The Silver Dagger by Allan Dwight

The Silver Dagger by Allan Dwight

First published by Macmillan 1959. My copy is by Acorn Books, paperback, 1963.

Upper elementary/jr high reading level. Historical Fiction.

About the Author:

From the dust jacket – “’Allan Dwight’ is a pen name for the husband-and-wife team of Turney Allan Taylor and Lois Cole Taylor, who have written many exciting adventure stories for young people. Their previous books include Drums in the Forest, The Silver Dagger, Guns at Quebec, and Soldier and Patriot: The Life of General Israel Putnam. Turney Allan Taylor, who recently wrote Morgan’s Long Rifles under his own name, was for twenty years a special writer on the staff of the Sunday edition of the New York Times. Lois Cole Taylor is at present senior editor with Walker & Company, and for many years was an editor with The Macmillan Company and senior editor with William Morrow & Co., Inc. The Taylors are long-time residents of New Jersey.”

I just recently read To the Walls of Cartagena, also by this husband-wife team. Excellent historical fiction.  And I have Guns at Quebec and Morgan’s Long Rifles, found at a used bookstore this summer, that I haven’t read yet but plan to soon.  If you enjoy historical fiction, or your sons do, I recommend this author.

The Story:

From the book cover – “Young Mark Woodbridge opened the door of his Connecticut farmhouse one wet spring evening in 1762 to a cloaked and sinister stranger who called himself Galvez – and thus began the adventure that was to change the whole course of his life. The appearance of Galvez triggered the discovery that Mark had inherited a hoard of treasure, buried somewhere in Cuba. To get there, Mark enlists with the Colonials, and together with his friend Simon he sails to that faraway island – right into the middle of dangerous intrigue. During the long siege of Morro Castle, and with the agents of the evil Galvez on his trail, Mark seeks for the hidden chest of jewels. Trapped and imprisoned, he escapes to find the treasure at last, and in finding it discovers something even more important.”

This story line is fast-moving, full of adventure and danger, and ends in a satisfying way. Mark matures as the story goes along, so that he begins to think before he acts, learns to value true friendships, and sees beyond riches to do what is right. The characters of the story are well-defined, both protagonist and antagonist. One can almost feel the oppressive heat of Cuba and sympathize with the desire for the New England home. Similar to the main character of the Henty novels, Mark gets into one scrape after another, yet always comes out on top. Still, if you have a son of upper elementary or junior high age, this adventure story may appeal to him.  The writing is similar in length, level and style to William O. Steele, Leonard Wibberley, and Stephen Meader, all great writers for boys.

Recommended additional books/resources to aid your studies:

Connecticut by Bernadine Bailey

Pirate Chase by Earl Schenck Miers

The Black Buccaneer by Stephen Meader

Unwilling Pirate by West Lathrop

Pirate – DK Eyewitness book

Indians of the Longhouse, the Story of the Iroquois by Sonia Bleeker

Cuba by Clifford Crouch

Cuba by Karen Jacobsen, A New True Book

Soldier and Patriot: Israel Putnam by Allan Dwight – he is briefly mentioned in the story

Israel Putnam: Fearless Boy by Augusta Stevenson, Childhood of Famous Americans

Today in Old New York City by Elva Jean Hall

New York by Susan & John Lee

A Day in the Life of a Colonial Soldier by J.L. Branse

Boys and Girls of Colonial Days by Carolyn Bailey

If You Lived in Colonial Times by Ann McGovern

Everyday Life in Colonial America by Louis Wright

Colonial Living by Edwin Tunis

Colonial American Troops, 1610-1774 by Rene Chartrand, Men-at-Arms series

Wooden Ship-Building by Charles Desmond

Once Upon a Time: The Way America Was by Eric Sloane

Other historical fiction of this time period:

The Young Voyageur by Kirk Gringhius

Time of the Tomahawk by Robert Edmond Alter

The Great Pine’s Son, A Story of the Pontiac War by Margaret Widdemer

A Spy in Old Detroit by Anne Emery

River of Danger, a Story of Samuel Kirkland by Denice Williamson, a missionary story in upstate NY

(Book review by Sandy Hall. All rights reserved. July 30, 2017) 

The Frightened Hero by Jean Lee Latham

The Frightened Hero by Jane Lee Latham. Illustrated by Barbara Latham.

