Rebellion 1776

Three starred reviews!

From New York Times bestselling author Laurie Halse Anderson comes an “thoroughly researched, emotionally resonant” (Booklist, starred review) historical fiction middle grade adventure about a girl struggling to survive amid a smallpox epidemic, the public’s fear of inoculation, and the seething Revolutionary War.

In the spring of 1776, thirteen-year-old Elsbeth Culpepper wakes to the sound of cannons. It’s the Siege of Boston, the Patriots’ massive drive to push the Loyalists out that turns the city into a chaotic war zone. Elsbeth’s father—her only living relative—has gone missing, leaving her alone and adrift in a broken town while desperately seeking employment to avoid the orphanage.

Just when things couldn’t feel worse, the smallpox epidemic sweeps across Boston. Now, Bostonians must fight for their lives against an invisible enemy in addition to the visible one. While a treatment is being frantically fine-tuned, thousands of people rush in from the countryside begging for inoculation. At the same time, others refuse protection, for the treatment is crude at best and at times more dangerous than the disease itself.

Elsbeth, who had smallpox as a small child and is now immune, finds work taking care of a large, wealthy family with discord of their own as they await a turn at inoculation, but as the epidemic and the revolution rage on, will she find her father?

Laurie Halse Anderson is the New York Times-bestselling author who writes for kids of all ages. Known for tackling tough subjects with humor and sensitivity, her work has earned numerous American Library Association and state awards. Two of her books, Speak and Chains, were National Book Award finalists. Chains also earned a spot on the Carnegie Medal Short List.

Laurie received the 2009 Margaret A. Edwards Award given by the Young Adult Library Services Association division of the American Library Association for her "significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature."

Mother of four and wife of one, Laurie lives in Northern New York State, an hour south of the Canadian border, where she likes to watch the snow fall as she writes. Right now she's finishing up her next YA novel and researching Ashes, which will conclude the adventure of Isabel and Curzon that readers enjoyed in her historical novels Chains and Forge.

You'll find loads more information about Laurie and her books on her website: http://madwomanintheforest.com/. You can follow her adventures on Twitter, http://twitter.com/halseanderson, on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/lauriehalseanderson, and on her blog, http://madwomanintheforest.com/blog/.

Rebellion 1776 is a gripping novel that takes place smack in the middle of a revolution. Laurie Halse Anderson (Speak; Shout; The Seeds of America trilogy) applies her trademark humor, sensitivity, and prodigious other talents to the Revolutionary War, this time from the sharp-witted perspective of a 13-year-old white kitchen maid. [...] Elsbeth's brave though risky stands against unfairness mark her as a feminist in spirit, if not in name. Anderson's fluid and lively storytelling is on full display in Elsbeth's thrilling exploits, clever manipulations, and hilarious wordplay, which shows up in biting parenthetical asides and entertaining insults like "foggy-brained numbskull" and "Captain Fizzlefart." Rebellion 1776 brings the American Revolution to street level, shining a brilliant light on the relevance history always has for the present. -- Shelf Awareness *STARRED REVIEW* ― 4/11/25

[I]ts themes echo our current tensions: vaccine detractors versus promoters, royalists versus patriots, misogyny versus feminism, old ways of living and loving versus new ways of being true to oneself. [...] There is a fair bit of skulduggery as well — stolen fortunes, false accusations, thefts, betrayals — that adds mystery and suspense.. [...] Filled with immersive detail, expert delineations of complex characters, and both harsh and loving reality, “Rebellion 1776” provides young readers with a true experience of a historic moment in time that resonates with today’s world. To use Elsbeth’s celebratory last word, “Huzzah!” -- New York Times ― 3/21/25

One of the narrative’s strengths is Anderson’s ability to create realistically flawed yet often appealing characters and relationships; another is how fully and sensitively she portrays the female characters’ reactions to the limited rights and roles of women in their society. Each chapter opens with a short, relevant quote from the correspondence, journals, or diaries of a notable such as Abigail Adams, John Adams, Ben Franklin, or George Washington. A thoroughly researched, emotionally resonant historical novel. -- Booklist, STARRED Review ― 02/01/2025

This well-crafted novel by Anderson (Shout) opens in March 1776, on the eve of the Loyalists’ forced evacuation of Boston. Period details of daily life during the events of the founding of the United State immerse readers in the era, and plot points become compellingly relevant to contemporary times when Boston is hit by the smallpox epidemic and controversies about inoculation abound. -- Publishers Weekly ― 2/3/2025

Told through Elsbeth’s clever, feminist, often-humorous perspective, this original and timely story immerses readers in her observations on an epidemic and vaccination, early American politics and society, and the meaning of family. Engrossing, entertaining, and heartfelt. -- Kirkus ― 02/1/25

Another masterly account of colonial life from Anderson. [...] The plot is action-packed, reflecting the unprecedented times of the era. Each chapter opens with a quote from a contemporary historical figure, cementing the sense of time and place. Colorful dialogue, including period-accurate insults, i.e., “dunderhead” and “numbskull,” add authenticity. [...] Readers can draw several parallels between Elsbeth’s life and modern times, such as the debate over smallpox inoculation. [...] A must-buy for historical fiction collections, ­especially where Anderson’s Chains and Fever 1793 are popular. -- School Library Journal ― 3/1/25

"Often a footnote in Revolutionary War history, the smallpox epidemic is the focus of Anderson’s compelling and well-researched tale of human frailty and perseverance, fear and courage amid dire circumstances. Through Elsbeth’s whip-smart first-person narration (with asides to readers in parentheses) plus quotes from historical letters opening each chapter, readers learn about the disease, its symptoms and deadliness, the measures taken to contain it, and people’s fear of inoculation. Anderson’s return to historical