Patience Wright: America's First Sculptor and Revolutionary Spy

Patience Wright: America's First Sculptor and Revolutionary Spy

Written by: Pegi Deitz Shea
Illustrated by: Bethanne Andersen

"Born in 1725 in the American colonies, Patience Wright discovered her talent for art at an early age. As an adult, she joined her sister in a wax-sculpting business and later moved on her own to England. There, Patience became a spy for the colonies, hiding messages in the sculpted busts she sent to her sister's waxworks in America. Here is the story of a woman who lived an extraordinary life, full of art and intrigue."

Publishers Synopsis

Online Resources:
http://www.womenhistoryblog.com/2009/01/patience-lovell-wright.html
http://bordentownhistory.org/Current_Exhibits/PatielceWright/index.html

Independent Dames: What You Never Knew About the Women and Girls of the American Revolution

Independent Dames: What You Never Knew About the Women and Girls of the American Revolution

Written by: Laurie Halse Anderson
Illustrated by: Mark Faulkner

"Listen up! You've all heard about the great men who led and fought during the American Revolution; but did you know that the guys only make up part of the story? What about the women? The girls? The dames? Didn't they play a part?

Of course they did, and with page after page of superbly researched information and thoughtfully detailed illustrations, acclaimed novelist and picture-book author Laurie Halse Anderson and charismatic illustrator Matt Faulkner prove the case in this entertaining, informative, and long overdue homage to those independent dames!"

Product Description

Online Resources:
http://madwomanintheforest.com/youngreaders-independent-dames/

Those Remarkable Women of the American Revolution

Those Remarkable Women of the American Revolution

Written by: Karen Zeinert

"Zeinert chronicles the many contributions made by women during the Revolutionary War. She describes the role of both patriots and loyalists; black and Indian women; Northern women as well as those on Southern plantations, showing how the war forced them to assume nontraditional roles, such as protecting the homefront and taking on men's duties like farming and keeping the books."

School Library Journal Review

Online Resources:
http://score.rims.k12.ca.us/score_lessons/women_american_revolution/
http://userpages.aug.com/captbarb/femvets.html

Crossing the Delaware: A History in Many Voices

Crossing the Delaware: A History in Many Voices

Written by: Louise Peacock
Illustrated by: Walter Lyon Krudop

"The Revolution did seem nearly over in the harsh winter of 1776. The Continental Army, led by General George Washington, had suffered many defeats and had made many retreats. Now the soldiers found themselves encamped on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware River, across from three Hessian regiments occupying the town of Trenton, New Jersey. Tired, cold, ill-clothed, and ill-equipped to fight, most of them were ready to go home when their enlistments were up. Only decisive action could possibly win General Washington a battle -- and save the Revolution.

A variety of voices in a variety of forms -- a present-day narrator, the letters of a fictional soldier, and true accounts from the time -- are brought together with period images and Walter Lyon Krudop's dramatic art to make vivid the critical moments of Washington's crossing of the Delaware. Readers cannot help but come away with a new appreciation of what the Battle of Trenton means for us today."

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://chnm.gmu.edu/acpstah/units_acps.php?acpstahid=3

The Secret Soldier: The Story of Deborah Sampson

The Secret Soldier: The Story of Deborah Sampson

Written by: Ann McGovern

"When "Robert Shurtliff" enlists as a common soldier in the Continental army, no one suspects there is anything unusual about him. The new soldier serves bravely for a year and a half. It is not until he is hospitalized with fever that his secret is discovered. Private Shurtliff is really a woman - 23 year-old Deborah Sampson! Deborah longs for a life of her own. When she leaves the Thomas family at the age of eighteen, she is not ready to settle down and get married. She wants to see a bit of the wold first - to travel to big cities like Boston, Philadelphia, and New York.

If she were a man, she could find adventure by joining the army... How Deborah keeps her identity a secret during long, exhausting marches and bloody raids against the Tories, and how her bravery brings the admiration of her fellow soldiers, her commanding general, and finally her county, makes exciting, suspenseful reading."

Product Description

Online Resources:
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/collateral.jsp?id=1003

Johnny Tremain

Johnny Tremain

Written by: Ester Forbes

"A story filled with danger and excitement, Johnny Tremain tells of the turbulent, passionate times in Boston just before the Revolutionary War. Johnny, a young apprentice silversmith, is caught up in a dramatic involvement with James Otis, John Hancock,and John and Samuel Adams in the exciting currents and undercurrents that were to lead to the Boston Tea Party and the Battle of Lexington -- and finally, a touching resolution of Johnny's personal life.

