Young Patriots

by Marcella Fisher Anderson, Elizabeth Vollstadt

Overview

Major events of the American Revolution are brought to life in this collection of historical fiction that shows young people caught up in the dangers, hardships, and conflicts of America's fight for independence. A young girl proves her courage in Concord on April 19, 1775, and a young boy and his dog catch a Tory spy after they cross the Delaware with Washington's men on Christmas night, 1776. Other stories show life during the siege of Charleston, a journey home in the middle of the battle of Saratoga, a young soldier's decision at Valley Forge, family conflicts in Savannah, an unlikely friendship at the surrender at Yorktown, and finally, a young boy witnessing the inauguration of President Washington. Brief introductions provide historical background for each of the fifteen stories. Sidebars, maps, and illustrations help make history alive and exciting. Also included are a timeline and suggestions for further reading.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781629791876
Publisher:	Astra Publishing House
Publication date:	03/01/2004
Sold by:	Penguin Random House Publisher Services
Format:	eBook
Pages:	156
Lexile:	820L (what's this?)
File size:	4 MB
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Marcella Fisher Anderson is also the compiler of Reflections from a Mud Puddle, an anthology of stories and poems for children facing challenges. She lives in Pepper Pike, Ohio.

Editorial Reviews

Gr 4-7-These stories, several of which appeared in Highlights for Children and Jack and Jill, are accompanied by historical introductions and "Did you know-?" and "Do you wonder-?" extensions. The five sections focus on the years immediately prior to the war, the initiation of hostilities, important engagements in the north and the south, and the early years of the new nation. In "The Day the Bell Rang," for example, Enoch and his father hear the chiming of the State House bell as they do chores on their farm. While his father stays behind to work, Enoch goes into town and learns, from Ben Franklin himself, that the Colonies have declared their independence from Britain. "Constitution Summer" finds Mary, dressed as a boy so that she can sell newspapers, in Philadelphia during the Constitutional Convention. Other stories highlight Jewish Americans, friends and families on opposite sides of the freedom issue, and the first inauguration. These unlinked selections are more likely to be used curricularly in connection with a study of the Colonies and the war rather than as free reading by students themselves.-Coop Renner, Fairmeadows Elementary, Duncanville, TX Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal

These stories of the American Revolution have "imagined young people into many of the key incidents of the era." A young girl's role in the Boston Tea Party, a boy's sledding down British-controlled Sherburn's Hill in Boston, a girl in Philadelphia during "Constitution Summer," and a friendship between a colonial boy and a British drummer at Yorktown suggest ways young people were involved in the larger political and military arenas. Lexington and Concord, Trenton, Saratoga, Valley Forge, and Kings Mountain are some of the famous scenes of the Revolution brought to life here. Some characters are actual historical figures; others are fictional creations. Though the stories are contrived and light, they cover much ground, offer accessible, brief introductions to many sides of the war, and have obvious value for history classrooms. The bibliography offers a fine selection of fiction, nonfiction, and Web sites for young readers. (foreword, introduction, timeline, glossary) (Fiction. 9-12)

Kirkus Reviews