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The Secret Life of Sarah Revere by Ann Rinaldi

Written by Savannah Pearlman

“What matters? The truth? Or what people think?” Thirteen year old Sarah Revere daughter of the famous Paul Revere, struggles to answer this question. Does her father know who fired the first shot at Lexington. Why won’t he say?
Sarah’s family is full of secrets, whether it had to do with Paul Revere taking one of his rides to warn the colonies of British attacks or something else. Lately Sarah had been noticing something between her step mother Rachel and a dear friend of the family, Dr. Joseph Warren. Sarah was drawing to her own conclusions and one night confronts Dr. Warren. He admits that he is a man and not made of stone. This obviously upsets Sarah, but Dr. Warren being the chairman of the Massachuset board of safety, involved with the Sons of Liberty, and commander of the American forces before George Washington came around, had to many more important things to think about than a little girl who is mad at him. As problems with the British become more intense, Paul Revere is away more often and Warren goes away to fight, leaving Sarah with unanswered questions.


The Secret of Sarah Revere is a very interesting novel, full of many questions some answered and other leaving you to come to your own conclusions. I thought this is a very good book with a life lesson, always settle things if you have a fight with someone before it is to late, because you might not get a second chance. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys sitting down and reading a good book full of adventure, suspense, love, and historical facts. What I liked most about this story is that Ann Rinaldi does research on everything before she writes it, and in the authors notes can tell you most of what she has learned. She can also explain to you what is fact and what is fiction. For example, in the authors notes in The Secret of Sarah Revere, you learn that Dr. Joseph Warren was an actual person and friend of the Revere family. He is also considered to be the most over looked person in the revolutionary war. If Dr. Warren hadn’t been killed at the Battle of Bunker hill he would have been the general of the United States Army instead of George Washington. He might have even become the first President of the United States of America. Ann Rinaldi’s novels are not only informing of history but exciting to read.

Last Updated: December 09, 2004
Yannis Grammatis