LOYALTY, by Avi, Clarion Books, Feb. 8, 2022, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 10 and up)
A Loyalist turned British spy is at the heart of Loyalty, a new novel by Avi that takes place during the American Revolution.
When his father is killed by rebel vigilantes, Noah flees with his family to Boston. Intent on avenging his father, Noah becomes a spy for the British and firsthand witness to the power of partisan rumor to distort facts, the hypocrisy of men who demand freedom while enslaving others, and the human connections that bind people together regardless of stated allegiances. Awash in contradictory information and participating in key events leading to the American Revolution, Noah must forge his own understanding of right and wrong and determine for himself where his loyalty truly lies. —Synopsis provided by Clarion Books
If you’ve read some of Avi’s other novels — Gold Rush Girl, Crispin, True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, etc. — then you know that they are impeccably researched and full of suspense and adventure. There’s also a formality to Avi’s tone that gives the work an overall heft. The same can be said of Loyalty.
Loyalty is a master class in examining an event from multiple viewpoints. Noah finds himself smack in the middle of British and colonists, and from where he sits, both sides are lacking. He’s forced to find what works best for him and realize that what’s best for him isn’t necessarily best for those he’s closest to.
It’s the push and pull of Noah’s situation that makes it so compelling. Even in the small moments, there’s this under riding tension that underscores the tenuous position Noah is in.
As always, Avi’s writing is engrossing. There’s a reason for the author’s Newberry Award and two Newberry Honors. Loyalty is an excellent look at the American Revolution.
