The American Revolution was the only major revolution in the last 250 years, or maybe the only one in all history, to result in a stable government that gave more freedom to the people than the government that was overthrown. The details of the Revolution are fascinating, full of bravery and ingenuity. The major battles are important to know but there are so many interesting stories between the battles that should not be missed. The historical novels reviewed below are all at roughly a middle school level, though older and good-reading younger students can enjoy them, too.
We all learn about the midnight ride of Paul Revere (and William Dawes), the battles of Lexington and Concord, and the siege of Boston. But while this was all going on, the patriots in the southern colonies like Virginia were not idle. The Scarlet Badge, by Wilma Pitcherford Hays (prolific writer, almost every one of her books is worth reading), tells the exciting story, in the form of an historical novel, of what was simultaneously happening in Virginia. The patriots there drove out the royal governor and gained independence for the colony of Virginia, among other accomplishments. This is a story that we might not know about.
Most of 1776 was not a good year for the American Revolution. Midnight Patriot, by Emma Patterson, tells the story of this time when the British chased General Washington out of New York city and occupied it. Her hero and heroine are Phillip van Dorn and his wife, Joanna, a wealthy couple in the upper crust of society. Joanna is a patriot while Phillip appears to be neutral or perhaps even a mild supporter of the British. The conflict between them and their mostly-patriot families mirrors the conflict in the city around them. However, General Washington kept a close eye on New York city through a network of spies that he very quickly learned how to skillfully run. Unknown to his wife, Philip’s pro-British stance is a cover for him – he is a spy for the Colonial Army who reports to Washington’s spy network. The life of a spy is not an easy one, and Phillip experiences a mixture of excitement and heart-stopping terror. Many familiar revolutionary figures from this time appear in the book, helping to blend historical fiction and historical reality.
Like spies, the role of courier is clandestine and, again like spies, can be enormously important. For a rebel army in the field, where does the money come from to support the soldiers? Especially when an occupying army, with many local sympathizers (Tories) are on the lookout for anyone seeking to help that army. Patriot’s Gold, by Virginia Frances Voight, is about Sam, an eager 14-year-old who finds his situation as a printer’s apprentice boring. He would much rather be a soldier in the rebel army but is too young. However, through a series of events, he becomes a secret courier who delivers gold money to General Washington during the American Revolution. He is not a spy but woe to him if the British catch him with coins for the rebel army in his courier bag! This money, coming from the Continental Congress and private donors, was critical for maintaining the army without which the Revolution would have collapsed in ignominious defeat.
Horseshoe Nails, by Laura Benet, sister of the famous poet and writer Stephen Vincent Benet (he wrote the classic story The Devil and Daniel Webster and the Pulitzer Prize-winning epic poem John Brown’s Body) is a lovely short novel set in the American Revolution. I know because I read it once. Now, if I could remember any details from the story, I would tell them to you. Perhaps just read this book as a surprise!