By Charles R. Klepac
Madeleine Takes Command by Ethel C. Brill is the story of a fourteen-year-old girl who, in 1692, along with her brothers, defends a Canadian fort when her parents are away. Madeleine shows great courage and leadership because of her faith in God. Though few people of any age are faced with such a difficult situation, Madeleine gives readers great inspiration.
There were several occasions when Madeleine gave proof of her faith and trust in God during the Indian attack. As she was running from the river during the Indian attack, while the Indians were coming at her, a bullet went past her head and she said, “Blessed Mother Mary, save me!” When she was talking to her army and was giving them instructions for the night, she went on her knees for a few minutes and she said, “Because God has been merciful to us, we must not grow careless. He expects us to do our job.” When Madeline, La Bonte, and Gatchet were praying inside the blockhouse, Madeleine went to the post and said, “With God’s help the fort will hold out until rescue arrives.”
Madeleine showed great courage several times during the Indian attack. She was afraid to go and guard the gate but she did it by herself. Everyone was afraid to open the gate, but she decided to open the gate by herself to see if any of their troops were there. She told her troops, “We are fighting for our people. And we will fight to our death.”
Madeleine Takes Command shows that Madeleine has much faith and trust in God and much courage in the Indian attack that occurred while her mother was away. This was an exciting book to me because she was so brave and things kept happening quickly. I don’t think I could have the courage Madeleine had because I am not old enough and do not have that much responsibility.
Dude, there is always plenty of stuff to do at the TEEN ZONE!
Contact the Teen Zone at 566-2201 or email at teenzone@infoway.org.