Firebrand

"Likable, teen-friendly novel, accessible and historically rigorous." -- Kirkus Reviews1848. The Bondi family is leaving for a better life in America. But 15-year-old Anschl doesn't want to go. He's found his life's purpose in Vienna, fighting on the barricades against a tyrant king. In America, Anschl tries to put his past behind him, changing his name to August and seeking adventure aboard a Texas riverboat. But there is a new tyranny in his adopted land called slavery, and its presence all around him rekindles the fire in the young freedom fighter. It leads him to Kansas Territory and the adventure of his life alongside the notorious abolitionist John Brown.Action-packed narrative and contemporary dialogue shed new light on questions of race, violence, and conscience that kids confront today. Includes a factual preface and epilogue with two pages of maps to immerse readers in Bondi's world."August Bondi may be a little-known Jewish hero, but this fictionalized story of his life, based on his autobiography, details what an interesting and adventurous life he led." -- AJL Reviews, Association of Jewish Libraries"Readers will relate to August's struggles. A good title for school libraries looking to expand their U.S. historical fiction collections." -- School Library JournalFirebrand is based on "Border Hawk: August Bondi," a story by Newbery and National Book Award winner Lloyd Alexander.Aaron Barnhart's previous historical work was praised for "taking the complex ... and rendering it reader-friendly" (Kansas City Star). Now Aaron has reimagined August's amazing story to inspire a new generation of readers 1848. The Bondi family is leaving for a better life in America. But 15-year-old Anschl doesnt want to go. Hes found his lifes purpose in Vienna, fighting on the barricades against a tyrant king. In America, Anschl tries to put his past behind him, changing his name to August and seeking adventure aboard a Texas riverboat. But there is a new tyranny in his adopted land called slavery, and its presence all around him rekindles the fire in the young freedom fighter. It leads him to Kansas Territory and the adventure of his life alongside the notorious abolitionist John Brown.Action-packed narrative and contemporary dialogue shed new light on questions of race, violence, and conscience that kids confront today. Includes a factual preface and epilogue with two pages of maps to immerse readers in Bondi's world.Firebrand is an innovative work of historical fiction -- a ''mashup'' of the autobiography of Jewish freedom fighter August Bondi (1833-1907) and the 1958 novel Border Hawk, based on Bondi's memoir and written by future Newbery and National Book Award winner Lloyd Alexander. Aaron Barnhart's previous historical work was praised for ''taking the complex ... and rendering it reader-friendly'' (Kansas City Star). Now Aaron has reimagined August's amazing story to inspire a new generation of readers. Action-packed narrative and contemporary dialogue shed new light on questions of race, violence, and conscience that kids confront today. 1848. The Bondi family is leaving for a better life in America. But 15-year-old Anschl doesn't want to go. He's found his life's purpose in Vienna, fighting on the barricades against a tyrant king. In America Anschl tries to put his past behind him, seeking adventure aboard a Texas riverboat. But there is a tyranny in his adopted land called slavery, and its presence rekindles the fire in the young freedom fighter. Anschl heads to Kansas Territory and the adventure of his life alongside the notorious abolitionist John Brown. Includes a factual preface and epilogue with two pages of maps to immerse readers in Bondi's world. "Likable, teen-friendly novel, accessible and historically rigorous, Firebrand is a potential supplement to U.S. history studies at the middle school or high school level." — Kirkus Reviews In 1848 Vienna, fifteen-year-old August Bondi is forced to emigrate to America, leaving behind his comrades in the revolution. In his new country he is confronted by the evil of slavery, and sets out for Bleeding Kansas to join forces with the notorious John Brown.