Published by Chilton Books, c. 1965, 97 pages. Middle elementary reading level.

About the Author – Jean Lee Latham (1902-1995)

From the dust jacket:

 “Jean Lee Latham was born in Buckhannon, West Virginia, and was graduated from West Virginia Wesleyan College. She later took a degree in drama at Ithaca College, received her M.S. from Cornell University, and an Litt. D. from West Virginia Wesleyan College. She was editor-in-chief of a play-publishing company and wrote stage and radio plays at night and over week-ends. During World War II she was Civilian in Charge of Training Signal Corps Inspectors, wrote the course for the advanced training of women inspectors, and received the War Department Silver Wreath for her work. Since 1952 she has been writing books, many with historical backgrounds. In 1956 she won the Newbery Medal for Carry On, Mr. Bowditch. Some of her other books are The Story of Eli Whitney; On Stage, Mr. Jefferson!; Drake: The Man They Called a Pirate; Young Man in a Hurry and Retreat to Glory: The Story of Sam Houston.”

Most of her children’s books are biographical or historical fiction. Here are some titles I own:

The Story of Eli Whitney
Medals for Morse: Artist and Inventor
Carry On, Mr. Bowditch
Trail Blazer of the Seas
This Dear-Bought Land
Young Man in a Hurry: The Story of Cyrus W. Field
On Stage, Mr. Jefferson
Drake, The Man They Called a Pirate
Samuel F. B. Morse: Artist-Inventor

Man of the Monitor: The Story of John Ericsson
Eli Whitney: Great Inventor
Sam Houston: Hero of Texas
Retreat to Glory: The Story of Sam Houston
George W. Goethals: Panama Canal Engineer
The Frightened Hero: A Story of the Seige of Latham House
David Glasgow Farragut: Our First Admiral
Anchor's Aweigh: The Story of David Glasgow Farragut
Far Voyager: The Story of James Cook
Rachel Carson: Who Loved the Sea
Elizabeth Blackwell: Pioneer Woman Doctor

She also wrote these two nonfiction:

The Columbia: Powerhouse of North America (Rivers of the World Series pub. by Garrard)

The Chagres: Power of the Panama Canal (Rivers of the World series pub. by Garrard)

Barbara Latham, the illustrator of The Frightened Hero, was born in 1896 and died in 1989. She was raised in a farmhouse in Connecticut. Her family were naturalists and her father gave her an apiary of her own. He is the one who developed honey butter, a whipped honey. Have you had it? It’s delicious! Especially on toast or scones. Her family spent summers on Cape Cod. She received art training at Norwich Free Academy, the Pratt Institute, and the Art Students League of New York and others. Collections of her work is held in many prestigious art museums in the country. Barbara spent many weeks in England, going through papers of the period and tracing the ancient foundations of Latham House to insure authenticity.

The Frightened Hero is a historical fiction story of a boy in England in 1642. This would be a nice read-aloud for elementary children when studying this time period.

From the dust jacket:

“This is the story of the siege of Latham House, one of the great castles of England, during the time of the Roundheads and the Cavaliers. Billy, the second son of Lord and Lady Derby, was left at home in Latham House as the man of the house when Lord Derby and his eldest son rode off to fight the Roundheads. When Latham House is surrounded by the forces of Lord Fairfax and an ultimatum is delivered to Lady Derby that she must surrender Latham House, along with all its soldiers, arms and ammunition, she vows she will not capitulate. Billy, although frightened, hopes he can help defend his ancestral home against the Cromwellian troops. His friend, Rolfe, a dedicated liege of Lady Derby, is suspected by the other soldiers of the castle as being a traitor, but Billy has faith in his friend and stands by him. When Rolfe is wounded it is Billy who saves his life. Billy, who confesses he was scared during the siege and the battle, finds that it is not impossible to be frightened and be a hero at the same time as Prince Rupert tells him when Latham House is saved.”

