A Kids' Guide to the American Revolution

December 1, 2017

Gr 5-8-Krull takes the American Revolution by the horns and drags it out of the doldrums. Her chatty prose shows it for what it was-a gutsy "blowup between a parent figure and unruly children" that was "deadly, messy, scary, and suspenseful." Oh, and did we mention world-shaking? Chockablock with interesting incidents (see "The Crucial Lee Resolution," when "It was an appropriate time to be twitchy"), and fascinating factoids such as "the median age of the colonists was 16," this is a history book that can be read for pleasure. How interesting to discover the Stamp Act meant not postage fees, but the fee for an official stamp on "anything made of paper"-books, licenses, contracts, newspapers, and court documents included. Sidebars include brief biographies of variously famous and unknown personages, quotes from contemporaries and later historians, and tidbits to whet the appetite for more. The main focus of the text is dedicated to the daring and the determination on the part of the rebelling colonists. And to the lasting, powerful message of the Declaration of Independence. Krull does touch on slavery, racism, the use of black troops, and on the decisions made by various Native American tribes who had little reason to favor any white government. However, the generic use of the terms Indians and slaves is disappointing. VERDICT An eminently readable look at a rebellion for large collections.-Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 1, 2017
Grades 4-7 Following her historical overview A Kids' Guide to America's First Ladies (2017), Krull turns her attention to the American Revolution. As the author leads children through an easy-to-comprehend chronology of the warfrom the colonization of the New World and the growing division from England to the establishment of the Continental Congress and decisive battlesshe also introduces key figures and their roles in the revolution. In the process, Krull dispels many myths (e.g., Paul Revere was captured by the British before he could finish his now infamous ride) and considers the treatment of women and slaves during this time period. Plenty of sketches, quotes, and tidbits of information (for instance, the jackets of British soldiers were probably red because it was the cheapest and easiest color to produce at the time) keep the subject lively. The final chapter looks at life in the U.S. following the revolution, such as the tragic fate of Indian nations, and the legacy of the Declaration of Independence. Krull's concise guide captures the essence of this pivotal war.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)