Mad Boy: an account
of Henry Phipps in the War of 1812 by Nick Arvin – 236 p.
Ten-year-old
Henry lives with his family in a run down shack , on property lost by the
Phipps family through generations of profligacy and laziness. His father is in
debtor’s prison, and Henry’s brother has joined the army to get money to free
him. Henry and his mother try to keep things going at home, until the day that
the roof literally falls in on them (thanks to the Redcoats and an errant cow).
His mother loses her life, but not her ability to converse with Henry and
direct his nonstop adventures - hence the nickname “Mad Boy”. The action is
nonstop and the humor rich. Henry’s risky exploits may appear crazy but with
the help of other finely drawn characters he is true to his purpose and keeps
his family whole.
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