The Boys of '98

"The Boys of '98" by James Otis is a story set in the late 1800s during the Spanish-American War that illustrates the bravery of American soldiers and sailors. It tells about how the U.S. Navy and Army got involved, focusing on the courage shown by "the boys of '98". The story begins with the U.S.S. Maine exploding in Havana Harbor, which made the United States and Spain become enemies. Many people died in the explosion which made Americans very angry and eager to fight. The book shows how serious the situation was and how people felt during that time, as the country prepared for war.