Why Not, Lafayette? - Hardcover

Fritz, Jean

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 039923411X ISBN 13: 9780399234118

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile, 1999

Synopsis

This biography explores the life of this French soldier who fought side-by-side with General Washington during the Revolutionary War and then returned home to France with similar principles of liberty for which he fought for many years.

About this title

About the Author

Acclaimed biographer, Jean Fritz, was born in China where she lived until the age of thirteen. She tells her story in Homesick, My Own Story, a Newbery Honor Book.

     Ms Fritz is the author of forty-five books for children and young people. Many center on historical American figures, gaining her a reputation as the premier author of biographies for children and young people.

     Among the prestigious awards Ms. Fritz has garnered are: a medal from the National Endowment for the Humanities, a May Hill Arbuthnot Lecture, a Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, an American Book Award, a Christopher Award, a Boston Globe-Horn Book Non-Fiction Award, a New York Times Notable Book of the Year, and many ALA Notable Books of the Year, School Library Journal Best Books of the Year, and ALA Booklist Editors’ Choice Awards. 

 

Reviews

With her typically light touch, Fritz (You Want Women to Vote, Lizzie Stanton?) presents a brief and colorful biography of the aristocratic young Frenchman who played an integral role in the American Revolution. Bored with the leisurely life of a court nobleman and longing for glory, the 19-year-old marquis defied not only his father-in-law but his king to help the Americans in their fight for freedom. His fiery, passionate personality (as well as his much-needed money) earned him a place in the hearts of many colonists, particularly George Washington, and he won renown through several battles, including the decisive encounter at Yorktown. After the war, when Lafayette returned to France, he became embroiled in the revolutionary politics of the age, spending time in jail during the Reign of Terror despite his liberal leanings and standing up to Napoleon and, later, King Charles X when they ignored their promises to the people of France. Thanks to the dynamic portraits of military and political figures, readers with no background in French or American revolutionary history will easily make sense of the rush of battles and political wrangling described here. As usual, Fritz works in humanizing details: Washington's distaste for physical display was such that he once scolded Alexander Hamilton for playfully slapping him on the shoulder; near the end of her life, Lafayette's wife professed to be so in love with her husband that she often felt faint just looking at him. Lively, vigorous and just plain fun to read. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Fritz (You Want Women To Vote, Lizzie Stanton?, 1995, etc.), another winning portrait of a colorful historical figure with whom most readers will have but a nodding acquaintance. Rich, bored, 19, and thirsty for glory, Lafayette impulsively bought a ship in 1777 and sailed away to join the American colonists in their fight against Britain. An ardent admirer of George Washington and of republican ideas``It was as if he had not only been plunged into the very stuff of liberty, but had been swished around in it until he was soaked through''Lafayette became a war hero, returned to France for a long career as a political firebrand, then, in his late 60s, came back to this country for a 5,000-mile-long triumphal tour. Fritz adds tellingand usually entertainingdetails so effectively that readers will be stirred even at this distance by Lafayette's accomplishments, personal gifts as a leader and mediator, and lifelong idealism. (b&w illustrations, not seen, notes, bibliography) (Biography. 10-13) -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Fritz returns with another of her lively biographies, chock-full of quotes, anecdotes, and wry humor. This time she examines the life of General Lafayette, the young French leader who was an instrumental figure in the American Revolution. After the briefest mention of his childhood, she jumps straight to 1777, when the 20-year-old marquis set sail for the colonies to offer his military services. Fritz does a solid job of documenting his role fighting for democracy both in the U.S. and in France, and she is a master at bringing the small moments to life. Less successful are her attempts at condensing events of the Revolution: descriptions of Benedict Arnold's treason and Lafayette's victory in Yorktown are sketchy and undramatic, and they may confuse readers without much prior knowledge of the events. The biography hits its highest point in the closing chapters, as Lafayette returns to America for a final visit. Her portrait of the aging general welcomed by cheering crowds and old friends is an emotional climax to an account well told. Illustrations by Ronald Himler add to the atmosphere, and notes and a bibliography are appended. Randy Meyer

Grade 5-8-In an informal yet informative narrative, Fritz presents the life of the French nobleman who came to espouse the democratic cause and worked toward achieving it. He not only fought successfully in the American Revolution, and proved himself as a leader of men, but also participated in advancing freedom in his own country and freed slaves in French territories. The author recounts the Marquis's full and honorable life, which spanned many important events in history including the French Revolution and the rise and fall of Napoleon. There is a lot of history contained in a little over 70 pages but despite its brevity, the book provides a great deal of information. A background knowledge of the time is useful to understanding some of the events fully. A well-executed, full-page pencil drawing appears in every chapter and serves to enliven the presentation. This competently written and documented title will not disappoint Fritz's many fans.
Marlene Gawron, Orange County Library, Orlando, FL
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 039923411X
• ISBN 13: 9780399234118
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 96