Johnny Tremain is a historical fiction at its best, portraying Revolutionary Boston as a living drama, through the shrewd eyes of an observant boy."

Publisher's Description

Online Resources:
http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/score/Tremain/tremaintg.html

John, Paul, George & Ben

John, Paul, George & Ben

Written and Illustrated by: Lane Smith

"Once there were four lads... John (Hancock) , Paul (Revere) , George (Washington) , and Ben (Franklin) . Oh yes, there was also Tom (Jefferson) , but he was always off doing his own thing, so people usually forgot about him. The lads were always getting into trouble for one reason or another. Johns handwriting was bigger than all the other kids. Paul's ear-splitting job as a bell-ringer made him speak a LITTLE TOO LOUDLY all the time. George was too honest for his own good. Ben was always talking in proverbs.... And Tom, well, he was just plain independent. But somehow, these five lads grew up to start a revolution that would change this country forever. Legendary artist Lane Smith has created a totally fresh and funny way to learn about the Founding Fathers of our country with just a few liberties mixed in."

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://www.colquitt.k12.ga.us/public_lib/book%20pages/john_paul_george__ben.htm

George vs. George: The American Revolution As Seen from Both Sides

George vs. George: The American Revolution As Seen from Both Sides

Written by: Rosalyn Schanzer

"There are two sides to every story. Rosalyn Schanzer's engaging and wonderfully illustrated book brings to life both sides of the American Revolution. The narrative introduces anew the two enemies, both named George: George Washington, the man who freed the American colonies from the British, and George III, the British king who lost them. Two leaders on different sides of the Atlantic, yet with more in common than we sometimes acknowledge. We are lead through their story, and the story of their times, and see both sides of the arguments that divided the colonies from the Kingdom. Was King George a "Royal Brute" as American patriots claimed? Or was he, as others believed, "the father of the people?" Was George Washington a scurrilous traitor, as all the king's supporters claimed? Or should we remember and celebrate him as "the father of his country?" Who was right? History teaches us that there are two sides to every story."

Publisher's Description

Online Resources:
http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/revolution-images/
http://www.writingfix.com/WAC/HistoryFix/George_vs_George1.htm

Give Me Liberty! The Story of the Declaration of Independence

Give Me Liberty! The Story of the Declaration of Independence

Written by: Russell Freedman

"Known for his stellar biographies and superb nonfiction, Freedman now offers a fine book about the creation of one of the nation's most important historical documents. The first five chapters vividly bring to life the events that led to Colonial uprising and revolt. The next three chapters describe the Second Continental Congress, formation of the Continental Army, Battle of Bunker Hill, and drafting of the Declaration by Thomas Jefferson.

The final chapter discusses the impact of the famous document at the time it was written and its continuing importance, and offers practical information about its preservation, storage, and display. The author points out the important roles women, slaves, and free blacks played in the Revolution, but is also careful to note the restrictions placed on these groups by the white male majority. Quotations from journals, essays, speeches, letters, and songs of the day add color to the compelling narration. Many bold reproductions, in color and black and white, supplement the text. A must for every collection."

School Library Journal Review

Online Resources:
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/collateral.jsp?id=787_type=Book_typeId=2637
http://www.mce.k12tn.net/revolutionary_war/american_revolution.htm

If You Were There in 1776

If You Were There in 1776

Written by: Barbara Brenner

"This book demonstrates how the concepts and principles expressed in the Declaration of Independence were drawn from the experiences of living in America in the late eighteenth century, with emphasis given to how children lived on a New England farm, a Southern plantation, and the frontier."

Publishers Description


Online Resources:
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/lessonplans/programs/therevolutionarywar/

The Littlest Vaquero: A Story of the First Texas Cowboys, Longhorns, & the American Revolution

The Littlest Vaquero: A Story of the First Texas Cowboys, Longhorns, & the American Revolution

Written by: Maureen Liles

"During a cattle drive from Texas to Louisiana aiding the American Revolutionary war effort, hard work earns young Manuel Ruafaz the right to call himself a true vaquero, a professional horseman and herder. Set in 1779, this work of historical fiction focuses on a little-known aspect of history but suffers from an awkward, stilted narration. Black-and-white drawings appear throughout."

Horn Book Review

Online Resources:
http://edtech.kennesaw.edu/web/amrevol.html

Which Way to the Revolution? A Book About Maps

Which Way to the Revolution? A Book About Maps

Written and Illustrated by: Bob Barner

"Students will be able to follow along on the map as Paul Revere warns the colonists of the impending battle with the Redcoats. Of course, this time, Paul is aided by some clever mice who help him with his mission."

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://www.theteacherscorner.net/thematicunits/american.htm