The Matchlock Gun
Author:Walter D. Edmonds
Illustrator: Paul Lantz
John Newberry Medal Winner
Publisher: Penguin Putnam Books/ New York 1998
Genre: Historical Fiction
Themes: French and Indian War, pioneer life, frontier life, courage
Primary Characters: Edward
Secondary Characters: Mama, papa, Trudy
Summary:
Dear Edward was left as the man of the house as his father was called to fight of the French and Indians from their little town. Edward was only ten years old but his father taught him how to use the old matchlock gun. The gun was more than twice as long at Edward and easily three times as heavy. One evening, his mother goes to the field to gather bean pods. She lives Trudy in the care of her bigger brother Edward and propped the gun on a table pointing out a crack in the blind. She tells him if she comes running and yells her name to light the gun. Edward is nervous but wants to protect his family and serve his daddy proud. Time goes by and he hears nothing. Then suddenly his mother is running down the path calling of their family members’ names. Then suddenly he hears feet of Indians and then his name is called. Does Edward have enough courage to light the gun and save his mother? There are historically accurate facts throughout the story and can be used in conjunction with studies on the French Indian War and frontieer life.
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