Betsy Ross: Patriot of Philadelphia (Redfeather Books) [Hardcover]

Judith St. George (Author), Sasha Meret (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Series: Redfeather Books

In the spring of 1776, George Washington stopped at Betsy Ross's little upholstery shop and asked her to sew a flag-- a flag that would unite the thirteen colonies in their fight for independence from Great Britain.

In Judith St. George's detailed account, Betsy Ross emerges as a strong and spirited woman. Her independent streak led her to marry outside her Quaker faith and served her well throughout her life: widowed three times and the mother of seven daughters, she maintained her own business for more than fifty years.

Here is the inspiring story of one of the courageous and self-reliant women who shaped American history: the "patriot of Philadelphia" who created the banner that helped unite the nation.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6?St. George uses historical records to create a well-crafted biography for a slightly older audience than the readers of Alexandra Wallner's Betsy Ross (Holiday, 1994). Although the jacket art shows Ross stitching busily on the Stars and Stripes, and the exciting commission from George Washington is a highlight of the narrative, the author's note is careful to explain that there is room for doubt about who was truly responsible for the first American flag. Much more emphasis is placed on Ross within the context of her times: her family history among the Quakers of Philadelphia, her several marriages, her life as a businesswoman, and, most of all, her role as a Patriot during the Revolutionary War. Interesting details of daily life in 18th-century urban America figure into every chapter. Descriptions of Ross's busy upholstery shop are particularly lively and are frequently accompanied by Meret's appealing black-and-white illustrations. A bibiliography lists more than 20 primary and secondary sources about the subject and her world.?Starr E. Smith, Marymount University Library, Arlington, VA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 3^-6. This admiring biography tells the story of Betsy Ross, including details of her childhood as a Quaker in Philadelphia, her apprenticeship to an upholsterer, family life, and the meeting with General Washington that led to her making the nation's first flag. In an appended note, St. George states that although no written records prove that Ross sewed the first American flag, she believes the story to be factual, apparently because Betsy Ross and her female descendants declared it to be true and as "devout Quakers . . . they were women of unquestionable honesty." Whether the flag section is fact or legend, readers will find the book an attractive portrait of a woman living in Philadelphia during the pivotal decades at the end of the eighteenth century. The black-and-white illustrations, which appear to be prints, capture the spirit of folk art in their simplicity, innocence, and good nature. Carolyn Phelan

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 118 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) (November 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805054391
• ISBN-13: 978-0805054392
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #469,047 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT, August 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Betsy Ross: Patriot of Philadelphia (Redfeather Books) (Hardcover)

I READ THIS BOOK TO MY 7 YEAR OLD SHE LOVES BETSY ROSS EVER SINCE SHE WENT TO HER HOUSE IN PHILADELPHIA. SHE REALLY LOVED THIS BOOK AS WELL DID I IT WAS VERY WELL PUT AND IT MADE YOU REALLY GET CLOSE TO A LOT OF THE EVENTS THAT SHAPED OUR COUNTRY!!! I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ANY CHILD EXPLORING THE HISTORY AROUND US!!!

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice gift for a little girl, November 11, 2008

By 

Vivian (Lake George) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Betsy Ross: Patriot of Philadelphia (Redfeather Books) (Hardcover)

I paired this with a MA Doll of Betsy Ross I got off ebay. Together, they made a sweet x-mas gift. I am sure the parents were delighted.