The Fifth of March: A Story of the Boston Massacre

The Fifth of March

Rachel Marsh works as a servant to John and Abigail Adams in Boston during the early 1770s, during the tense period surrounding the Boston Massacre. She admires them greatly, but falls in love with Matthew Kilroy, a British soldier who kills an American in the Massacre. She is surprised when Matthew is accused of participating with soldiers and firing upon a mob of citizens. Rachel can't decide where her loyalties lie, she is continually caught in the middle of the friction between the troops and the colonists. She meets many people in which influence her to find where she belongs and what she believes. She struggles to find a solution of how to respect everybody around her and stand up for what she believes in. The protagonist of the story is fourteen year old Rachel Marsh who moves into John and Abigail Adams' household to work as a servant. She cares for the kids and venerates the Adamses. Rachel is a very cryptic girl and has trouble dealing with whom her loyalties should be with and often wavers between them. Over time Rachel evolves into who she thinks she should be. Matthew Kilroy is a British soldier who was put into the war to pay off his brothers gambling debt, he didn't want to be a soldier. He realizes that though he doesn't want to be in this position, he has to do his job. He is very responsible and caring. When the soldiers arrived in Boston, in jaunty attire, he stood watch in front of the Adams household, where he meets Rachel. He immediately admires her and they become close. His feelings amass for Rachel and becomes very fervent with her. He and Rachel wrangle often, but they fall in love. John Adams is a well-respected lawyer from Braintree. He is very congested with all of the work he has to do and is asked to defend the British soldiers following the Boston Massacre, and he accepts. John is said to be a turncoat because of this. John is very enterprising and resolute and his stance is strong. John Adams' wife is Abigail Adams. Abigail is a very strong and caring women. John and she had 2 children and have another in the novel, but the baby has trouble breathing and dies. Following this detriment, Abigail becomes laggard and feels great anguish. She also has premonitions that bad things will happen even after that baby's death, and then the Boston Massacre occurs. She is belittled by many people after her husband decides to defend the British soldiers, but she is independent and isn't affected by this treatment. ' 'Why do the soldiers call us American? I've always thought of myself as a loyal British subject, when I've thought of the matter at all.' He 'Henry Knox' mused for a moment. 'So have we all, Rachel,'he said sadly,'but perhaps it is time for some new thoughts, then.' 'I wouldn't know where to start,' I said. 'What is a plain American, without the British in front of it?' 'Perhaps,' he said,'it is time to find out.' ' This passage is very important to understanding the novel and to understanding Rachel. In this quote, Rachel is in a bookstore owned by Henry Knox, a friend of the Adamses. Since the British soldiers have been in Boston, they have started to call the citizens 'American'. They have never seen themselves as just 'American', but instead 'British American'. Rachel finds it difficult to understand and is not used to this, neither is Henry. But, he suggests that maybe they should accept this and call themselves this, he says that it is time to find out what makes them 'American' and to live up to this title and to fight to defend their homeland. In The Fifth of March, I strongly agree with standing up for what you believe in and not being afraid of it. That is what Rachel did many times. She stood up for Matthew and believed in him because she loved him, even though Matthew was a British soldier. She didn't care what the Adamses thought of her anymore. There are not any serious errors in this book. This book influences people not to judge anyone because they are not on the 'same si

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Incredible!

This book is quite easily one of my favorite books. I got it when I visited John Adams house a few years ago. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Not only did it provide an excellent portrayal of the time period, but the love story topped it off. Although the book made me cry at times, it was this story by Ann Rinaldi that made me interested in historical fiction stories. Excellent read!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

WOW

I LOVED THIS BOOK! I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN. I READ IT IN ONE DAY! I LIKE HOW IT HAS A LITTLE BIT OF ROMANCE,AND A LOT OF HISTORY!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great book

Ann Rinaldi is such a talented author. This is another one of her great books! Definitely worth getting.

One of Ann Rinaldi's finest!

I personaly loved this book. I loved how there was non-stop action with all of the riots and the shootings. I was honestly eager to find out what was going to happen between Matthew Kilroy and Rachel Marsh. I don't want to give anything away, so if you want to find out what happens you have to read this book!

This story compels the reader and has great ideals you will fall in love with the suspense and the romance as I did throughout the book

This was a great book that showed the reader Rinaldies talent. I recommend this book and all of her others this one was one of my favorites. Try the Quilt triolgy as well if you enjoy the plot in Boston.

