Born as twins thirteen years earlier, Alexander and Amanda Lee had been inseparable ever since. They had grown up in a loving home, a small farm in Virginia during the 1700s. They both found security and support on this farm; As part of a famous family, their parents were able to provide them with a well-developed education, including tutoring in language arts. However, they became more than just intelligent and learned. Thanks to the care of their parents and parishioners at their local church, both Alexander and Amanda became quite skilled at using guns and hard work on the farm. Through it all, the virtues of faith, patriotism, and family became the center of their lives.
When the revolution swept through the colonies, however, they knew they must be part of the battle for independence from Great Britain. Having been brought up with stories from their famous uncle, Richard Lee, they wanted to experience all that the world at large had to offer, despite the dangers of war. Finding a way to join the battle became a passion for both of them. A bigger boy, Alexander could pass for sixteen, old enough to properly enlist in the Continental Army. Through a little more deception and cunning, Amanda would soon follow, learning fighting skills that would be necessary for the victory of the burgeoning army of the country that would be the United States. Along the way, they would meet the most illustrious figures of the time, including General Washington and Benjamin Franklin. Despite the challenges they faced over the years, Alexander and Amanda stayed true to their values as well as to each other.
In Fighting for Freedom and General Washington, Michael Justin Lee offers readers a riveting, historically-based young adult novel. Although the story of two young twins going to war may seem questionable at first glance, the plot is well-executed and credible, avoiding many of the common pitfalls found in similar writing. The introduction of historical figures like Washington and Franklin is not artificial, but rather accurate based on their writings and their activities during the war. Also, these posts by famous founding fathers and wrestlers are fluently written and avoid long paragraphs of explanatory material. Furthermore, the language of the novel is appropriate for the time period and is still easily understandable to young readers today. All in all, Lee’s novel has a well-paced plot, an enjoyable writing style, and certainly maintains historical accuracy in its presentation.
In fact, Lee has done an incredible job writing a young adult historical novel that will teach, inspire, and entertain. In a market that seems dominated by zombies and vampires, his Fighting for Freedom and General Washington will definitely appeal to more conservative readers who will appreciate the values that form the basis of the work. Parents, especially those who are homeschooling or perhaps just want to spark some interest in American history among their children, will find in this novel a perfect starting point for discussion or perhaps a related study partner. Written for younger readers, this novel is also appropriate for adult readers who want an easy and patriotic read. Fighting for Freedom and General Washington by Michael Justin Lee offers something for all readers and is a welcome addition to the young adult books now available.
