I Am Rebel

Tom is Rebel's dog. Rebel would do anything for Tom. Living happily on a farm, Rebel has no desire to do anything else. But one day soldiers come to the house and everything changes. Rebel must leave the farm and find Tom, because Tom is his boy and he loves him.

Set in an indeterminate time and place, I Am Rebel is a wonderful story of the love between a dog and a boy. It is also a story of adventure and excitement and I admit I did shed a few tears in places. This is a special book, hopefully a future classic, which I read in one sitting.

I Am Rebel is so different from other Ross Mongomery books such as The Chimeseekers, it almost felt as if it was written by someone else - the sign of a very versatile writer. The cover, by Keith Robinson, is another eye-catching and stand-out piece of work by this illustrator. It entirely captures the spirit of the book and the rendition of Rebel is so charming, it will most certainly attract readers who might not otherwise pick up this sort of book.

Suitable for upper KS2 (ages 9+), this is the type of book I would love to read aloud. The voices are so clear, you could have a lot of fun with them. It is also a story that will have children begging for more, which is really the highest accolade.

304 pages / Reviewed by Jacqueline Harris, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 9+

Rebel is a good dog. He lives with his owner, 12-year-old Tom, on a sheep farm. Rebel thinks life is just perfect, however, Tom knows that it is not. The King is doubling the taxes, making it almost impossible for people to live. When Tom meets Rider, the leader of the Reds, he is drawn into a rebellion against the King. Much to Rebel's dismay, he is left behind when Tom goes off to fight. At first, Rebel waits patiently, because that is what Tom told him to do. But eventually he realises the danger Tom is in and sets off on a perilous quest to find his master and bring him home.

I Am Rebel is a wonderful book. Told entirely from Rebel's point of view it is beautifully written and very moving. Rebel has such an innocent nature; his whole life revolves around his master - "I am his dog and he is my boy. I would die for him if I had to", he says at one point. As Rebel journeys to find Tom, he meets an engaging cast of animal characters, each with their own unique voice and story to tell. We are introduced to Jaxon, a solitary dog who at first is Rebel's unwilling travelling companion, but eventually becomes a true friend. Jaxon teaches Rebel how to survive without a master, and Rebel becomes a much more independent animal as the story progresses - although his love for Tom never diminishes.

The novel is not set in any specified time, but has a sense of the Middle Ages. The main themes of the book are love, friendship, loyalty and bravery, and there are many truly memorable events depicted, especially when Rebel is injured and meets The Companion. Tissues needed!

I Am Rebel would make a perfect read-aloud for a class; Rebel's adventures will keep any reader or listener spellbound. I loved it, and I loved Rebel - who is, indeed, a very good boy.

304 pages / Reviewed by Beverley Somerset, school librarian

Suggested Reading Age 9+