In an interesting turnabout, the American Revolution is seen through the eyes of a British family to whom an American prisoner of war has been entrusted. Technically the young prisoner is in Uncle Lawrence’s custody, but the children soon forge a forbidden friendship with him after he nearly dies in an attempted escape. He becomes the Reb and they, his Redcoats. But when they learn of some events leading to his coming to Europe, even Uncle Lawrence, embittered by the unjust death of a friend in America, thaws toward him—but this doesn’t stop the Reb from scheming to escape.

Constance Savery deftly weaves themes of trust and forgiveness into an interesting plot with likeable characters.

England, 1780s.

For readers 7 and up.