Researching online, I find that they really was a Latham House which was twice besieged during the English Civil War. This book tells of one of those sieges. The history of this castle traces back to before 1066! The west wing of the castle still stands today.

Recently I reviewed Children of the New Forest by Marryat. That story also takes place during the English Civil War. This book, The Frightened Hero, would be a good one for your younger students to read. The plot is much more simplistic, and the character is younger. The story is told from the perspective of a young boy, Billy, who learns an important lesson that courage doesn’t mean you are not scared, but that even the bravest hero, while frightened, does the right thing.  

I just recently purchased another book of historical fiction of this time period and will also do a review of it. A Messenger for Parliament by Erik Christian Haugaard, this author quickly becoming one of my favorites.

Recommended additional books/resources to aid your studies:

Since this book is about the same time period as Children of the New Forest, I will repeat those suggested books here. And add a few others.

Cromwell’s Boy by Erik Christian Haugaard

A Messenger for Parliament by Erik Christian Haugaard

Friends though Divided: A Tale of the Civil War by G.A. Henty

Two Jackdaw collections: The English Civil War 1642-1649 (#33) and Cromwell’s Commonwealth and Protectorate (#27)

              If you have never seen these Jackdaw collections, you might not realize what a wonderful resource they are of primary sources to aid your studies. They are pamphlets published over the years in England on many historical events and people, many about English history but some also on American and Canada. The packet contains a short document of the history of the event or person, and a list of the document facsimiles included in the packet. I highly recommend them – a little hard to find – but well worth the effort.

Kate Rider by Hester Burton

Death to the King: The Story of the English Civil War by Clifford Alderman

Puritan Revolution by C. Walter Hodges

Escape of Charles II After the Battle of Worcester by Richard Ollard

For the King by Ronald Welch

With the King at Oxford by Alfred J. Church

Island Story: A History of England for Boys and Girls by H.E. Marshall

The Flight and Adventures of Charles II by Charles Norman, a World Landmark book

I think I have a few more on my shelves but am not home at the moment to double check. I’ll try to add to this later. I know have some on the history of England for children to add to this list. Most of the above titles are for older students.

Also during your studies of this time period of the 1640s, you could add these topics: Scottish Covenanters – The Crown and Covenant series by Douglas Bond

 John Bunyan and Pilgrim’s Progress,

Princess Ann,

the Treaty of Paris,

and other people such as Blaise Pascal, Galileo, and John Locke.
In America at this time period, Of Plymouth Plantation was being written by William Bradford.

And since the book takes place in Latham House, a castle, I would add:

Castle by David Macaulay

Castle Book by Alfred Duggan

Cross-Sections: Castle by Richard Platt

Let’s Look at Castles by Allan Warwick

Long Ago in a Castle by Marie Farre

(Book review by Sandy Hall. All rights reserved. July 23, 2017)

The Coming of the Pilgrims by Smith and Meredith

The Coming of the Pilgrims, Told from Governor Bradford’s Firsthand Account by E. Brooks Smith and Robert Meredith, illustrated by Leonard Everett Fisher

Published by Little, Brown and Company. C. 1964. Prepared in cooperation with and approved by Plimoth Plantation.

I was delighted to find this book recently at a used book store. First of all it’s illustrated by one of my very favorite illustrators of children’s books – Leonard Everett Fisher. There are many books about the Pilgrims that I already own and love, but this one was new to me.

If you have not read Governor Bradford’s book Of Plymouth Plantation, you might want to after seeing this book. Authors Smith and Meredith have simplified information from Bradford’s book and adapted it for younger children. The text is nicely illustrated by Leonard Everett Fisher.

