Love 2 Learn.net

Setting:

Grade / Age level:

Elementary

Review:

One of the many books my wife discovered. After she read it aloud to the kids they wanted me to read it to them AGAIN at their nightly story time before bed. Though this novel is written for children I stayed up late to finish it myself after one such session! It takes place in England during the American Revolutionary War. The main character of the book is a captured American 'Rebel'. He is befriended by the children of the country house where he is held prisoner. But by his actions he proves so honorable that he is given freedom to roam the estate and is eventually even hired, during his captivity, to tutor the children in their studies. Everyone in the family begins to love him – but he is bound to escape and complete his mission. I will let YOU stay up late to find out what happens.

I found this book full of living examples of the many virtues that make up an honorable person (honesty, loyalty, integrity, desire to learn, courtesy, etc.) and yet also just plain enjoyable. The style includes glimpses into human nature that make you laugh when you unexpectedly recognize them.

Reviewed by:

John Van Hecke

First reviewed:

1998-99

The Reb and the Redcoats

Author(s):

Constance Savery

Number of pages:

203 pages

1961

ISBN:

9781883937423

Publisher:

Bethlehem Books

Binding:

Softcover

Sample Pages

Subject(s):

Setting:

United States

Grade / Age level:

Elementary

Review:

The Reb and the Redcoats is an adventurous historical fiction story about a British family during the American Revolution who "play host" to an American prisoner of war. 15 year old Randal is a well-educated Virginian who was sent on a military mission as a French interpreter. When he and his comrades are captured, he gives his captors no end of trouble with his escape attempts and is finally confined to an old penance cell at the estate of Laurence Templeton (which had once been a monastery). Things get interesting when Captain Templeton's elder sister, Mrs. Darrington and her four children arrive for an indefinite stay at the estate. The children are fascinated by the American Rebel and can't understand why Uncle Laurence is so resentful of his presence.

This is one of the most delightful stories I've read in a long time. Although it is recommended for ages 10 and up, our entire family enjoyed this story immensely. Not only is it a very enjoyable and well-told tale (with accurate historical details), but there are some very nice lessons tied into the story about how we should treat other people and how easy it is to misjudge.

Reviewed by:

Alicia Van Hecke

First reviewed:

1998-99

True to the Old Flag

Author(s):

G.A. Henty

Subject(s):

Setting:

Grade / Age level:

Review:

What would you say to a historical novel filled with action and adventure? What would you say to a book written with boys in mind by an author famous for his morally strong and upright heroes? What would you say to a book that gives the “other side” of the story? Well, I would say – “sounds wonderful; bring it on!” And this book, True to the Old Flag: A Tale of the American War for Independence, by G. A. Henty fulfills all these descriptions. His book is filled with action and adventure, from pre-Revolution events to post-Revolution occurrences. The book is definitely written with boys as the implied audience; and yes, his main character is morally strong, upright and virtuous. Further, this book is written from a loyalist viewpoint; his main character is Harold Wilson, the only child in a family of loyalists living in New England during the Revolution. Wilson serves under British officers fighting the fight as only the British can. George Alfred Henty (1832-1902), a novelist and “special correspondent”, was an avid imperialist – he felt that Britain’s conquering of the world was a great goal. Henty wrote this novel in 1885 in the heyday of Queen Victoria’s empire building. The ideal of British imperialism permeates True to the Old Flag. Snippets of the author’s British prejudice do creep in such as: …it is probably that these terms (of compromise) might have been accepted (by Colonists wavering between loyalty to England and independence) had it not been for the intervention of France. That power had all along encouraged the rebellion. She had smarted under the loss of Canada, … she was glad to assist in any movement which could operate to the disadvantage of this (England) country. (pg 261) We first meet Harold Wilson when he is visiting his maternal relatives out “west” in the wilderness of 1774 Michigan. Here the first thing Wilson does is save a young cousin from capture by some Indians; an act of bravery and intelligence that wins the heart of his young cousin and the gratitude of his aunt and uncle. When the war starts a couple of years later, Wilson can only fight on the British side. His family members (his father is from England and his mother, although born in America, accepts her husband’s ideals) are loyalists and still have many ties to England. Wilson, now a young man of 18, goes off to fight with Howe, Clinton and Cornwallis. Wilson sees it all and throughout the novel helps the reader see the major battle-fronts. From Lexington and Bunker Hill to Trenton and Saratoga; from Savannah to Cowpens and Guildford Court House the history is told through the eyes and ears of the young hero. The reader crawls through enemy lines with Wilson, spends time in an American prison with Wilson and goes to England with the now-defeated Wilson. This is a great book for a living history study of the Revolution from an out of the ordinary point of view. The reader needs to remember that this book was written in 1885 when prejudices and bigotry were still prevalent – some of the descriptions of the African-Americans, Native Americans and others would not be allowed in a book written today. Another small quibble is that the author occasionally loses the story in his desire to describe the battles; the voice becomes that of an outsider rather than Wilson, and the book turns a bit textbook-ish at these points. This book is definitely a great read for 4th-8th grade readers wanting to know a bit more about the American Revolution and how some Americans could take up the old flag against the new.

