Let It Begin Here!: Lexington and Concord: First Battles of the American Revolution [Hardcover]

Dennis Brindell Fradin (Author), Larry Day (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up

In less than 24 hours a rebellious colony would be changed forever.

April 18, 1775
9:30 P.M. Paul Revere learns that the British army is marching to Lexington and Concord to arrest rebel leaders and destroy American military supplies.

11:00 P.M. Revere begins his famous midnight ride to warn his fellow patriots about the British plans.

April 19, 1775
12:00 A.M. Revere reaches Lexington and warns rebel leaders Samuel Adams and John Hancock that the British are coming. They escape and rouse the town's militia.

1:00 A.M. Revere is captured by the British, but a fellow patriot continues on to warn the sleeping village of Concord.

5:00 A.M. An advance lookout for the Lexington militia spots the approaching British army and shouts a warning.

5:20 A.M. Most of the 70 Lexington militiamen, outgunned by the military might of the 250 British regulars, decide to back down. But a few men stand their ground, including Jonas Parker, a grandfather who has vowed never to flee the British.

Suddenly, a shot rings out.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4-Although brief, this book contains an informative description of the opening shots of the American Revolution. It starts with a who's who identifying the major players and a short introduction that provides some historical context. An hour-by-hour account of the events of April 18 and 19, 1775, follows, beginning with Paul Revere's ride to warn Samuel Adams (pictured in a fetching nightshirt and cap) and John Hancock in Lexington, as well as the patriots in Concord, that the British are on the move. Fradin presents quick summaries of the two battles, highlighting a few interesting facts and individuals in the exciting narrative. Vivid two-page watercolor, gouache, and pen-and-ink illustrations, reminiscent of Robert Andrew Parker's style, dramatize the events. Text blocks are carefully placed both for legibility and design. A map on the front endpapers shows a free rendering of the Boston area; one in the back places Massachusetts within the 13 colonies. A compelling cover, featuring determined-looking patriots holding muskets, will entice youngsters to pick up this book, and its appealing format makes it appropriate for reading aloud. Stephen Krensky's Paul Revere's Midnight Ride (HarperCollins, 2002) has a similar look and tone, but a different focus. Neil Johnson's The Battle of Lexington and Concord (Four Winds, 1992) provides more detail and is illustrated with reenactor photographs.-Elaine Fort Weischedel, Milton Public Library, MA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Gr. 2-4. Using active verbs and present tense, Fradin creates a crisply written, vivid, you-are-there account of Paul Revere's actions on the night of April 18, 1775, and the battles in Lexington and Concord on the following day, ending with the British limping back to Boston in the evening. Rather than sanitizing or romanticizing the beginning of the Revolutionary War, this account acknowledges the bloody, deadly nature of the fighting. Each section of the book begins with a notation of the date and time. An afterword comments on the significance of the battles in American history. Facing the introduction to preceding events in Boston, a page called "Who's Who" identifies the main historical figures on each side, picturing them in tiny silhouette portraits. An identical list at the book's end tells "What Happened to the People," followed by bibliographies of sources and recommended reading, including Stephen Krensky's fine picture book Paul Revere's Midnight Ride (2002). Well-composed double-page illustrations, ink drawings with watercolor and gouache, highlight the human drama implicit in the text. Although not the first illustrated book to present these pivotal events in American history, this one is notable for the immediacy of its telling, and its strong writing, art, and design. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Walker Childrens (April 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802789455
• ISBN-13: 978-0802789457
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #821,551 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

"I have the time of my life as a children's author," says Dennis Brindell Fradin, prolific author of close to one hundred and fifty books. "I try not to let a day of the year go by without working." Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, he earned a creative writing degree from Northwestern University, then taught elementary school for twelve years. In 1989, the National College of Education honored him as the Educator of the Year. He is married to writer Judith Bloom Fradin, who did the photo research on this book. They live in Evanston, Illinois and have three grown children.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bringing History to Life, June 5, 2011

By 

kiddielitlover - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Let It Begin Here!: Lexington and Concord: First Battles of the American Revolution (Hardcover)

This is a wonderfully told story of an important historical event. I have read it to 4th graders to begin the study of the American Revolution, and I've had them break into applause during the story just as if they'd been watching a movie at a theater. It gives this event a personal touch as the story tells of the everyday men who stood up to, at that time, the strongest army in the world.

It is perfect to share with ELL students who may not have the background knowledge to understand this period in history. The illustrations highly support, and enhance, the text. I highly recommend it for anyone who teaches history.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Let It Begin Here!: Lexington and Concord: First Battles of the American Revolution, June 11, 2009

By 

Joan A. Hinkley (Charlottesville, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Let It Begin Here!: Lexington and Concord: First Battles of the American Revolution (Hardcover)

I originally bought only one book as part of the book is about a relative of mine killed in the first battle in Boston. I was so impressed with the presentation, I returned and bought 4 more. One was donated to the library of my grandaughters elementary school in Washington, DC. The pictures are great and the writting is excellent.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An hour-by-hour account of Paul Revere and the patriots on April 18-April 19, 1775, August 9, 2011

By 

M. Heiss (USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Let It Begin Here!: Lexington & Concord: First Battles of the American Revolution (Paperback)

Dennis Brindell Fradin never lets me down. This book puts your child right into the events surronding Paul Revere's midnight ride to warn the patriots of Lexington and Concord. Shows the running battle from Concord back to Boston and concludes with the British straggling back into town. GREAT illustrations.

Includes a who's who of people on both sides, and forwards the information that British General Gag's wife may have secretly been assisting the Americans. Also includes a run down of the outcomes for the main characters involved. Nice map of colonial America; nice map of the area between Boston and Concord.