The Crossing: How George Washington Saved the American Revolution

By: Jim Murphy

ISBN: 9780439691864

JLG Release: Feb 2011

Sensitive Areas: No sensitive areas

Topics: George Washington (1732-1799) , Military leadership , William Howe (1729-1814) , United States , Continental Army , Battle of Trenton, NJ, 1776 , Delaware River Valley , American Revolution (1775-1783)

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Awards & Honors

Booklist Lasting Connections of 2010, Social Studies

Praise & Reviews

Starred or favorable reviews have been received from these periodicals:

Booklist*, The Horn Book Magazine, Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal*

School Library Journal

Murphy lays out the stakes in this well-known story immediately: the fate of the revolution and the country itself rested with the man chosen to lead the Continental Army. He centers the story on Washington, arguing that the early battles in and around New York and New Jersey transformed him from an inexperienced if well-respected military leader i Murphy lays out the stakes in this well-known story immediately: the fate of the revolution and the country itself rested with the man chosen to lead the Continental Army. He centers the story on Washington, arguing that the early battles in and around New York and New Jersey transformed him from an inexperienced if well-respected military leader into a formidable commander and strategist. Whereas purely chronological histories drag readers’ attention from one theater of war to another, Murphy concentrates on the troops directly under Washington’s command in the events leading up to the battles of Trenton and Princeton, so that each step or misstep is as riveting as if readers were following at the heels of “the old fox.” When the tide turns in the Patriots’ favor, it is with a sense of relief rather than as a fait accompli. Illustrations include reproductions of portraits and several good, clear maps showing battlefields and troop movements. An especially effective spread of Washington Crossing the Delaware is followed by an analysis of the artist’s theme of America’s diverse people fighting for freedom against all odds. The time line and index are thorough, and the list of websites is comprehensive. Notes and sources, instead of listed chapter by chapter, are listed “in order of importance.” A first purchase, even if your American Revolution shelves are packed.

Horn Book

When George Washington became commander in chief of the Continental Army, he knew that, despite earlier victories, the men were undisciplined and unprepared for war. In the first half of his latest book, Murphy reiterates this observation, describing 1776’s multiple military disasters in New York and noting the colonists’ loss of confid When George Washington became commander in chief of the Continental Army, he knew that, despite earlier victories, the men were undisciplined and unprepared for war. In the first half of his latest book, Murphy reiterates this observation, describing 1776’s multiple military disasters in New York and noting the colonists’ loss of confidence and will. Corresponding battle maps require tedious scrutiny to follow the paths of the split British and Continental forces fighting around Manhattan, but the detailed background effectively serves as rising action, leading to Washington’s climactic crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas Day 1776 and subsequent defeat of the British at Trenton and Princeton. Now the army begins to coalesce, and readers see the importance of Washington’s tactic (his nickname: the ‘Old Fox’). A rather pale sepia-toned text and illustrations (including maps; portraits of important figures; and reproductions of paintings, frequently with smart captions) give the book a satisfying historical feel. Appended is a description of Washington Crossing the Delaware, Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze’s famous painting shown on the jacket; a helpful timeline, a list of websites, and a detailed bibliography.

Book Details

ISBN

9780439691864

First Release

February 2011

Genre

Dewey Classification

973.3/32

Trim Size

8" x 10"

Page Count

144

Accelerated Reader

Level 7.8; Points: 2;

Scholastic Reading Counts

Level 9.2; Points: 5;

Lexile

N/A

Format

Print Book

Edition

Publisher

Scholastic

Potentially Sensitive Areas

No sensitive areas

Topics

George Washington (1732-1799), Military leadership, William Howe (1729-1814), United States, Continental Army, Battle of Trenton, NJ, 1776, Delaware River Valley, American Revolution (1775-1783),