The Matchlock Gun

Rating:
Summary: Bang bang, shoot shoot
Review: Award winning children's books from the past are tricky beasts. Sometimes they're fabulous (like "Thimble Summer" or "Caddie Woodlawn"), sometimes they're brilliant (like "Holes" or "The Westing Game") and sometimes they're so offensive they make your skin crawl. Now, I'm going to admit right here and now that I'm a little torn on "The Matchlock Gun". On the one hand, it's chock full of stereotypes and awful messages. The book describes Native Americans harshly and treats slave ownership as commonplace and not much in the way of a social problem. So there's that. On the other hand, this book really does make an effort to show a historical event in a fascinating and well written way. The prose is lively, the characters interesting, and the action fast-paced and gripping.

In this tale (based, we are told, on a true story) a Dutch/Palatine family is bidding goodbye to their father. As a member of the local militia Captain Teunis Van Alstyne is off to protect his home, land, and family from the French and the Indians. His son, Edward, is proud to see his father go, but he's disappointed that the man isn't taking the ancient Spanish matchlock gun that rests on the mantelpiece. His father assures him that the gun is too heavy and bulky and after kissing his wife goodbye he takes off. This leaves ten year old Edward with his mother and six year old sister. As news comes that the Indians might be near after all, Edward's mom Gertrude decides that the time has come to prepare for her family's safety. She puts Edward in charge of manning the matchlock gun by the window. If Gertrude sees any Indians she will yell her son's name and he will light the gun for shooting. Though she worries that her fears may be unfounded, it turns out that Gertrude was right to prepare her family from a vicious attack. In the end, Edward becomes a hero.

So here's where the debate comes in: Do we dislike this book because it has a negative attitude towards Native Americans? You could make the argument, I suppose, that the author of this 1942 Newbery Award winner couldn't have predicted the shifting attitudes towards Indian attacks in the future. Perhaps you could rely on the belief that nobody was treating Native Americans very well in children's books from this time period. You could say that. Then you could notice that the 1936 Newbery Award winner was none other than "Caddie Woodlawn". A balanced intelligent alternative view of Native Americans and their interactions with white settlers. So no, ladies and gentlemen, the opinions of such authors as Walter D. Edmonds were not, in fact, the only ones available when it was published. Quite frankly, they were just as offensive then as they are today and they should receive no excuses.

Additionally, there's the whole slavery problem. No condemnation of slavery is mentioned in the book. On the one hand, this is incredibly historically correct. No one living in this area at this time would have understood much about slaves' rights. On the other hand, the book was written in 1941. So do we hate the book because it's historically accurate or could the author have found a way to present slavery without appearing to approve of it? I think so, but it's up to the readers to decide for themselves.

In the end, the writing is fabulous, no question. Had this book been about anything OTHER than Indians and the passing "Negro" comment I think it might've won my heart and mind with relative ease. As it is, this book is less offensive than (oh say) James Daugherty's ludicrously racist 1941 Newbery winner, "Daniel Boone" and more offensive than the aforementioned "Caddie Woodlawn". It's a ripping good yarn, but that can only carry the tale so far. In the end, you must decide for yourself whether or not this book is appropriate for the kiddies today. If paired with explanations of the historical events surrounding this tale (as well as adding some of your own careful discussions regarding Native Americans and their treatment by the Europeans) this could well be a useful text even today. Just make certain you know what you're getting into before you stuff it into the hand of the nearest nine year old. It's a good tale marred by its times.

Rating:
Summary: Coming of Age in Colonial NY
Review: Edmonds' 1941 Newbery book offers authentic details of life in Dutch New York state--served up in a pleasant format. Children
quickly outgrew the age of innocence on the frontier, when survival for English and Dutch colonists was difficult because of hostile Frenchmen and desperate Indians. Young readers will enjoy the family dynamics in this tale of personal courage and maternal resourcefulness, which is enhanced by the black/and white (and some color) illustrations of Paul Lantz. Readers of all ages will marvel at the determination of a ten-year-old boy.

When Father Teunis must depart with the local militia, to quell an uprising near Albany, Mother Gertrude forms a bold plan to save her young family in case Indians attack. Defenseless without the head of the household? Not at all--thanks to grandfather's old Spanish muzzle-loader over the mantle. Based
on historical fact and family oral tradition, this tale will delight children of all ages. Those were the days when men were Men--and sometimes young boys had to be, too! This story, in its large, softback edition, remains as fresh as when it was originally penned. Americans can appreciate their tradition of proud, immigrant pluck. Edward's family was here to stay!

Rating:
Summary: Do we want to perpetuate stereotypes and racism?
Review: If read without critical analysis of the historical context this book could lead to a euro-centric view of history that is inaccurate and perpetuates stereotypes and racism. Since it is aimed at Middle School age readers they could interpret "courage" as the extermination of an indigenous race by European colonizers.

I encourage teachers and parents to look closely at the historical fiction that their students and children are exposed to and be critical of the content. Books, such as this can be teaching tools, if used to expose stereotypes and racism.

Rating:
Summary: TRUSTWORTHY IN COLONIAL NY
Review: Set in Dutch Colonial NY State, this tale of homespun courage is gently paced for young readers, with accurate, historical detailing of life during the French and Indian War. When Father departs with the local militia, only young Edward is left to defend the family's humble farm and log cabin. His farsighted mother helps him position and load an old Spanish matchlock gun--just in case the Indians get through. But could a woman and two children survive an attack by Native Americans bent on murder, arson and revenge? What scene of devatation will await their father upon his return to the family homestead? Based on a true story of Dutch/American bravery, this short book is enhanced by Paul Lantz' vivid B/W and color illustrations. The theme--the inborn desire of people to be free to follow their own dreams and pursue happiness in their own way--reflects America's proud heritage of goal-setting and physical hardship in order to carve one's own path out of the wilderness.

Rating:
Summary: 1942 Newbery Medal winner; a gripping tale of bravery.
Review: Winner of the 1942 John Newbery Medal for most significant contribution to children's literature, "The Matchlock Gun" is one of the shortest--yet one of the most memorable--of all the Newbery Medal books. I've read every one of the Newbery books from 1922 through 2000, and this little story made a big impression on me. The novel covers but a day in the life of a very young boy who is left at home with the huge responsibility of safeguarding his family in the absence of his father.

SYNOPSIS: Edward ("Ateoord" in the story) Van Alstyne's father, Teunis, is a captain in the Guilderland militia and leaves the family overnight to defend their small community outside Albany City, NY against the French and Indians. The militia is unable to hold the Indians at the bridge, however, and five Indians reach the Van Alstyne farm.

Gertrude (Edward's mother) has the foresight to rig up her grandfather's heavy, awkward Spanish matchlock gun through a hole in the window shutter and acts as a decoy, picking beans in the garden, until the Indians reach the house. Edward must then defend his wounded mother and protect his family with the huge, ungainly weapon.

IMPRESSIONS: Today it is quite seldom that extremely young children must bear adult responsibilities in the face of such danger. Historical fiction like this is compelling reading; "The Matchlock Gun" is a very brief but well-written story which should interest any young reader.