George Washington's Socks (Apple Paperbacks)

Woodruff, Elvira

ISBN 10: 0780727045 ISBN 13: 9780780727045

Publisher: Perfection Learning, 1993

Synopsis

When five kids take a walk along Lake Levart late one night, a mysterious wooden rowboat beckons them aboard. As if in a trance, they all step inside. But what they don't realize is that this enchanted boat is headed backward in time -- to the time of George Washington. And their neighborhood lake has been transformed into the icy Delaware River on the eve of the battle at Trenton. How will they ever find their way back to the safety of their familiar suburban homes?

As Matthew, Quentin, Hooter, Tony, and Katie experience the American Revolution firsthand and learn the sobering realities of war, Elvira Woodruff spins a compelling historic fantasy that won't soon be forgotten.

About this title

About the Author

The bestselling author of GEORGE WASHINGTON'S SOCKS and THE RAVENMASTER'S SECRET, Woodruff has written more than twenty books for children, including picture books, historical fiction, and lighthearted fantasy. Her numerous school visits each year are popular with kids and teachers. The sequel to GEORGE WASHINGTON'S SOCKS, GEORGE WASHINGTON'S SPY, will be published in November 2010. She lives with her family in Martin's Creek, Pennsylvania.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6-- Time travel and historical fiction combine in this novel of the American Revolution. During a camp out, ten-year-old Matthew, his younger sister Katie, and three friends board an old rowboat and are transported to the Delaware River in 1776. The children are caught up in the conflict between the patriots and the Hessians; an encounter with some Indians is thrown in for good measure. Matthew makes friends with a thoroughly believable young foot soldier who dies in the snow. Washington is portrayed as a kind but battle-weary leader who gives Katie his socks to keep her wet feet warm. This story is strongest in its portrayal of the realities of 18th-century warfare. The harrowing river crossing, the confusion, the terrible weather, and the constant deprivations faced by the soldiers are all clearly and vividly described. Unfortunately, the sequences set in modern times seem contrived and pale by comparison; they are never more than a vehicle to get to 1776. The children have an unsophisticated, "gee-whiz" quality about them that readers will find hard to digest. Dialogue is wooden. Time-shift historical novels, such as Janet Lunn's The Root Cellar (Scribners, 1983) can work effectively. In this case, however, the characters from modern America simply don't measure up to those out of history. The overly cute title and cover art to match are unfortunate as well. The book will be most useful where such stories can support curricular needs in American history. --Bruce Anne Shook, Mendenhall Middle School, Greensboro, NC
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Perfection Learning
• Publication date: 1993
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0780727045
• ISBN 13: 9780780727045
• Binding: Library Binding
• Number of pages: 166