Rebellion 1776 by Laurie Halse Anderson The author's purpose in writing "Rebellion 1776" is to illuminate the lesser-known stories and perspectives from the American Revolution, highlighting the complexities of the era. Laurie Halse Anderson aims to provide readers with a deeper understanding of the diverse voices and experiences that shaped the revolutionary period. By doing so, she seeks to challenge traditional narratives and encourage readers to critically examine historical events. Anderson delves into the experiences of enslaved individuals who sought freedom amidst the chaos of war. She also explores the roles of women who contributed to the revolution in various capacities, often overlooked in traditional accounts. Additionally, the book sheds light on the perspectives of Indigenous peoples who navigated the shifting allegiances and threats to their lands during this tumultuous time.

Enjoyed this middle school historical fiction book! In a time period where kids had to grow up fast due to the war, smallpox, and survival, Elsbeth is trying to do all that, as well as find her father. This happens during the early months of 1776, as Bostonians begin the fight for their lives, as well as independence. While a nation fights, Elsbeth is trying to survive, while taking care of a well-to-do family, as they rage through smallpox. I like the way Ms. Anderson talks to the reader at times as well. Although this is considered a middle school level book, there are some high school students that might like this historical fiction read as well. Thanks to Ms. Anderson, Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, and NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Set in Revolutionary Boston, this story follows Elsbeth, a teenage girl marked by grief and resilience. After losing her mother and siblings to smallpox, she and her father moved to the city, where she took a job as a maid for a wealthy Loyalist family. But Elsbeth has bigger dreams—she longs to become a seamstress and create a better future for herself. As revolution brews and unrest spreads through Boston, Elsbeth’s world begins to unravel. Her father vanishes without a trace, her best friend takes up arms, and threats grow all around her—from the return of deadly illness to the chaos of war.

A perfect middle grade read. You can tell that much research went into the writing of this book.

Rebellion 1776 tells the story of 13-year-old Elsbeth Culpepper in Boston during the birth of our nation. Most of this story centers in her experiences as a servant who searches for her missing father in a city dealing more with smallpox than the Revolutionary War. Historical fiction aficionados will love all the detail included by Anderson, but they'll have to get past the 416 pages or 10 hours of audio required to make it to the end of Elsbeth's tale.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atheneum for the advance digital copy. All opinions expressed are my own as a middle school teacher with an extensive classroom library. No concerns about anything inappropriate for fellow parochial school teachers.

it's been a while since i read a middle grade book, and much longer since i last read Laurie Halse Anderson, so this was a nice treat! a straightforward and fairly fast read, interesting in its historical details and compelling in its emotional arc, even though i felt like it could have gone deeper in that aspect.

Elsbeth, the book's plucky narrator, is a young teenager employed as a maid in Boston during the American Revolution. one of the first main upheavals of her circumstances in the story is the expulsion of the British army from the city, and the mysterious disappearance of her father in the same night; these national and personal stakes continue to run through the narrative, but most of the drama comes from Elsbeth's day-to-day, finding herself suddenly alone and a maid-of-all-work to a family with six (i think? i lost count!) children.

i think this is just the way of it with historical fiction, which i don't often read, but the beats of the plot inevitably revolved around the progress of historical events: war news, smallpox (and inoculation, which was very interesting!), independence declared in Philadelphia, and the eventual neat tying-up of threads loosened by these circumstances. there was a little bit of mystery (i wished there had been more), some interesting interpersonal triumphs and heartaches (i also wished there had been more of this, or deeper explorations), and quite a few really charming scenes of Elsbeth with her chickens or the family cow. overall the writing was excellent, as i anticipated from Anderson, but i kept wishing for a the highs and lows to be higher and lower. for a book with "rebellion" in the title, the action was always pretty mild!

that said, i think it would be a great choice for middle grade readers who are in it more for the history than the excitement of the plot (and a great choice for grown-up readers who are into that too).

I've been a fan of Anderson's writing since I was a kid, and I have often felt like her historical fiction books are slept on. This was a really interesting read, as it explored two historical events that were happening at the same time, a smallpox epidemic and the American Revolution. We often think of historical events happening in a vacuum, but history is not so straightforward. Smallpox and the discourse around vaccinations was happening at the same time as America was declaring its independence, and many of these issues are still relevant today. I loved this book and have already ordered it for my library.

Laurie Halse Anderson was my favorite author in high school, which was also the last time I read a new book of hers. I was excited to get my hands on a new story by an author whose work was so important to me as a teenager, even though I haven't read any of her other historical fiction books. I was happy to see that many of Anderson's hallmarks are still present--a likable protagonist, complex female relationships, minimum romance, and a willingness to incorporate some darkness into a story aimed at a younger audience. The problem with Rebellion 1776--which really should be called Smallpox: The Novel--is that it's also, well, boring. At times, painfully boring. There are brief moments of interest when the story suddenly picks up pace, but they are woefully few and far between. Perhaps it's because I'm not the target audience anymore, but it may prove that children have even less patience in this case. Anderson clearly did her research, and she does a good job of transporting the reader back to the early days of the American Revolution. But the story itself was disappointing, I'm afraid.

I’m more of a mystery/thriller girl, but I read Rebellion 1776 for my students—and I’m so glad I did. The story follows a brave young girl caught in the chaos of war, exploring loyalty, identity, and freedom. A powerful, eye-opening read that made history feel real and urgent.

