title: Anson's Way
author:  Gary D. Schmidt 
description: Carrying on an old family tradition, Anson Staplyton ships off to Dublin to be a drummer in the Staffordshire Fencibles under his martinet father, the colonel. The lad is eager to help keep the peace in Ireland, but after the Fencibles shoot a poor tenant farmer, flog a man for teaching school and burn a peaceful village, he feels his loyalties painfully divided. Events come to a head when Anson must at once act to save his comrades in arms and the Irish rebels he's befriended. Many readers will find this a real pageturner, for there's plenty of derring-do, but history buffs may be disappointed. Schmidt (The Sin Eater) never establishes a clear time frame, other than to loosely cite George II as king. Accordingly, references to Australia (discovered 10 years after George's death) and other anachronisms point to deficient research. The plot conceit is ahistorical as well, for the only son of a wealthy landed family would almost certainly not have been sent off to be a soldier, nor would all his forefathers, especially since England didn't keep a standing army. Anson, who could be any age from 12 to 17, seems out of time and out of place. Ages 10-14. <br />Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
zlib_text: 
  
  
  
  
  
  ![Cover image](image/9781488070211.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  He stood in the center of the room, looking around like he’d never seen his
  own house.
  
  
  She followed Anson’s gaze to the built-in shelves she’d filled with precious
  and painful memories. Things she wasn’t ready to share with him. Before he
  could ask any questions, she opened the front door.
  
  
  “Even though we were coerced, thank you for carrying her home. And for the
  house tour.” Their “moment” in his bedroom flashed before her. Damn, why’d I
  bring that up?
  
  
  “Anytime.” Anson’s blue-eyed gaze danced with amusement before he ducked his
  head and stepped outside. “Sleep well, Tess.”
  
  
  Fat chance of that.
  
  
  She closed the door to prevent herself from watching him walk away. Tonight,
  Anson hadn’t treated her indifferently like he had before and, in fact, he
  appeared to be fighting his own temptations. Part of the time, shutters seemed
  to fall over his eyes as he distanced himself, then she’d blink and he’d be
  wearing his devil’s