William Bradford was an English Separatist from Yorkshire who emigrated to Leiden, Holland, and then to America with the Pilgrims in 1620. He became Plymouth’s governor after the death of Carver, from 1621 to 1632. His most well-known literary work was Of Plymouth Plantation which describes the colony’s settlement, struggles, and achievements from 1620 to 1646. This is a very extensive, detailed account and will be over the head of most students under high school age. The Coming of the Pilgrims is a nice introduction to the story of the Plymouth Colony, especially to be enjoyed by younger students.

Smith and Meredith also wrote Pilgrim Courage, which is an additional adaptation of Bradford’s work at a little higher reading level than The Coming of the Pilgrims.

Leonard Everett Fisher, the illustrator, was born in 1924, and is still alive. Since 1955 he has illustrated 250 books, 88 of which he also wrote himself.  He was also commissioned to design 10 US postage stamps, including some for the Bicentennial. His characteristic style of black and gray line drawings, along with textured acrylic paintings, appeal to children. He has illustrated many kinds of books for children including biographies of such historic figures as Gutenberg and Galileo, American history especially of colonial craftsmen, mythological stories such as Theseus and Cyclops, and geography sites like the Great Wall of China. Whenever you find his books at book sales and thrift shops, snatch them up. You will not be disappointed.

Recommended additional books/resources to aid your studies:

Massachusetts by Bernadine Bailey

Miles Standish, Adventurous Boy by Augusta Stevenson, Childhood of Famous Americans book

How the Pilgrims Came to Plymouth by Olga Hall-Quest

If You Sailed on the Mayflower by Ann McGovern

The Landing of the Pilgrims by James Daugherty, Landmark book

Mayflower Secret by Dave and Neta Jackson, Trailblazer book

Mourt’s Relation, a Journal of the Pilgrims at Plymouth by Dwight Heath

N.C. Wyeth’s Pilgrims by San Souci

On the Mayflower by Kate Waters

Pilgrim Neighbors by Elvajean Hall

Pilgrim Stories by Margaret Pumphrey

The Pilgrims and the Plymouth Colony by Feenie Ziner

The Pilgrims’ First Thanksgiving by Ann McGovern

The Pilgrims Knew by Tillie Pine

Rebel Pilgrim: Governor William Bradford by Wilma Pitchford Hays

Puritan Adventure by Lois Lenski

Samuel Eaton’s Day: Pilgrim Boy by Kate Waters

Sarah Morton’s Day: Pilgrim Girl by Kate Waters

Log of the Mayflower by Philip Simon

The Story of the Mayflower Compact by Norman Richards, Cornerstones of Freedom

Three Visitors to Plymouth by James W. Baker, ed.

Three Young Pilgrims by Cheryl Harness

We Were There with the Mayflower Pilgrims by Robert N. Webb

Who’s That Stepping on Plymouth Rock by Jean Fritz

William Bradford, Pilgrim Boy by Bradford Smith, Childhood of Famous Americans

Christopher Jones, Captain of the Mayflower by Etta DeGering

First Adventure, John Billington by Elizabeth Coatsworth

John Billington, Friend of Squanto by Clyde Robert Bulla

Boy on the Mayflower by Iris Vinton

Last Voyages of the Mayflower by Kenneth Allsop

The Years Before the Mayflower: The Pilgrims in Holland by Anne Molloy

The Mayflower Destiny by Cyril Marshall

Children of the Mayflower by Mildred Comfort

1620: Year of the Pilgrims by Genevieve Foster

Across the Wide, Dark Sea: The Mayflower Journey by Jean Van Leeuwen

Little Pioneers by Maude Warren

Pilgrim Thanksgiving  by Leonard Weisgard

Thunder from the Clear Sky by Marcia Sewell

Christmas on the Mayflower by Wilma Pitchford Hays

The First Year by Enid LaMonte Meadowcroft

The Legend of Squanto by Focus on the Family, audio radio theater, excellent!

