April Morning is a 1961 novel by Howard Fast, about Adam Cooper's coming of age during the Battle of Lexington.

[1] One critic notes that in the beginning of the novel he is "dressed down by his father, Moses, misunderstood by his mother, Sarah, and plagued by his brother, Levi.

"[3] While the novel was not originally written as a young adult story, it has increasingly been assigned in middle school English and social studies classes, due to the age of the protagonist and Fast's meticulous efforts to recreate the texture of daily life in colonial America and the political currents on the eve of the American Revolution.

In 1988, a film version was made for television starring Chad Lowe as Adam and Tommy Lee Jones as Moses.

The novel begins in the afternoon of April 18, 1775, when Adam's father, named Moses, sends him out to draw water from the well for his mother, Sarah.

After dinner is over and Adam finishes some evening chores, he heads over to the Simmons' house to meet with Ruth, his love interest, and go on a walk.

Suddenly, Adam is awakened by Levi, who draws attention to a speedy rider that stops in the center of town.

People gather around the rider on the green, who informs them that the British are coming and may be marching through their town.

After Adam and all the other men arrive at the green, the militia muster falls into order and the women and children are sent inside.

There the militia plans several ambushes and Adam shares his story of the massacre on the Lexington green.

Vomiting and sobbing after the battle, he then returns home to be treated as the man of the house, against his wishes.

[4] The theme of nonviolence is based on Moses' belief in solving problems through arguments, rather than warfare.

[4] For the truth theme, several conflicts have been noted in the first chapter, such as Moses' talking against superstition yet birching Adam seven times.

He says "[Fast] believed the essence of the revolution was with the faceless and nameless people who fought it.

"[6] Also, The New York Times says that "[Fast] proposes that Solomon Chandler organized the Battle of Lexington.

"[8] Macdonald also praised Fast for "A virtually perfect relationship between literary character and research.

Although it is set at the very beginning of the American Revolution it is more about Adam's journey to manhood and his relationship with his parents.