I absolutely love the Seeds of America trilogy by this same author. I was so excited as Rebellion 1776 began in much the same way. Each chapter begins with a quote from a primary source: newspaper articles, journals, letters from people great and small including Abigail Adams, Benjamin Franklin and George Washington. These quotes root the story in the reality of the time period.

However, the storyline here was not quite as compelling to me. I know I probably shouldn’t be comparing the two, I can’t help it… In Chains, we follow an enslaved teen who becomes a spy during the American Revolution. In Rebellion 1776, we follow a teen who is stuck being a maidservant after her father has disappeared from town. Although smallpox is spreading throughout town and there are rumors of battles, there never seems to feel like there are high stakes. The plot stays pretty tame with some climactic moments sprinkled in. The 400 pages took me several months to finish as I read it in stops and starts and never felt compelled to pick it up.

I know there will be some middle grade readers who love history and will love learning about the time period through fiction. The characters were amusing and probably the best part of the story. This standalone may still be worth reading for history buffs, but I recommend starting with Chains if you’d like a Revolutionary time period historical masterpiece.

If you pick up this book expecting a smallpox epidemic... well, it does eventually happen but not for a good long while. Instead, we follow the path of a 13-year-old girl whose family has mostly died of smallpox and whose last remaining relative - her father - vanishes during the chaos of the Patriot conquest of Boston, leaving her to fend for herself. We follow the events of 1776 from her point of view, focusing on the minutia of trying to live through the chaos of war, until the slow-burn smallpox outbreak does finally reach epidemic levels with catastrophic consequences. Come for the smallpox, stay for the history, household drama, and evolving friendships.

This book has a very authentic feel, and reading through the notes at the end, you can appreciate how much research Anderson put into this. I just wish there had a been a little more about what was going on in the war at the same time, although this could be a reflection of how little the citizens of Boston knew at the time as well.
I really liked the use of quotes at the beginning of each chapter, and the depiction of the way townspeople were confused as to which "side" they should be on. It was not unusual for people to "switch" sides and end up estranged from other family members due to their differences.

I really enjoyed how the book was true to the 18th century life style. The book felt very authentic. I loved the insults Elsbeth would hurl at people, and herself. The book moved along at a good pace, and I enjoyed seeing the American Revolution through the eyes of Elsbeth. The author did a lot of research for this book and it showed.

I tried reading this a few different times, including once on audio. I just struggled to get into it. Like I was interested for the first chapter, and then I already didn’t really care what became of Elsbeth. I did really like the historical quotes at the beginning of each chapter though.

A tale of a scrappy young woman surviving the harsh daily realitiy of life during the American War of Independence Shows some of the .miseries and inequalities of the time but remains uplifting.

"Rebellion 1776" is a great representation of what life was like living in Boston during the Revolutionary War. While I thought this was going to be about the war itself, this book centered more on civilian life in Boston, specifically the effects of the smallpox epidemic. Although this was heartbreaking and tragic at times, I feel that it is very appropriate for children. This was my first Laurie Halse Anderson book but it will not be my last!
#Rebellion1776 #NetGalley

Laurie Halse Anderson is at the top of her game for YA historical fiction. I love how she tells a story about a specific place and time, but centers around ordinary citizens and how they may have lived in this time in history. The teen girl in Rebellion 1776 shows us a life of servitude and navigating the small pox epidemic.

I am learning more and more how much I really enjoy historical fiction. Rebellion 1776 is set in Boston in —that’s right, 1776! Elsbeth Culpepper is 13 years old and finds employment as a housemaid to the Pike family. Unfortunately, she has had to grow up and has experienced so much pain already in her short life. Her father, her only living relative, and her are separated during the Siege of Boston and she is anxiously awaits his return. During this time the smallpox epidemic takes hold and she shares with the Pike family how she lost her mother and siblings to the illness. Because of the way she explains the horrific illness and death, Missus Pike decides, finally to inoculate her family.

Elsbeth for all of her traumas, she is funny and cunning. Her personality truly came through the pages for me.

This book is a wonderful way to educate middle schoolers about this time period and provides thought provoking questions. Anderson truly did her research and the historical pieces were spot on. I could see it be used to discuss history, science and of course, language arts.

I read an advanced reader copy of this book and I thank NetGalley Simon and Shuster/Atheneum Children’s Publishing for the opportunity in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 3.75/5 stars.

I really like Laurie Halse Anderson, and the cover also drew me in on this one. I think this is a good middle grade novel, and it also discusses a lot of the revolution that's not talked about. The common people and the wealthier ones who get left out in the histories that kept going with the war. It also deals a LOT with Smallpox (and it is gross at some points). It took me forever to read just because I was reading it at work, but I did enjoy it! The ending made me sad though.

This was an informative and interesting story. Told from a child's perspective it was very sad. You felt fie the characters

Rebellion 1776 was an engaging middle grade historical fiction. Even though I only read children's books when I do our library kids book club, I quickly became invested in Elsbeth's life in 1776 Boston. She is working as a maid during a smallpox epidemic and really goes through a lot with the family that she works for. I read/listened to the audio and can think of several young ladies that I know who would enjoy this read.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 1 April 2025