The Mystery of the Stalwart - Book Review

The Mystery of the Stalwart by Elbert M. Hoppenstedt

Published by Franklin Watts, c. 1965. Illustrations by Claudine Nankivel

Written at a middle elementary reading level.

Do you remember putting together intricate puzzles? We would work to get the framing pieces all put together, set up the box cover nearby, begin to sort pieces by color/design, and then finishing putting that puzzle together no matter how long it took! Oh, the delight we felt when we found two odd pieces that snapped together. Yay!

Well, this book gave me that same feeling. Recently, I traveled from Rhode Island to upstate New York. On the way, I needed to make a stop in the little town of Haddam, CT, to see the lady at the historical society. I had a book that belonged to a Spencer in the 1800s and wanted to see if she wanted it for the museum.  My ancestor, Gerard Spencer, helped to settle that town in the 1650s. Lots of wonderful stories I could tell. After seeing the historian, I went to the Brainerd Memorial Library nearby to check out their books for sale in the basement. $.25 each! I bought 100 delightful children’s books and continued on my way to NY. My trip later continued on to the southeast shore of New Jersey to be with my daughter at the birth of her first child. While I’m here, I’ve been reading some of the books picked up on my journeys. The Mystery of the Stalwart was one of the books I purchased that day in Haddam. This book takes place right here in NJ where I am now! So a book I bought in my ancestor’s home town is about the town my kids live in now. Such a fun coincidence. Just like two pieces of a puzzle snapping together!

Elbert M. Hoppenstedt, the author of this children’s book, was born in 1917 and died at the age of 96 in 2013. He spent most of his life in New Jersey until retiring to Florida where he was at the time of his death. From his obituary, this information is given:  “Elbert served his country in World War II as an Air Force Bombardier for the Fifteenth Squadron stationed in Italy. At home, he was a dedicated teacher, principal and superintendent for the Shore Regional School District. Throughout his life, he was an artist, an established author, and talented wood worker”.

His books include:

Sunken Timbers

The Mystery of the Deserted Village

Tillicum

Aerial Gunners of World War II

A House Divided

Secret of Stygian River

Mystery at Ten Fathoms

President Harrison’s Horse Race

And several books for teachers.

The Mystery of the Stalwart is the only one I have from this author, but I will definitely watch for more.

From the dust jacket:

“The Pine Barrens of New Jersey are only an hour’s drive from Philadelphia and a little more from New York City. Yet the people who live in this region are largely isolated – often without telephones and electricity – and superstitious. Jesse Shadow and his family are Pineys, and this very fact produces great conflict in the young boy. Jesse’s father wants his son to remain at home to aid his failing boatbuilding business. Jesse burns with an ambition to become a botanist. Jesse’s only hope of pursuing his career seems to rest in the Stalwart, a Revolutionary War boat built by his ancestors. If it is true that the Stalwart treasure is hidden somewhere on the Shadow property – as Jesse’s father believes – then perhaps both Jesse and his father can realize their dreams. An intriguing mystery set against an authentic background, The Mystery of the Stalwart is the story of one boy’s struggle between his environment and his dreams.”

The plot builds well throughout, with an exciting climax and satisfying ending. The characters are believable. Jesse struggles with the tension between his dreams and his obedience to his domineering, unreasonable father. At one point in the story, his father strikes him in anger, which obviously a father should not do. However, the next morning, his father humbly apologizes and Jesse accepts the apology. They work out an agreement for their futures and the story progresses.

The inclusion of salt marsh botany makes this story very interesting. If you had a student interested in that field of study, this story would definitely be enjoyed by him/her.

The sub-plot running through this book is about the Revolutionary War, when the British Raid on Chestnut Neck took place. During the war, boat-owners from the area of the Great Bay on the south shore of New Jersey, about ten miles north of Atlantic City, captured many British supply ships and then loaded up the contents and got them to Washington's army at Valley Forge. The British held New York City and Philadelphia at this time in 1778, so the supplies for General Washington’s army were cut off in this area. The gains from the privateering by American citizens helped the Continental army with badly-needed supplies. The Raid at Chestnut Neck by the British proved fruitless because of prior warning to the privateers of the area. That event plays into the story of this book, so even though the book takes place in the mid-1900s, the reader learns about the history of this remote area and its significance in the War of Independence.

Recommended additional books/resources to aid your studies:

Codes, Ciphers and Secret Writing by Martin Gardner, a Dover publication

Codes and Cypher Puzzles – Usborne

Ship by David Macaulay

The Story Book of Ships by Maud and MIska Petersham

The First Book of Ships by Jeanne Bendick

Ships and Life Afloat by Walter Buehr

American Revolution by Alden Carter

The First Book of the American Revolution by Richard B. Morris

The Story of Valley Forge by R. Conrad Stein, a Cornerstones of Freedom book

The American Revolution by Bruce Bliven Jr, a Landmark book

The Winter at Valley Forge by Van Wyck Mason, a Landmark book

Flora Americae Septentrionalis, Or, a Systematic Arrangement and Description of the Plants of North America: Containing, Besides What Have Been ... During Twelve Years Travels and Residence by Frederick Pursh (This botanist is mentioned in the story)

 

A Field Guide to the Pine Barrens of New Jersey: Its Flora, Fauna, Ecology and Historical Sites by Howard P. Boyd

 

Aquatic Vegetation of New Jersey by David E. Fairbrothers

 

A Day in the Salt Marsh by Kevin Kurtz

 

Wetlands by Darlene Stille

 

Following the Coast by Jim Arnosky

 

New Jersey by Bernadine Bailey

 

G is for Garden State by Eileen Cameron

 

The Pine Barrens of New Jersey by Karen F. Riley, Images of America series

 

Pirates and Patriots of the Revolution by C. Keith Wilbur, Illustrated Living History Series

 

Privateers of the Revolution: War on the New Jersey Coast 1775-1783 by Shomette. This is an adult book I have not read.

 

(Book review by Sandy Hall. All rights reserved. July 21, 2017)