Squanto and the Pilgrims by A.M. Anderson, American Adventure series, highly collectible!

Squanto: Indian Adventurer by Stewart Graff, American Indian series by Garrard

Squanto, Friend of the Pilgrims by Clyde Robert Bulla

Massasoit, Friend of the Pilgrims by Virginia Voight, American Indian series by Garrard

Tapernum’s Day: A Wampanoag Indian Boy in Pilgrim Times by Kate Waters

Five Kidnapped Indians by Anne Molloy

The Wampanoags by Kevin Cunningham, True Book series 

As you can see, I could go on and on with wonderful books by authors renowned for their children’s books from the Golden Era of Children’s Literature!

Review and book list compiled by Sandy Hall. All rights reserved. July 22, 2017

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)

Hand of the King - Book Review

Book review:
Hand of the King by Barbara E. Morgan, illustrated by Howard Simon

Published 1963 by Random House. 176 pages. Upper elementary through jr high level reading.

The author, Barbara E. Morgan, was a teacher and also served with the British Army in WW II. Her college degree from University of Manchester was in the history and archaeology of Southwestern Asia, Mari specifically. I can’t find any more info on her except this that was included on the dust jacket.

Here is the summary of the book from the dust jacket:

“Twelve-year-old Zak is tending his father’s sheep when two young men, badly wounded, come on the scene. Having escaped from the court of the hated Assyrian king, they hope to deliver a message to the prince of Mari, who is in hiding. If delivered in time, the message could touch off the long-planned revolt against the tyrant’s rule. Enlisting the aid of his friend La’um, Zak becomes deeply involved in the plot to restore the prince of Mari to his throne. Here are adventures and suspense in an authentic setting. For the Assyrian tyrant and the prince of Mari actually lived – 3700 years ago. Through the discoveries of archaeology, much is known about their palaces, their daily life, and even their correspondence. In Hand of the King, Barbara e. Morgan, a trained historian as well as a skilled storyteller, has re-created a thrilling episode from the ancient world.”

And here is the author’s note at the beginning of the book:

“The action of this story takes place in about the year 1750 B.C., roughly the time of Abraham. The story’s background, the site of the town of Mari, on the Middle Euphrates, was located in the 1930s and has been excavated by the French over a period of years. An enormous number of inscribed tablets was found in the palace, including the royal letter that has a place in the plot. All the royal characters mentioned existed. The short period of Assyrian rule in Mari apparently came to an abrupt end, but how Zimrilim, a prince of Mari, regained the throne or where he was during the previous twenty years is not known. This is the mystery which provided the idea for the main theme of the story. Zimrilim proved to be the last king of Mari. After a reign of between twenty and thirty years, the town was completely destroyed by the Babylonians under their great king, Hammurabi. Hence perhaps the richness of the excavated finds dating from the town’s last years. As far as possible, all the details of daily life given in the story are accurate. Little has been mentioned for which there is not direct evidence from Mari itself or which may not reasonably be inferred or vouched for by evidence from kindred sites.”

Mari is in ancient Mesopotamia, between Aleppo and Babylon on the Euphrates River, and the story takes place in the 18th century B.C. I seldom find children’s literature about this time period or about the Fertile Crescent so this one grabbed my interest.

You can read more about the king Zimrilim here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zimri-Lim

And about the town of Mari in what is now Syria here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mari,_Syria.

Excavations were made in the area beginning in the 1930s. Mari was known as the far-western outpost of the Sumerian civilization. Many of the archaeological finds are housed in the Louvre in France, in Aleppo and in Damascus. Excavations continued even to as recent as 10 years ago. Now, however, the area of Mari is occupied by armed gangs following the Syrian Civil War and much of the area has been looted.

