Children's Books Too Cool for School

My Brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoln Collier (A "Top 50 Post")

I feel like I'm being a little unfair, here. I didn't put Johnny Tremain on my list, and that's unfair because 1) I loved Johnny Tremain in 5th grade and 2) My appreciation of My Brother Sam is Dead is probably because of the contrast it makes with Johnny Tremain.

So, let's pretend I put Johnny Tremain at number 51, okay? Then let's discuss why I think My Brother Sam is Dead is a better book.

In the end, it all comes down to ending. Sure, Tremain is a compelling story but it just wraps up too nicely. This is war we are talking about, right? That's what the Colliers give the reader -- a real picture of war.

More to the point, they avoid over-exaggerated "America YEAH!" depictions of the American Revolution, showing not only all the warts, but frankly depicting the fact that a great number of colonists were not on the side of G. Washington and crew.

To be fair, this means that My Brother Sam is dead is also appropriate for an older audience than Johnny Tremain. Let's call this one a tie instead.