Some prejudicial/bigoted remarks about African-Americans, Native Americans and others; also the author occasionally loses his "narrator" voice and becomes text-bookish with his descriptions of the battles.

Reviewed by:

Mary C. Gildersleeve

First reviewed:

11-2-2008

Whigs and Tories

An American Revolution Reading List

Author(s):

Elizabeth Yank

Number of pages:

42 pages

2000

Publisher:

Ita Pater Publications

Binding:

Loose-leaf (binder-ready)

Subject(s):

History

Setting:

Grade / Age level:

All ages

Resource Type:

General Resource

Review:

This is an extensive reading list, from a Catholic perspective, on materials relating to or taking place at the same time as the American Revolution. The extensive introduction gives tips and ideas for studying the revolution, choosing books, and how to proceed. The list is broken up into the following categories: Grades K-3 Series, Grades K-3 Individual Titles, Grades 3-6 Series, Grades 3-6, Individual Titles, Grades 5-Up Series, Grades 5-Up Individual Titles, Grades 7-Up Series, Grades 7-Up Individual Titles and Grades 10-Up Individual Titles. Many of the titles include short descriptions and hundreds of books are covered. This resource also includes a Timeline of the American Revolution, books about contemporary figures (such as Blessed Junipero Serra), a list of "Prominent Catholics in the American Revolution" – an essay about Catholicism during the American Revolution, and a listing of good Catholic textbooks and Reference books that cover the American Revolution. The Appendix lists companies that sell those books (currently in print) that are recommended in this resource.

Perspective:

Catholic

Reviewed by:

Alicia Van Hecke

First reviewed:

8-8-2000

The Swamp Fox of the Revolution

Author(s):

Stewart Holbrook

Number of pages:

146 pages

1959

ISBN:

9781402757037

Publisher:

Sterling Point Books

Binding:

Softcover

Subject(s):

Biographies

Setting:

Grade / Age level:

Review:

Back in print! This interesting and entertaining story is a biography of Revolutionary War General Francis Marion and his significant but oft-forgotten role in winning our independence. Marion is a very interesting character I should have learned about in my history classes in grade school! He fought the British against what seemed like impossible odds (in the Southern Colonies) and ended up playing a very significant role in winning the British surrender. His courage and mercy (he allows his prisoners go free if they promise not to rejoin the other side) are admirable.

The reprint retains the index from the original Landmark book.

Additional notes:

Originally published by Random House in 1959 as a Landmark book.

Reprinted 2008 by Sterling Point Books. Book details are for the reprint.

