Synopses & Reviews
Young schoolteacher Benjamin Tallmadge--with his trusty horse Highlander--enlist in George Washington's army to partake in the Battle of Long Island during the American Revolution. Tallmadge, spurred by the cry for freedom at Lexington and Concord, sacrifices his career and his dreams to join Washington's army. Tallmadge and Highlander face fiery combat at the Battle of Long Island in August 1775. The young man grapples with the realities of being a soldierthe blasts of cannons, the smell of gunpowder, the relentlessness of the enemy. Will the battered Americans escape from Brooklyn unhurt? Selene Castrovilla has woven Benjamin Tallmadge's own account, along with details from primary-source documents and extensive research, into this thrilling narrative of one of American history's most harrowing moments.
Review
"An excellent introduction to the use of primary-source material to create a plausible historical narrative that also adds a human face." --School Library Journal
Synopsis
Spurred by the cry for freedom and the blood spilled at the battles of Lexington and Concord, young teacher Benjamin Tallmadge sacrifices his career and his dreams to enlist in George Washington's army in Revolutionary America. Young readers who love the Broadway smash "Hamilton" will devour this story of fiery combat during one of American history's most harrowing moments. Follow Benjamin Tallmadge and his beloved horse, Highlander, at the Battle of Long Island. Hear cannons blast, smell gunpowder, watch the enemy barrel forward as Benjamin must fire or die. Witness grisly war and see whether he and the rest of the battered Americans can escape from Brooklyn unscathed. Author Selene Castrovilla weaves Tallmadge's own account with additional details from primary-source documents and extensive research to deliver this action-adventure story with heart, which will have you rooting for Benjamin as he gives his all for his country, and for his horse.
About the Author
Selene Castrovilla is a novelist and nonfiction author. She holds an MFA in creative writing from New School University and a BA in English from New York University. She lives on Long Island with her two sons.Bill is a graduate of the Ringling School of Art and Design. He has created paintings for magazines, advertisements, and children's books as well as commissioned portraits and landscapes. His children's books have received the Young Hoosier Book Award, the NAPRA (Network of Alternatives for Publishers, Retailers, and Artists) Nautilus Award, and the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award. He lives with his family in Venice, Florida.