George Washingtons Socks

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. –This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.