Henry Knox: Bookseller, Soldier, Patriot - Hardcover

Silvey, Anita

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0618274855 ISBN 13: 9780618274857

Publisher: Clarion Books, 2010

Synopsis

A hearty eater, dapper dresser, bookseller to Loyalists and Patriots alike,and married into a staunch Loyalist family, Henry Knox may seem an unlikely hero.But his fascination with warfare and strategy and his support of the Patriot cause prepared him to do what no one else thought was possible: transport heavy artillery from Fort Ticonderoga, up and down snow-covered hills and across frozen lakes, to relieve the siege of Boston. The dramatic story of his achievements is all the more satisfying for being absolutely true, a little-known episode in the history of the American Revolution. Source notes, time line, bibliography, map.

About this title

About the Author:

Anita Silvey has spent more than forty years in the children's book field, including several years as the Vice President and Publisher of Childrens Books for Houghton Mifflin Company, and eleven years as editor-in-chief at the Horn Book Magazine, during which time she launched the bi-annual publication of the Horn Book Guide. She is the author of "100 Best Books for Children" and the Children's Book-A-Day Almanac (childrensbookalmanac.com)

From School Library Journal:

Gr 3-6–This is a beautifully illustrated introduction to a lesser-known Revolutionary War figure. As a child, Knox worked in a bookstore where he read about engineering and military history and became fascinated by machinery. He went on to open his own bookstore and specialized in works on military science. After fleeing Boston due to the intensifying conflict with British soldiers, he soon joined the Continental Army. He was then named head of artillery, though the army's only artillery was 300 miles away at Fort Ticonderoga. Silvey emphasizes Knox's obstinacy in the face of challenges. It was this spirit, she argues, that spurred him to oversee transport of 12,000 pounds of artillery over frozen mountains and lakes to General Washington in Boston. The narrative ends with his success. Further details on the war and on Knox's life are provided in a time line. Silvey's account is admiring but unornamented, and history buffs and future engineers especially will find some inspiration here beyond the biography report. Minor brings the arduous journey to life through vivid paintings of the Colonial figures and unforgiving landscape. Many are presented in striking spreads. Richard M. Strum's biography (OTTN, 2007) is highly readable and more comprehensive, but Minor's engaging paintings of a memorable incident will make a nice supplement to Revolutionary War units.–Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

About this edition

• Publisher: Clarion Books
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 0618274855
• ISBN 13: 9780618274857
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 40
• Illustrator: Minor Wendell