By Eric Pierpoint

The Secret Mission of William Tuck is not for the faint of heart; this intense, Juvenile Fiction historical novel about the American Revolution depicts the horrors of war and slavery in a very graphic manner.  Perhaps this book is best suited for Middle School, High School, and adults.  It is written at an approximate 5th Grade Reading Level, according to Accelerated Reader Bookfinder.

Although the story itself is a work of fiction, including the two main characters, William Tuck, a 12-year-old farm boy, and Rebecca Townsend, a 16-year-old girl of wealth, many characters and most of the events in this well-researched book are authentic. At the end of the book, Mr. Pierpoint offers the “History Behind the Story”, citing the actual people and events. Although it is the last “chapter”, it would seemingly be helpful to read it first.

In the summer of 1781, the British Redcoats attacked William’s family’s farm near the Roanoke River in Virginia, taking the animals and killing his older brother. William runs away and joins the Patriots as a drummer boy and to seek revenge. In every chapter, he is met with breathtaking conflict. At the Battle of Green Spring, the first battle he is engaged in, he is hailed by a dying Patriot, a courier, The Watchman, who gives him a watch and a secret message for General Lafayette’s man, Armistead, in Williamsburg, that will change the course of the war in the Patriots’ favor.

That does not happen as planned. William’s mission ends up being to deliver the message personally to General Washington. Along the way, he meets Rebecca Townsend, whose father has been captured by the British and taken away as a prisoner on a warship. Changing her appearance to that of a boy, she joins William on his mission.

What dangers did William encounter? What dangers did William and Rebecca encounter together? What diseases were rampant during the American Revolution? Who was the “Virginia Hercules” and why was he so feared? What was it like to be a prisoner in the belly of a British warship? What part did slaves play in the book? And a Native American? And finally, just what is the “35 Code”?  You could easily learn it and use it!

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