The book does describe the character’s belief in the gods and mentions Ishtar, the goddess of love, beauty, sex, desire, fertility, war, combat, and political power. Ishtar is mentioned in the Scriptures and also plays a role in the Gilgamesh epic. In this book by Morgan, none of Ishtar’s immoral behavior is mentioned. The main character prays to her for protection as he tries to outwit the forces of evil he is battling in the story line.

I highly recommend this book for your studies of ancient world history. The plot moves quickly from event to event, with just enough suspense and surprise twists to keep a young person reading and enjoying. The book tells enough details of daily life to help the reader learn about that era.

Other books to read for follow-up studies:

They Lived Like This in Ancient Mesopotamia by Marie Neurath

Mesopotamia, Calliope magazine from 2000

The Gilgamesh Trilogy by Ludmilla Zeman

Ishtar and Tammuz, A Babylonian Myth of the Seasons by Christopher Moore

The Tigris & Euphrates Rivers by Melissa Whitcraft

Buildings of Ancient Mesopotamia by Helen and Richard Leacroft, Ancient Architecture Series

The Sumerians: Inventors and Builders by Elizabeth Landing, Early Culture Series (this civilization was to the south of Mari but same time period)

Song of Abraham by Ellen Gunderson Traylor (same time period as this book)

Review and book list compiled by Sandy Hall. All rights reserved.

Old Number Four - book review

Old Number Four by George I. Putnam

Illustrated by R. Alden Burt. Published by Equity Publishing Corporation, Orford, NH, c. 1965.  164 pages. Upper elementary/junior high reading level. Historical fiction.

In my now-favorite book story in Niantic, CT, I came across this book. It was signed by the wife of the author and was priced a little higher than I usually go, but I had never seen the title and since historical fiction is my very favorite genre, I decided to get it. So glad I did.

The author, George I. Putnam, “was born on the 24^th day of April 1860 in the town of Napanoch, New York. After spending his early years in Charlestown, New Hampshire, he embarked upon a colorful and adventurous life. He graduated from West Point with the Class of 1885 but resigned from military service in 1889. He wrote two books, “In Blue Uniform” and “On the Offensive”, before taking a job as reporter for the Denver Times, and later, the New York Times.  For eleven years, 1895-1906, he owned, edited and published the weekly, Claremont Advocate. After selling this enterprise in 1906 he married Miss Isabella Grieve O’Neil of Claremont and moved to Charlestown where they resided until 1923. During World War I he formed and trained a company of State Guards and after the war was over, became editor of the Claremont Daily Eagle for several years. The remainder of his seventy seven years was spent in San Diego, California.” (author information from the dust jacket). Don’t confuse him with George P. Putnam, the widower of Amelia Earhart, a generation later. Perhaps they were related though??

“The outstanding illustrations for this book were done with imagination, skill and great ability by R. Alden Burt, a northern New England artist, known for his fine pen and ink technique.” (artist information from the dust jacket).

Amazon’s review of the plot:

“A bulwark on the frontier of American civilization during the French and Indian War-more than just a fortress to the pioneers of its day-home to many-loved by all-attacked by her enemies-defended by her stalwart inhabitants-the memory of Old Number Four is not among the missing when history calls its roll. Proud, and justly so, she stood to the fore in America's early march toward destiny. In the early 1700's life on the frontier was not easy. King George's War, 1744-1748, and the French and Indian War, 1754-1763, both left indelible marks on the pioneers of that period. Too, it is impossible to erase the enviable record of an old wooden fort located on the eastern shore of the Connecticut River where Charlestown, New Hampshire, now stands. Old Number Four was one of the last strongholds against a savage wilderness inhabited by shadowy Indians and ruthless French. Numerous pen and ink illustrations excite the imagination and provide a delightful sense of sharing in an era of inland conflict, exploration and settlement.”