Reviewed by:

Alicia Van Hecke

First reviewed:

1998-99

The Sally Series

Away Goes Sally, Five Bushel Farm, The Fair American, The White Horse, The Wonderful Day

Author(s):

Elizabeth Coatsworth

Illustrator(s):

Helen Sewell

Publisher:

Bethlehem Books

Binding:

Paperback

Subject(s):

History

Setting:

Grade / Age level:

Grades 3-5

Review:

The Sally Books by Elizabeth Coatsworth Away Goes Sally (pgs 117), Five Bushel Farm (pgs 142), The Fair American (pgs 134), The White Horse (pgs 168), The Wonderful Day (pgs 139) In our house, we always have at least two read-alouds going: one that I read to the kids during the day and the other in the evening that Dad reads to the kids before bed. We do this year-round, so even in the summer-time we’re doing our read-alouds. My kids particularly like a series of books read to them – either books by the same author, books about the same characters or books about the same theme. Just as we finished our “regular” school year this year, we received the Sally series by Elizabeth Coatsworth. We liked this series so much, we have talked Dad into reading them again at night later this summer! Sally, an indomitable orphan growing up in the state of Maine during the 1790s with aunts and uncles, is a wonderfully drawn character whose “Pollyanna” attitude toward life never seems fake, but rather that of a girl who has a warm heart, living in a loving family. These books span just a few years but include bits of information about the French Revolution and the Barbary pirates marauding the Mediterranean. We learned so much not only about rural life “back then” but these books also set us off on rabbit trails to learn about the French Revolution, the French-Indian Wars, and the African pirates and the despotism of the sultans of the era. The first book, Away Goes Sally, sets the stage for the other books. It’s 1790 and 10-year-old Sally lives with her aunts: Nannie (the eldest and thus, in charge and very domineering), Esther (the youngest), Deborah (the quiet, shy, amenable aunt). Two uncles are also in the house: Joseph (head of the household) and Eben (lazy but lovable). The five adults, all siblings, work hard to give Sally a life full of love and faith in Massachusetts. A cousin invites the family to immigrate to the “wilds of Maine” where land is abundant and fertile. Exactly how Uncle Joseph gets Aunt Nannie to move is the plot – and did we wish we were Sally along for the ride! Five Bushel Farm starts out in Maine with Sally’s relatives, the Hallets. Cousin Ephraim has found an orphan who needs love and brings him into his house, which is anything but loving. Once Sally and her aunts and uncles get settled in Maine, they bring the orphan to their loving home as one of the aunts goes off to marry. Friendly Native Americans and building a farm are described in great detail; finding the perfect spot for their farm, and the reason behind the name of the book, create a picture of putting down roots in more ways than one. The French Revolution comes into play in the third book, The Fair American. Pierre, the son of a courtier, must flee his family estate just before villagers, fired by revolutionary fever, set it ablaze. Escape from France means boarding a ship where we finally re-meet Sally and Andrew. I loved the way Coatsworth linked the French Revolution to peace-filled America. A year after the adventures aboard the Fair American, Sally and Andrew convince Aunt Nannie to allow Sally to set sail again, this time for Italy. The White Horse opens with Sally and Andrew sailing into the Mediterranean on a seemingly easy voyage. An easy voyage until the ship is attacked by pirates, the captives taken to Morocco, and imprisoned in a sultan’s palace. How the characters co-exist with the Muslims in a sultan’s palace is the point of the novel. Sally’s love of life helps all around in these trying times and the conclusion is exciting in this, the longest book of the series. The series ends with The Wonderful Day. Sally is about 16 or so and finding it hard to be the “lady” Aunt Nannie would like her to be. Still full of love and life, Sally starts the day with great optimism which quickly turns to dismay when Sally discovers that her Uncle Joseph is in financial trouble. “Saving the day” is Sally’s job as the day and troubles compound. This book brings up an interesting idea of trust, honesty and how easy it could be to dupe those who believe everyone is as honest as they are. This series is suitable for independent readers about age 8 and up. It proved a great read-aloud series for my 6 and 10 year old boys and my 9 year old daughter. We all loved the books and they fit well with our study of American history this year, reinforcing what we learned.

Reviewed by:

Mary C. Gildersleeve

First reviewed:

6-18-2009

Hope's Revolutionary War Diary

Author(s):

Kristiana Gregory

Number of pages:

107 pages

2003

ISBN:

9780439369053

Publisher:

Scholastic

Binding:

Softcover

Subject(s):

Setting: