrative with Revolutionary War settings and themes of loyalty and conflict.

My Brother Sam Is Dead by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier is set during the American Revolutionary War and follows Tim Meeker, a young boy whose family is torn apart when his brother, Sam, joins the Patriot forces. Tim grapples with loyalty and the harsh realities of war as his family faces severe hardships. The novel explores the impact of war on family dynamics and personal growth. The story contains scenes of violence and death in war.

Melancholic / Challenging / Emotional / Dark / Suspenseful

- My Brother Sam Is Dead received a Newbery Honor in 1975, recognizing it as a distinguished contribution to American literature for children.
- Most editions of the book include maps and illustrations to help readers better visualize the historical setting and context of the story.
- The authors, James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier, are brothers, and Christopher Collier's expertise as a historian adds depth and authenticity to the book's portrayal of the Revolutionary War era.

**Tim Meeker**  
The first-person narrator and protagonist, Tim is a young boy coming of age during the Revolutionary War, who struggles with the complexities of loyalty and family.

**Sam Meeker**  
Tim’s older brother, a fervent supporter of the Patriot cause, whose passion and drive highlight his youthful rebellion and commitment to independence.

**Eliphalet Meeker/Father**  
The father of Tim and Sam, who runs a tavern and holds loyalist views, embodying conflict through his opposition to the Patriot movement and concern for family survival.

**Susannah Meeker/Mother**  
Tim and Sam’s mother, who is focused on family and daily life, offering a perspective on the personal costs of war and the endurance required of those on the home front.

**Betsy Read**  
Sam’s girlfriend with strong Patriot sympathies, whose character illustrates how war affects personal relationships and expectations for the future.

James Lincoln Collier

Christopher Collier

Middle grade

Novel

Brother Sam Trilogy

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

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Overview

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My Brother Sam Is Dead Summary

Background

My Brother Sam Is Dead Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-4

My Brother Sam Is Dead Chapters 1-4 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 5-8

My Brother Sam Is Dead Chapters 5-8 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 9-11

My Brother Sam Is Dead Chapters 9-11 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 12-14 and Epilogue

My Brother Sam Is Dead Chapters 12-14 and Epilogue Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

My Brother Sam Is Dead Character Analysis

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Themes

My Brother Sam Is Dead Themes

Symbols & Motifs

My Brother Sam Is Dead Symbols & Motifs

Literary Devices

My Brother Sam Is Dead Literary Devices

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Important Quotes

My Brother Sam Is Dead Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

My Brother Sam Is Dead Essay Topics

My Brother Sam Is Dead

Before You Read

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