If reading this book with your family, I encourage you to get your maps out to help understand the significance of this distant outpost of the northern New England frontier of the times. Also, help your readers understand the bigger picture of what was going on in Europe, especially between England and France, and of the War of the Austrian Succession, and how these events eventually influenced the American frontier of the Connecticut River valley.  The author also documents at the bottom of some of the pages his sources for the historical information presented, including some primary source records of letters and town records. These would be fun to find and take a look at as well.

The main characters with whom young people will identify are James and Little Susannah. These two young people come to Old Number Four under very different circumstances. They meet and eventually fall in love and marry following the book’s end. Their relationship over the two years of the book’s plot is pure and sweet, and fired by their growing understanding of the courage and character of each other.

I was impressed with the characterization that Putnam presents. He has a wonderful way of describing and developing the characteristics of each major person in the plot. From the foolish traitorous Jasper Dyke, to the loyal dog Traynor, to the two men in charge of the fort Captain Stevens and Colonel Stoddard, the author paints a distinct picture in the reader’s mind of these and their strengths and weaknesses. Here is a quote of his description of Captain Stevens, “…rose with the dignity of the born commander and assumed control. He was a four-square man; a yes-and-no man; post-true; short, compact, very ruddy, with a keen blue eye as clear as ice. He said little, running to deeds rather than words; yet he could speak, and speak well, when occasion called. His was the spirit of calm dominance. The respectful attention and obedience of men was his birthright. Few would run counter to him by thought, word or deed.” Many of the characters Putnam presents are real-life people of the age and events. That, along with his thorough knowledge of the times, make the book’s story believable.

I highly recommend this book for your American history studies of this time period: 1744-1763. If you do read it, please let me know what you think and if your family enjoyed it.

Recommended additional books to aid your studies:

The Young Gun-Bearer by Browne. King George’s War and the Siege of Louisburg.

Colonial Living by Edwin Tunis

Colonial Craftsmen by Edwin Tunis

Mill by David Macaulay. Since the newly-built mill at Old Number Four plays an important part in the story. This book seems to cover the 1800s more but still it might be helpful for younger readers to see what a mill actually looks like and how helpful and important it was to frontier families.

Courage to Command: A Story of the Capture of Louisbourg by MacDonald. Winston Adventure series.

Fantastic Breeds: Americans in King George’s War by Phillips.

Northern Lights by Rawlyk. I have not read this but it comes recommended by someone I highly respect.

The Story of the French and Indian War by Reeder

Master of the Peaks by Altsheler

Rogers’ Rangers and the French and Indian War by Bradford Smith, a Landmark book.

River of the Wolves by Stephen Meader

Master Entrick: An Adventure 1754-1756 by Michael Mott

The French and Indian Wars by Russell, American Heritage Junior Library

The Matchlock Gun by Walter D. Edmonds, Newbery Medal book

The Gold-Laced Coat, a Story of Old Niagara by Helen Fuller Orton

In Enemy Hands, a Story of the French and Indian War by Natalia Belting

Forts in the Wilderness by Edith McCall

New Hampshire by Bernadine Bailey

Massachusetts by Bernadine Bailey

The Colony of New Hampshire by Lengyel. A First Book.

The Colony of Massachusetts by Dickinson. A First Book.

The American Indian Story by May McNeer

Indian Summer by Monjo, An I Can Read book

Pathfinder, Leatherstocking Tale of the French & Indian War by Cooper

Calico Captive by Elizabeth George Speare

and this youtube video about the historic site: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_a0V3V0OgtQ

And perhaps do some research about Captain Phineas Stevens and Colonel Sampson Stoddard. Very interesting and influential men of their time. Also the French officer that led the campaign against Old Number Four, Joseph Boucher de Niverville and whose career was the longest of any Canadian officer in the 1700s. http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/boucher_de_niverville_joseph_5E.html

(Book review by Sandy Hall. All rights reserved. July 18, 2017)

The Children of the New Forest by Frederick Marryat

Children of the New Forest by Frederick Marryat

First published in 1847. This book has been reprinted by Yesterday’s Classics and is also available on Kindle, at Project Gutenberg, and Librivox. Some claim it to have been the first historical fiction book for children/young people, and it has endured. The book has also been made into a series for television four times by the BBC.

