Why is My Brother Sam is Dead Challenged?

My Brother Sam is Dead is usually challenged by individuals who have not personally read the novel. If they read it, they’d realize that the authors have woven important topics into each of the novels chapters and they’d embrace it as the magnificent teaching tool it truly is.

But that's not the answer you have visited this page for, is it? You want to know how and why the novel earned a top 10 listing on the American Way's most challenged book list in 1996.

The book is challenged because it:

A). Contains profanity: In reaction to being smack in the head by Tim Meeker as she tries to wrestle a letter away from him, Betsy Read shouts "You Little Bastard!"

B). Contains excessive violence: While observing the British army Tim Meeker experiences the horrific beheading of a slave.

C). Mentions alcohol consumption: The Meeker's own a Tavern.

D). Contains unpatriotic views of the American Revolution: The Meeker's are Anglican's.

In response to these challenges let me point out that:

A). The book contains profanity because the authors are trying to provide us with a realistic portrayal of life during the American Revolution. There were conflicting opinions and there were heated discussions, during which, people actually (gasp) swore at each other.

B). The violence Tim experiences is in response to the British troops being fired at. Four individuals take "pot-shots" at the British Troops as they march by. The British respond by rushing the house, subduing the individuals and locking them in the basement. In the process one resists and is decapitated. The British then set the house on fire. This scene is historically correct. It happened; it occurred in Danbury not Redding, but it did happen. The point the authors were making here is that War is Cruel and People Die. While I admit that the beheading is a bit excessive for a children's novel it is not worth censoring the entire novel over it.

C). Mentioning alcohol consumption is no reason to censor a novel as important as My Brother Sam is Dead. The Meeker's own and operate a Tavern. And alcohol consumption by all, young and old, within that time period, is also historically correct.

D). Contains unpatriotic views of the American Revolution. This one is my personal favorite. When Susannah Meeker states: "Bah, patriotism. Your patriotism has got my husband in prison and one of my children out there in the rain and muck shooting people and likely to be dead any minute, and my business is half ruined. Go sell your patriotism elsewhere, I've had enough of it." she has had it. It's a response anyone of us would have if we were placed in the same position.

Susannah Meeker has:

1. lost her husband to the war
2. she's working 24/7 and being paid in currency that is literally worthless unless the Patriot win the war
3. she is Anglican and doesn't want to be in this war to begin with
4. she fears for her eldest son's life and knows that her youngest son is being deprived of his childhood as he tries to help her keep their business afloat.

The topics covered in this book are important and well represented historically speaking. Christopher Collier was Connecticut's State Historian for a very long time; he knew the issues, the localities, the facts. James Lincoln Collier wrote children’s stories; he knew how to write in a way that captivated the attention of young people. Between the two of them they were very talented. What I love most about My Brother Sam is Dead is its realism. I was born and raised in Redding, Connecticut. I know its history well, and can tell you the Collier brothers wove an amazing tale here and it should be embraced not censored.

My Brother Sam is Dead is a winner of many literary awards. Among these are: The Newberry Honor Book, Notable Children’s, National Book Award Nominee, and Horn Book Fanfare. This book is often recommended as part of a Social Studies curriculum while studying the American Revolution.


Have a look at these Banned and Challenged Classics and you'll realize that the censors aren't always correct.

I suggest you read the book and use my online resources to better understand the topics woven into the novel.


For more notes and background information on the historical fiction novel- My Brother Sam is Dead, visit my online resources or purchase an e-book.