Gr 5-8 The unlikeliest of heroes, 16-year-old Noah badly wishes to serve in the Continental Army, but a childhood accident that has left him lame prevents him from enlisting. After a Mohawk raid leaves their settlement in ruins, Noah treks to the nearest fort to inform the army and becomes swept up in the local militia's pursuit of the attackers. When the doomed retaliatory efforts claim most of the men, Noah flees, finding himself face to face with one of their enemies, a Native American boy about his age. Both boys are seriously wounded, are separated from their people, and have only each other to depend upon if they are to survive. Told in alternating chapters over the course of three days, Mann's re-creation of the Battle of Minisink and its aftermath straightforwardly introduces readers to events and figures seldom visited in children's books. While few would argue the Revolution's significance to the colonists, many forget that Native peoples fought a similar battle for basic freedoms during this time. Mann's narrative is unique in that it sheds light on this part of Native American history and, in particular, the Iroquois Confederacy's alliance with the British. At times, the historical conflict is overshadowed by the protagonist's inner struggles and memories, but the rich, exhaustive research is evident within the writing as well as in the biographical information provided at book's end. The epilogue's significance, easily the most fascinating part of the story, will likely be lost to some, but for readers interested in this time period, Mann has created a springboard for immersion in a sadly overlooked yet important part of our history. VERDICT A worthy purchase for its thought-provoking portrayal of a military skirmish seldom explored in children's literature. Rebecca Gueorguiev, New York Public Library

Eager to be a hero in the Revolutionary War despite a childhood leg injury, Noah rushes off with the local militia to avenge a deadly British raid on his New York farming community. Downed by musket fire during a skirmish, he languishes in the woods, only to find an injured Indian boy nearby. Though he is at first furious to discover his "enemy," Noah eventually begins to sympathize with the younger boy, whom he nicknames Scar due to a facial marking. Over the course of this fateful day in July 1779, the two manage to communicate. Noah's insightful narration allows readers a glimpse into a tiny rural community's life under British rule and provides a nuanced view of the tensions between settlers and natives caught in the cross fire of military strategy. A war story with plenty of plot ded by Noah's flashbacks and a somewhat surprise ending is brief, thoughtful story also is a remarkable meditation on the horror and loss that war brings to a community.

Scar: A Revolutionary War Tale is the story of two teenage boys on opposing sides of the war trying to survive the night. Sixteen-year-old Noah wants to fight against the Mohawks who destroyed his village and killed his neighbors, but the other men think he is too weak because of his crippled foot. Noah sneaks off to join the battle but is relegated to the care of Dr. Tunsten, who teaches him about medicine in the short time that they are acquainted. The tide of the battle quickly turns against the militiamen, and Noah, the only survivor, is left alone with a dying Mohawk boy whom he calls Scar. Noah tries to keep Scar alive by tending to his wounds while telling him about the previous two days leading up to the battle. The tale ends with Scar, followed by Noah, passing away in the company of Scar's men.This is based upon true events. Mann uses real people from the Battle of Minisink to explore the legend of a young colonial soldier who is said to have been given a memorial stone by the Mohawks, while all of the other deceased militiamen were left behind. Mann also includes a bibliography and an "About the Characters" section. Scar: A Revolutionary War Tale may need some promoting, but this fast-paced, coming-of age tale will resonate with readers long after they finish reading. Recommend this to teens who enjoy war stories and historical novels that put readers into the mindset of its characters and setting.Marissa Lieberman.