Frederick Marryat, born in 1792 and died in 1848, was a British naval officer, and gained promotions for his bravery for the British in the War of 1812. He was also a novelist and an acquaintance of Charles Dickens. Marryat wrote an autobiographical novel in 1836 entitled Mr. Midshipman Easy which was admired by Mark Twain and others, and was said to be the prototype for many other authors who wrote naval stories such as Forester. For his own children he wrote Children of the New Forest.

The book begins in England in 1647 when King Charles I was defeated in the Civil War and fled into the New Forest region, on the south shore of England, near Southampton, about 100 miles SW of London.  Soldiers are sent to find him and decide to burn Arnwood, the home of a Charles sympathizer. Four children of Arnwood are rescued from this disaster and taken to live in the New Forest with a man who had been a worker on the estate. Most thought these orphaned children had died in the flames. Under their caretaker, these children of nobility learn self-sufficiency in the forest and on his farm. The rest of the story tells of their growing up there, eventual involvement in the political affairs of the times, and how they gained back their estate.

I found most interesting the descriptions of all that they learned of the forest and farm, how to raise animals and crops. Their growing wisdom and confidence, their in-bred training of grace and courage, and their plans to do right no matter the cost are very inspiring. The book moves along slowly with sudden spurts of action and adventure. There is bloodshed at the cost of self-defense. And there is romance, but all done properly, according to the customs of the times.

The writer’s knowledge of the political chaos of the times is well-evident and clearly explained. This provides a good value to the book for any studies of this time period. Interestingly, the main characters, the four children, are against the Cromwell side of the Civil War, which is different from most of the books of this time period that I have read. In that sense, it does provide a good balanced view.

The independent reading level of this book is upper elementary through jr high. Because the plot moves so slowly most of the time though, I would expect older students to enjoy it better. The book could also be read aloud and enjoyed as a family. There are many exemplary lessons of character and the defense of right to be discussed, as well as the political events surrounding the story line.

Recommended additional books to aid your studies:

Cromwell’s Boy by Erik Christian Haugaard

A Messenger for Parliament by Erik Christian Haugaard

Friends though Divided: A Tale of the Civil War by G.A. Henty

Two Jackdaw collections: The English Civil War 1642-1649 (#33) and Cromwell’s Commonwealth and Protectorate (#27)

              If you have never seen these Jackdaw collections, you might not realize what a wonderful resource they are of primary sources to aid your studies. They are pamphlets published over the years in England on many historical events and people, many about English history but some also on American and Canada. The packet contains a short document of the history of the event or person, and a list of the document facsimiles included in the packet. I highly recommend them – a little hard to find – but well worth the effort.

Kate Rider by Hester Burton

Death to the King: The Story of the English Civil War by Clifford Alderman

Puritan Revolution by C. Walter Hodges

Escape of Charles II After the Battle of Worcester by Richard Ollard

For the King by Ronald Welch

With the King at Oxford by Alfred J. Church

Island Story: A History of England for Boys and Girls by H.E. Marshall

The Flight and Adventures of Charles II by Charles Norman, a World Landmark book

I think I have a few more on my shelves but am not home at the moment to double check. I’ll try to add to this later. I know have some on the history of England for children to add to this list. Most of the above titles are for older students.

Also during your studies of this time period of the 1640s, you could add these topics: Scottish Covenanters – The Crown and Covenant series by Douglas Bond

 John Bunyan and Pilgrim’s Progress,

Princess Ann,

the Treaty of Paris,

and other people such as Blaise Pascal, Galileo, and John Locke. In America at this time period, Of Plymouth Plantation was being written by William Bradford.

(Book review by Sandy Hall. All rights reserved. July 14, 2017)