REVIEWS
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - December 2001
Set during the Civil War, this story follows a young slave as he escapes from his owner, a Confederate officer, to a Union encampment five miles away. Jacob Smith, a white drummer boy, befriends Johnny and produces a beaten old drum for him to use. The boys' friendship deepens as the two join B Company on a march to Frederick, MD. Maryland, however, is not a free state and Johnny knows that he could be returned to his former owner. He hears of a Colored Infantry Unit that is forming near Philadelphia, and, after a suspenseful journey that is fraught with danger, including thieves and a bounty hunter, he serves as drummer boy in the unit. At the end, Johnny is traveling back to Baltimore to begin his life as a free man. This is a simple story, but it gives insight into the realities of slave ownership and societal attitudes at the time of the Civil War. Johnny is lucky to encounter a fair share of abolitionists in his remarkable and courageous journey. At the same time, he is betrayed by those who would sell out to bounty hunters and is exposed to racism in the Union encampment. This title will be useful for Civil War units and will be a good resource for Black History Month.
MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW December 15, 2001
George Richardson's Drummer is a young adult historical fiction novel set during the American Civil War. A young slave, Johnny Jackson, escapes and runs to a Union infantry unit when he learns they are camped only five miles north of the Confederate rebels. He befriends a young white drummer, and marches with the Union Army back to Frederick, Maryland, but is not allowed to join the white unit as a drummer. His disappointment gives way to more perils on a hazardous journey to Baltimore, with his freedom always in jeopardy, until he succeeds in joining the First Pennsylvania Colored Infantry and becomes a drummer for Company A. Johnny's battles and travails are destined to change his life in this powerful, adventurous, and sobering read which is very highly recommended for teenage and young adult readers.
