Cloaked in Courage: Uncovering Deborah Sampson, Patriot Soldier

by Beth Anderson, Anne Lambelet (Illustrator)

Overview

The remarkable story of Deborah Sampson, a woman who fought in the American Revolution disguised as a man—and who ends up finding her true identity and purpose in life.

Deborah Sampson didn’t like being told what to do, especially by the King of England. Fiercely independent, 18-year-old Deborah enlists as Robert Shurtliff in George Washington’s Continental Army to fight for her country’s independence. But being a soldier is hard, dangerous work. Can she fight for her country and keep her identity a secret? Can she also discover who she really is and find her true purpose? This unbelievable story from American history about a woman with a rebel spirit will inspire and enlighten young readers.

“Cloaked in Courage is inspiring storytelling centering the life and actions of a brave woman and soldier, Deborah Sampson. Anderson’s contribution brings to light a lesser-known hero in history and emphasizes the importance of historical investigation and research.” —Lori Ann Terjesen, director of education, National Women’s History Museum

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781635926101
Publisher:	Astra Publishing House
Publication date:	11/15/2022
Pages:	48
Sales rank:	1,096,446
Product dimensions:	9.38(w) x 11.31(h) x 0.49(d)
Lexile:	650L (what's this?)
Age Range:	7 - 10 Years

About the Author

Beth Anderson earned a BA in Linguistics and an MEd in reading. She taught English as a second language for more than 20 years. She is the author of the picture books An Inconvenient Alphabet, Tad Lincoln’s Restless Wriggle, Lizzie Demands a Seat, and “Smelly” Kelly and His Super Senses.

Anne Lambelet holds a degree in illustration from the University of the Arts, where she received many awards in student competitions. She is the author-illustrator of Maria the Matador and Dogs and Their People and has illustrated numerous picture books and book covers.
Illustrator website: annelambelet.com

Editorial Reviews

Bank Street Best Book of the Year

“Cloaked in Courage is inspiring storytelling centering the life and actions of a brave woman and soldier, Deborah Sampson. Anderson’s contribution brings to light a lesser-known hero in history and emphasizes the importance of historical investigation and research.” —Lori Ann Terjesen, director of education, National Women’s History Museum

"Portraying Deborah Sampson as someone whose 'spirit was always a little too large'...Anderson follows her independent-minded subject from youthful chores in which she discovered 'pieces of herself' to life as a 'masterless woman'....An admiring...feminist character study." —Kirkus Reviews

"Born in Massachusetts before the American Revolution, Deborah Sampson had an independent streak...In the book’s informative back matter, the author discusses primary and secondary sources...The illustrations, pencil drawings with painted textures and digitally added colors, have a lively, rather quirky look that suits both the topic and the period." —Booklist

"Deborah Sampson was a woman who declared her own independence and then proceeded to fight for the independence of her country...Back matter not only adds to the story of this fascinating patriot but also addresses the challenges of researching with primary and secondary sources from the time ­period. These final pages broaden the audience for this title to middle and high school students and their teachers looking for insight into the process of historical research. This biography of a lesser-known American hero and look into the process of researching historical sources is an essential purchase across several age ranges." —School Library Journal

From the Publisher

12/01/2022

Gr 2–6—Deborah Sampson was a woman who declared her own independence and then proceeded to fight for the independence of her country. This picture book biography of the heroic American Revolutionary soldier starts with her early childhood and continues through her life of servitude as a young person followed by her determination to enlist in the army fighting for American independence. Sampson was able to conceal her gender despite a serious bullet wound suffered during battle as an elite soldier. Known as Robert Shurtliff when enlisted in the Continental Army, she became seriously ill after the war ended and her gender was discovered by a physician. She was then discharged honorably. Back matter not only adds to the story of this fascinating patriot but also addresses the challenges of researching with primary and secondary sources from the time period. These final pages broaden the audience for this title to middle and high school students and their teachers looking for insight into the process of historical research. VERDICT This biography of a lesser-known American hero and look into the process of researching historical sources is an essential purchase across several age ranges.—John Scott

School Library Journal

2022-10-26
A portrait of a woman whose search for self-identity led her to disguise herself as a man to fight in the American Revolution.

Portraying Deborah Sampson as someone whose “spirit was always a little too large” (presumably to conform to gender expectations), Anderson follows her independent-minded subject from youthful chores in which she discovered “pieces of herself” to life as a “masterless woman” operating a loom in a public house, enlistment—after one false start under another name—as “Robert Shurtliff,” and military career. Despite being wounded in battle, she was able to conceal her sex until after the war, when she fell ill on duty…but thanks to a sympathetic doctor and commanding officer, rather than being forcibly ejected she was granted an honorable discharge. Her legacy as a feminist icon and the rest of her long life, which included lecture tours as well as marrying and raising a family, are left to a long afterword in which the author describes her own fruitless search through scanty primary and secondary sources for insight into Sampson’s character and motives. Lambelet likewise adds vignettes and larger scenes of a tall, generic figure working busily at various tasks or, switching from period dresses to breeches, marching and fighting redcoats along with a mix of light- and dark-skinned comrades. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

An admiring, if distant, feminist character study. (bibliography) (Picture-book biography. 7-9)

Kirkus Reviews