An Amazing Book By An Amazing Writer

The Fifth of March is a book about a girl named Rachel Marsh. Rachel is a teenage nursemaid to John and Abigail Adams between the 1760's and early 1770's.Rachel has always been very loyal to the Adams. But when she meets Matthew Kilroy a young and homesick British soldier she's not sure who to be loyal to. When Matthew get's arrested and accused of manslaughter will Rachel risk her place to save him? This story is like making a cake. You through in some friendship, a Massacre, half a cup of violence, a cup of doubt and a sprinkle of romance and before you know it you'll be half way through this book. Think you really know Rachel Marsh? If you said yes then you thought wrong in my opinion. I'm sure you've not been through half the things Rachel has. Well maybe you have. Read The Fifth of March and find out.

Very Good Book

I liked this book alot because of its pace and storyline. It defiantly helped that I had already known and read about the Boston Massacre. I recommend this book to all that enjoy historical fiction.
My one complaint is that I would have liked to know what happened to Matthew.

perfect summer read

This book is very good for lazy days when you don't want to do anything but lay around in a lawn chair and read. It's packed with info and facts about the massacre, but the author keeps it super interesting the whole time. Two thumbs up...way up!! :-)

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

I haven't read a book that's worse.

I was required to read this book for my history class, and I expected it to be alright. I didn't even get that much, however. The book was generally horrid, but what really made it even worse was the ending. Rachel lost everything good in her life- if she got fired because she loved Matthew, why would she refuse to marry him? Then, she made her stay at the Adams' redundant as well, by leaving her dowry there. Then, you realize, Rachel hasn't gotten anything from her experiences except for some pointless memories. I would recommend this to no one- don't waste your time.

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

A reviewer

I absolutely LOVE this book. One of the best I've ever read.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A Great Read!

The Fifth of March is a fantastic book that shows a young girl stuggling with her new life in Boston. She's torn between her place at the John Adams' house as a nanny and a dashing young British soldier who has captured her heart. She will have to make a choice that will change her life. Seen though a 14 year old girl's eyes, the Boston Massacre took on new perspective for me and I also learned new things. This is a great book that will have you guessing till the end!

Pretty good

I've read lots of Ann Rinaldi books, this one is probably the best one. The main character acts so stupid some times though! Overall, READ THIS BOOK if you are a fan of Rinaldi's books!!!! :'

Good

This book was good, even though the protagonist acted extremly stupid at times. Rinaldi always manages to blend her characters well with the history. It gives a great inside view to John Adams and his family at a difficult time. Even though I knew quite a bit about this time in boston, it still taught me things. No real romance, but really, a great book.

Mediocre

I would love to give this book a higher rating, but there are too many overpowering cons to the pros to do so. The Good: Great pre-revolution drama, good plot, likeable smaller characters, believeable plot. The Bad: Annoying heroine, no real romance or anything between Kilroy and Rachael, teidous at times The Ugly: I aboslutely hate Rachael Marsh. She was so stuiped and annoying! She was NOT a very smart girl, and she didn't grow as a character. She also says that she loves Matthew, yet she keeps pushing him away! Then he just leaves and she's like, OK, cool, a new life! And what's with the name of the cook? Sukey? What kind of name is that? But that Crispus Attucks guy gets points for a cool name. And Henry Knox was so awesome. He was my favorite character. B Overall: If you could get a new main character, then this book would rock. But not, so it was pretty fair.

GOOD

I love this book because it mixes romance and history. The only quibble i have with it is the main character. there were some incidnets concerning mathew where i wanted to slap her across the face! still it was a good book and i love anne rinaldi

The Best of the Best

This book has romance, history, and real life conflicts compiled into one book. I never thought a book like this would come. All of Ann Rinaldi's books are like this. This is just the one I liked the most. Plus the ending isn't given away in the begginning of the book, unlike many other's. Ann Rinaldi should be very proud of this colorful novel that sparkles many people's personalities. Highly reccomended. But be very careful about younger people reading this. It contains a little bit of things little kids don't need to hear.

This is my favorite book!

I really enjoyed everything about this book.It had everything.Excitment,romance and a wonderful winter setting.I felt like I was in the story myself because of how much detial this story has and how vivid everything is. I also love the strong personalities of the characters.No two people are exactly the same,which,unfortunately,seems to be the case with many of the books that i have read.I really could not put this book down.This deserves nothing less than five stars!

I adore this book!

This book was very well writen. The characters were extreamly complex yet, so timeless we can relate to them today. I have read many of Ann's books. This one is by far my favoret.

A MUST READ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love reading about history and Ann Rinaldi is my favorite author. This is her first book i read and it is all i read now! If you like the American Revolution do not hestitate to read this book. It is a great story and you learn so much about history!