Summary: Superheroes arrive in the 1700's, courtesy of Ben Franklin's sadistic, illegitimate son, graphic novel style. Set in revolutionary times, former slaves Graham and Brody attempt to exact revenge on wrong-doers in colonial America.
Citation: Lagos, A. and J. (2010). The sons of liberty. New York : Random House Children's Books.
My Thoughts: I don't care for graphic novels, but I can appreciate their appeal and support them as an element of collection development. The Sons of Liberty combines many elements that attract reluctant readers, chief among them graphics and superheroes. It is a contender for any graphic novel collection.
Reviews:
Jesse Karp (Booklist, Jun. 1, 2010 (Vol. 106, No. 19)
Starred Review* The superhero, once the embarrassing social outcast of American culture, has lately been recognized as a potent metaphor adaptable to an array of themes and, now, historical eras. Two young slaves on the run, pursued by a bounty hunter and his ferocious pack of dogs, are experimented on by Ben Franklin’s heinous son William and wind up with electrically charged superpowers. Overseen by Ben himself as well as true-life abolitionist Benjamin Lay, the slaves bring some hurtin’ back to their tormentors. History offers few villains as vile as slaveholders, but this graphic novel is far from being a simple revenge thriller. The use of historical figures and well-researched (but embellished) history, and a willingness to flesh out characters and set up situations to pay off in future installments, makes for an uncommonly complex, literate, and satisfying adventure. The slick art, with wiry figures reminiscent of Mark Bagley’s Ultimate Spider-Man work, feels more modern than the story suggests and will be inviting to teen readers. In the style of Robert Morales and Kyle Baker’s Captain America: Truth (2004), this first installment of a series respects history (with some dramatic liberties taken) and uses superpowers effectively as an empowerment allegory. Grades 8-12
Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, April 15, 2010 (Vol. 78, No. 8)
In this distinctly different take on the American Revolution, electrical experiments by Ben Franklin's crazed son turn two young runaway slaves into human batteries capable for brief periods of amazing feats of speed, strength and intellect. Fortunately Graham and Brody come under the tutelage of (historical) abolitionist Quaker Benjamin Lay, whose misshapen body hides not only a fiery dedication to doing good but (not so historical) superb skill in Dambe, an African martial art. Having absorbed both the morals and the fighting techniques, along with a quick education, the boys hie off to Philadelphia to build new lives—packing cool masks that show off the way their eyes glow when they rev up for action. They go on to successfully take on a brutal slave hunter and his pack of ravening trained dogs, but when Lay is murdered an aborted attempt at revenge leaves them sad and confused. How will they fare against Franklin's son and other enemies? Stay tuned. Printed on coated paper and framed in solid black, the deeply shadowed graphic panels explode with melodrama (and, occasionally, blood) from start to finish. Not a source of accurate history, but it's hard to put down. 2010, Random, 176p, $18.99. Category: Graphic historical fantasy. Ages 12 to 14. © 2010 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.
Suggested Uses: The Son of Liberty lends itself to being an anchor book leading students to create their own graphic novels about superheroes set in other historical periods.
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