ISBN 0064441067 - For the writing itself, I might have given this book 3 or 4 stars, but the content earns it a five. Reading Level 3, for ages 7-9 (grades 2-4).

George is a drummer with the King's Soldiers in Boston in 1776. The people of Boston don't like the soldiers, so they don't like George, which makes him unhappy. He'd like to be friends, but as a part of the army, his job is to follow orders. One night, his orders are to get up and get dressed. Along with his friend Fred, George does as he's told and the pair join the soldiers to cross the Charles River. The plan is to go to into Concord and Lexington to capture all the cannon and powder they find. George and Fred are there as the first shots of the American Revolution are fired.

The history we teach in schools in the U.S. doesn't often allow for another point of view. The old adage that "History is written by the victors" is sadly true, so much so that our children grow up without ever thinking that the people we fought in 1776 were actually people. This book is a very tiny step toward shedding a little light on that reality, and is well worth reading. Benchley does a very nice job of writing the short tale without judgment. The illustrations by Don Bolognese are well done, as well. Fans of the PBS show Liberty's Kids will find this book fits right in with their interest and others might discover that it opens their minds a little to curiosity about the other side of any story.

- AnnaLovesBooks

Great history for elementary kids

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