Time Enough for Drums

The historical content is, as always, top-tier because this is Ann Rinaldi and it could be no other way. I slowly reluctantly began to like Jemima nearer the end. What is it with age-gap relationships !! I. hm. Anyway, good stuff aside from that thumbsup I wanted to slap Becky

Time Enough for Drums is a classic novel of the American Revolution. In it we watch Jemima Emerson grow from a childish fifteen-year-old to a mature woman as she attempts to hold on to whatever parts of her life she can in the face of the chaos of war. Trenton, New Jersey, in December 1775, is a place standing on the brink of change and Jem's family is no exception. Her elder brother is forming a regiment for the Continental Army and her younger brother wants nothing more than to join the fight as well. All Jem really wants to to somehow escape her tutor, the Tory John Reid, and do her part for what she sees as her country. Whether that's helping her friend Nathaniel Moore or rebellion against the demand's of John Reid, it all seems a show more bit like a game. Until an accidental discovery dramatically raises the stakes and war comes to Trenton. With everything changing, is it any surprise that Jem changes too?

Probably Rinaldi's best work, it's what we would now call YA, but covers Jem's early adulthood as well as her teen years. Full of adventure, family, romance, and a lot of growing up, it manages to show the hardships of war and the power of human resilience without ever losing heart. Highly recommended for those who enjoy historical fiction, well written teen-centered novels, and novels set on the homefront. show less

I originally read Time Enough for Drums fifteen years a go. I was going through an American Revolution phase, discovered this book at the library and fell in love. I must have read it five or six times in the span of three years. Then, I got busy with other books and genres and this book went to the back of my mind. However, every once in a while, I'd think about it again, but no longer could remember the title or author. Finally, I took to Google and Goodreads and lucked out in rediscovering this book.

Time Enough for Drums takes place at the beginning of the American Revolution. Jem, our young narrator, is a staunch Patriot and a free spirit. (At times, she reminds me of Anne Shirley). Her brother, Dan, joins the Continental Army show more while her parents and herself support them from their home city. She has a tutor, John Reid, a known Tory whom she despises because of his strict nature and allegiance to the King of England. As time progresses, she discovers some shocking truths about John he is really an American spy! that changes the way she sees him and her feelings towards him. Although their relationship is certainly a major part of the plot, it is by no means the crux of this story. That belongs to the trials and tribulations Jem and her family face as a result of the Revolution.

Nostalgia may play a part in it, but I found this most current time reading it as wonderful as all the previous ones. show less

This is a comparatively brief book for the time and events it covers. However, it does not feel as though the story is rushed, glossed over or shallow. In fact the characters are well developed, and their subsequent growth is understandable and clear. The slowly developed romance between Jemima Emerson and John Reid is likely the highlight of the story for its readers. In addition to its more lighthearted appeal, the novel does present a great deal of history and successfully conveys feelings about the events of the time. The conflicts within a family, as its members support different sides is particularly thought provoking

Ann Rinaldi was one of my favourite authors as a young teen, and I found this one while going through some old books at my parents' house. I remember liking it at the time, but now I am just astonished at the premise of the novel -- a handsome young British man tutoring a teenage girl and eventually marrying her. As someone who works in education this is not exactly something that I would like to condone or recommend to teens or teachers! I still enjoyed rereading the novel, but growing up has spoiled the plot a little for me.

I have always loved historical fiction and Ann Rinaldi writes great YA level books in this genre. I find that she writes books that pretty accurate factually and that also have great characters who I am interested in learning how they live in the time period they exist in.

Time Enough For Drums is a fairly predictable book from the back cover. You know Jem is going to fall for a Tory. It's not the destination that's important though, it's the journey. This book was lovely and a quaint historical fiction book which would be appropriate for the younger teen set.