Synopses & Reviews
The rousing true tale of an American Revolution heroine.When her husband joined General Washingtons army, Molly Hays went with him. All through the winter at Valley Forge, Molly watched and listened. Then in July, in the battle at Monmouth, she would show how much she had learned. Molly could tell the day would be a scorcher, so she decided to bring water from a nearby spring to the fighting men. More than 50 British soldiers would die of heatstroke that day, but the American soldiers need only cry, “Molly–pitcher!” On one trip through the fighting field, she saw her husband get shot. She satisfied herself that he wouldnt die from his wound, then took over his job–firing off the cannon!
Molly epitomized the feisty, self-reliant spirit of the colonists who would soon win their battle for independence–and her story has rightly become a beloved legend of American history.
Synopsis
When her husband joined General Washington's army, Molly Hays went with him. Molly epitomized the feisty, self-reliant spirit of the colonists who would soon win their battle for independence--and her story has rightly become a beloved legend of American history.
About the Author
Anne Rockwell has been an innovator in childrens books for nearly 30 years.
Cynthia von Buhlers illustrations have appeared in books, magazines, and on
CD covers.
Teacher Guide
ABOUT THIS BOOK
This easy-to-read picture book biography tells the story of Molly Hays, the woman who became known as Molly Pitcher because she carried water to thirsty soldiers during the American Revolution.
William Hays joined General George Washington’s soldiers at Valley Forge in 1777. His wife, Molly, followed him to cook, wash clothing, and care for the sick. When news came in the spring of 1778 that the British were waging a battle at Monmouth Courthouse, General Washington’s soldiers marched toward the colony of New Jersey, and Molly Hays marched with them. While the British had trouble with the heat, the American soldiers survived because Molly Hays brought them cool spring water in a dented pewter pitcher that she had packed with her few possessions. As the battle heightened, Molly could hear the urgent cries of “Molly–Pitcher!” During one of her trips, she saw her husband wounded and unable to fire his cannon. Molly, now affectionately known as Molly Pitcher, fired the cannon herself, which earned her title of sergeant in the Continental Army.
ABOUT THIS AUTHOR
Anne Rockwell has been writing children’s books for over thirty-five years. Most recently she’s been combining her two loves, history and storytelling, in her well-received picture book biographies: Only Passing Through: The Story of Sojourner Truth and The Prince Who Ran Away: The Story of Gautama Buddha. Ms. Rockwell lives in Old Greenwich, Connecticut.
Cynthia von Buhler resides and paints at Castle von Buhler in Boston. The seeds for her historically influenced style were first planted when she painted climbing vines on the Castle walls. She then went on to paint portraits for magazines, CD covers, and books. Ms. von Buhler recently illustrated a story by Martha Stewart for Steven Spielberg’s anthology Once upon a Fairy Tale, which benefits the Starbright Foundation for seriously ill children.
TEACHING IDEAS
Pre-Reading Activity
Ask students to draw a picture of a Fourth of July celebration. Display the pictures and ask each artist to explain their work. Then engage the class in a discussion about the reasons we celebrate July 4th. Review the time line in the back of the book and help students focus on the events that led to our nation’s freedom. Why is it important for us to continue to celebrate our freedom?
Thematic Connections:
Questions For Group Discussion
Freedom–Discuss the meaning of freedom. What does it mean to be a “free and independent nation”? William Hays felt that England was denying the colonists citizens’ rights. What kind of rights were they being denied? What are some of the citizens’ rights that we enjoy in our nation today?
Leadership–Ask the class to discuss the qualities of a leader. Describe George Washington as a leader. Why did the British call him “that wily old fox”? Contrast Washington’s skills as a leader with Friedrich Wilhelm Augustus von Steuben’s leadership style. The American soldiers almost fell apart at the battle of Monmouth Courthouse under the leadership of General Lee. Discuss how Washington restored leadership when he arrived at the scene.
Bravery–George Washington recognized Molly’s bravery and gave her the rank of sergeant in the Continental Army. Ask students to discuss Molly’s greatest moment of bravery. Which illustration in the book best signifies her bravery?
Fear–Discuss the fears that led the American colonists to war. How is fear related to courage? How did fear almost overtake the American soldiers at Monmouth Courthouse? Discuss how Molly’s courage might have given the American soldiers hope and encouragement.
Heroism–Ask students to discuss the qualities of a hero. Molly Pitcher was a hero to the soldiers at Monmouth Courthouse. Discuss how she might have gotten a different reaction from the women in her hometown of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. There is a monument to Molly at her burial site in Carlisle. What might be a fitting inscription on that monument?
Connecting to the Curriculum
Language Arts–Friedrich Wilhelm Augustus von Steuben claimed that he could turn Washington’s army into a “fine fighting force.” And he could do it without speaking English. Discuss different ways to communicate. Divide the class into small groups and ask them to plan a task to teach to the class without speaking. After each group teaches their task, discuss the various methods of communication used by the groups. Today, the media can turn a person into a hero by the means in which they report the news. Write a news story about Molly Pitcher in a style that it would be reported in today. Discuss how it would be difficult for her to return to a “normal” life in today’s society.
Science–Fifty-six British soldiers died of heatstroke in one day at the Battle of Monmouth Courthouse. Ask students to research the symptoms of heatstroke, and how it can be treated. How were the British unprepared for the heat? Discuss how Washington’s soldiers avoided heatstroke.
Social Studies–There were other important people involved in the colonists’ fight for freedom. Refer students to the Web site www.ushistory.org/valleyforge. Ask them to pick a person like General Henry Knox, Aaron Burr, Jacob Latch, James Monroe, or General Anthony Wayne and prepare a brief oral report of the person’s contribution during the American Revolution.
Drama–Ask your students how they think Molly Pitcher felt when General George Washington named her a sergeant of the Continental Army. Have the class dramatize a ceremony that General George Washington might have conducted to bestow this honor upon her.
Art–Explain to students the connection between story and illustration. What is the significance of the artwork on the end pages and title page? What do the colors symbolize? Send students to the library to find pictures of people during colonial times. Then discuss the accuracy of the illustrations. Students may also enjoy writing a caption for each illustration in the book.
Music–A ballad is a song that tells a story. Often ballads are written about legendary characters. Ask the music teacher or librarians to locate some ballads to share with the students. Then have students write a ballad about Molly Pitcher to a familiar tune.
VOCABULARY
Ask students to find unfamiliar words and try to define them from the context of the story. Such words may include bedraggled, sentries, guerrilla warfare, deserted, massacre, and retreat.
OTHER TITLES OF INTEREST
Other Picture Book Biographies
Joan of Arc
Josephine Poole
Illustrated by Angela Barrett
Grades 3-8 / 0-375-80355-6
Dell Dragonfly
Only Passing Through:
The Story of Sojourner Truth
Anne Rockwell
Illustrated by R. Gregory Christie
Grades 2-5 / 0-679-89186-2
Alfred A. Knopf
The Prince Who Ran Away:
The Story of Gautama Buddha
Anne Rockwell
Illustrated by Fahimeh Amiri
Grades 2-5 / 0-679-89188-9
Alfred A. Knopf
Woody Guthrie:
Poet of the People
Bonnie Christensen
All grades / 0-375-81113-3
Alfred A. Knopf
COPYRIGHT
Prepared by Pat Scales, Director of Library Services, the South Carolina Governors School for Arts and Humanities, Greenville.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
http://www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/kids
http://www.geocities.com/sunsetstrip/vine/9868/mpitcher.html
http://www.state.nj.us/travel/virtual/monmouth/monmouth.html
http://www.pbs.org/ktca/liberty/chronicle/index.html