1812

1. 1812 Genre: Historical Fiction Setting: 1812 Upper Canada # of Pages: 172 Kyle Goyak

2. John Ibbitson • John Ibbitson is 57 years old • He currently lives in Ottawa On. • Currently Ottawa Bureau Chief for The Globe and Mail. • Other books he wrote are “The Landing” and “The Night Hazel Came to Town”. • Some Interesting facts are that he covered Ontario politics from 1995-2001. He has been nominated for several awards including the Governor General’s award. He was the Washington Bureau Chief at the Globe and Mail in 2001.

3. Main Characters Jeremy Fields Jeremy is 15 years old Big for his age Brown Hair Batman to General Brock Jeremy is uncivilized, rude, obstinate, proud, and honest. Not a conversationalist. He is a hard worker. He is an orphan General Isaac Brock Unusually tall and Robust. 6ft2 Blonde hair Broad, with no fat. Face is wide, with a firm jaw, and a strong mouth. Blonde hair and pale skin makes him look delicate. He is a gentleman. Womanizer. Expert tactician, Boxer and swimmer Saviour of Upper Canada

4. 1812 Summary The book starts with Jeremy at his mothers funeral. After the funeral his uncle buys his farm from him so Jeremy hits the road to find a new life. Eventually Jeremy enlists in the British army and becomes a British soldier, and soon becomes General Brocks batman (his butler). After being Brock’s batman for several months, Jeremy and British soldiers set out to liberate Fort Detroit with help from Tecumseh and his small army of Indian warriors. They liberate the Fort without a fight through deceit. Jeremy learns that the Indians are being used and will not get their land and loses trust in Brock for lying to the Indians. Later on they go to battle at Queenston Heights where Jeremy kills an enemy soldier, and Brock is killed in battle. Capt. Stanton tells Jeremy he will be going to London to get a proper education and a chance to pick his future as this was Brock’s last wish for the boy. In the Epilogue Jeremy states that Brock is now worshipped as a hero of Canada. The war ended in 1814 but only cared for Tecumseh's death. He has also become an army engineer building roads and canals. He’s been to Africa, Australia, and Jamaica. He always compares other officers to Brock and says that no other man has equaled him.

5. Likes and Dislikes for 1812 Likes Dislikes I disliked how Jeremy lost his farm. I disliked how MacPherson bullied Jeremy. I disliked how his parents died. I disliked how Jeremy nearly started the war with the Indians I HATED it when Brock died • I liked the story. • I liked how it was based on true events. • I liked the characters. • I liked the how interesting it was. • I liked how they let a 15 year old into the army XD.

6. Vocabulary Batman: An officer’s personal assistant. Brock is in desperate need of a new batman • Obstinate: 1.Stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or action, despite attempts to persuade one to do so. You seem to be the worst and best of these settlers. Obstinate, uncivilized, and rude. But proud and also honest. • Pounds: Currency in Britain. I had sold my farm for 20 pounds. • Grenadier: A member of the British Grenadier Guard, the first regiment of a royal household guard. Our flutes played “British Grenadiers” as we marched onto Fort Detroit. • Caulking: Stop up (the seams of a boat) with oakum and waterproofing material; make (a boat). We will have to spend all tonight caulking and repairing the boats. • Palisade: A fence of wooden stakes or iron railings fixed in the ground, forming an enclosure or defense. We passed through the palisade into town.

7. Lesson Learned/ Theme for 1812 The theme I have chosen for 1812 is Canadian Identity. In the book it tells you about Canadian identity. A main character General Brock tells Jeremy he has all of the good and bad traits of the colonials. Brock says Jeremy is Obstinate, uncivilized, and rude. However he also says Jeremy is proud and honest. Those are all defining traits, but those aren’t what gives you your national identity. Canadian Identity means to stand up for your rights. To repel the invaders, and to show peace. That’s what is depicted in the book but I guess the lesson is that everyone has their own Canadian Identity and their own views on our country.

8. Review • 1812 is a book that follows a boy through the hardships of war. • The book itself is well written and has a great storyline that would keep anyone interested. • This book combines entertainment with a lesson about history. • Not only will you be entertained but the characters themselves are simply wonderful in the book. • Snazzy Reviews gives this book a solid 10/10.

9. Changing the Story • If I could change one thing about this book it would be the ending. • The end made me angry and really pissed off because General Brock died. • It’s horrible because Brock was like a father to Jeremy. • So if I could change the ending I’d change it so Brock wouldn’t die and that Canada would kick USA’s ass back out the border.

10. Free Page! • This book was based on the bloody and tyrannical war started by our loving neighbors USA. • This book was a great choice and I suggest that everyone in this class buy a copy, sign it out of the library or download it off of the internet to go and READ it. • It was fun and it will also make you smarter 

11. Bibliography • 1812 • www.wikipedia.com • www.Isaacbrock.com • www.globeandmail.com