The American Revolution

April 15, 2017
A history buff and blogger provides an engaging look at the cast of characters and events that led to the founding of the United States.Following brief background on what was happening in various parts of the world, the saga of the colonists' rebellion against Great Britain unfolds. Interestingly, there is no mention of African countries even though most of Europe was actively involved in trade on Africa's west coast. The narrative follows the chronology of events and discusses the major players. Each chapter opens with a quote that sets the stage and is enlivened by excerpts of letters from the times. The many interesting sidebars include a set that describes all the flags flown by both sides during the conflict as well as an exploration of whether Benjamin Franklin really favored the turkey as the national bird. These tidbits serve to add zip to the story without breaking its flow. The strength here, as in others in the series, is the lively storytelling style. Thompson uses pop-culture references to engage the most history-averse readers. While most of the individuals spotlighted are men, there are a few stories of women who contributed to the effort. What is not included is much attention to the roles of African-Americans or Native Americans who fought on both sides. The backmatter includes an index (not seen) and a bibliography that includes general sources and specific books for many of the chapters. Both fans of others in the series and lovers of Hamilton: An American Musical will enjoy the information and breezy tone. (Nonfiction. 8-12)

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May 1, 2017

Gr 4-7-Employing slang and modern jargon, Thompson describes the events of and leading up to the American Revolution, from 1765 until the creation of the U.S. Constitution. Readers learn of the Stamp Act, the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, and the leaders of the revolution. Lively and detailed accounts of battles are spiced with interesting tidbits: an 80-year-old former soldier fended off six British soldiers single-handedly at the Battle of Lexington; a mysterious orphan charged the British stronghold at Stony Point, NY; Deborah Sampson, posing as a man, pulled a bullet out of her thigh rather than seek medical attention so as to keep her gender a secret; and more. Interspersed are details about several of the American leaders. This selection is comprehensive and provides a good overview of the revolution. A few facts are incorrect or misrepresented: Thompson implies that the Stamp Act was not repealed until after 1770; states that the Tories captured by Nancy Hart were taken prisoner (they were hanged); and claims that Henry Clinton sent Charles Cornwallis to invade the South in 1780 when he himself actually initiated the operation. Minor errors aside, the book is sure to enthrall readers. VERDICT Though there are other suitable titles that cover the Revolutionary War, such as Deborah Kent's The American Revolution: From Bunker Hill to Yorktown, Thompson's work is more entertaining and will attract readers looking for a relatable viewpoint.-Margaret Nunes, Gwinnett County Public Library, GA

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2017
Grades 4-7 For history-loving kids who want to get a tight grip on a topic, Thompson's books are a meaty delight. Digestible chapters packed with info, one-page bios hitting the highlights of their subject's lives, and sidebars full of interesting tidbits are all part of the appeal of the nonfiction Guts & Glory series (earlier titles cover topics like the Civil War and the Vikings). The newest tackles the American Revolution and its heroes and heroines in a number of entertaining ways: Thompson compares the British Empire versus the colonies to Star Wars and illuminates Lafayette as a tabloid-type superstar. The narrative moves swiftly as it covers ground from Canada to Florida. Occasionally the hyperbole stretches too far, as when the Brit Banastre Tarleton is painted as a British school jockrelatable, yes, but a bit simplistic. But amends are made with the recognition of a number of lesser-known players: Deborah Sampson, Mad Anthony Wayne, and the Culper spy ring. A very satisfying read that even adults will find useful.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)