In Search of Molly Pitcher [Paperback]

Linda Grant De Pauw (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 4, 2008

When Peggy McAllister learns about the Rattletop Award for "excellence in eighth grade social studies," she is determined to win it with a research paper on a Great American Hero. But when she chooses Molly Pitcher, the famous Revolutionary War heroine of the Battle of Monmouth, as her subject, she runs into difficulties. With the help of her Greatgramps, a retired private investigator, his lady friend Mrs. Spinner, a local historian and secret author of historical romance novels, and Ms. Guelphstein, a dedicated reference librarian, Peggy sorts through a maze of confusing and contradictory evidence to identify the "real" Molly Pitcher.

Product Details

• Paperback: 164 pages
• Publisher: Lulu.com (January 4, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1435706072
• ISBN-13: 978-1435706071
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #717,445 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The difficulty of historical research in combination with the goal to win the coveted Rattletop prize, February 27, 2008

By 

Charles Ashbacher (Marion, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: In Search of Molly Pitcher (Paperback)

History based on the actions of anyone not extremely famous and documented is often largely based on true stories of significant deeds that become even more significant over time. Molly Pitcher is considered a heroine of the American Revolutionary War; supposedly she received her name and fame as a water carrier. The story, most of which has to be legend, is that as the battle of Monmouth raged on a very hot day, a woman carried fresh water to the frontline troops. Since she supposedly carried it in a pitcher and had the nickname of Molly, when the soldiers needed water, they called out, "Molly, the pitcher", which was shortened to "Molly Pitcher."
Peggy McAllister is an eighth student who is determined to win the Rattletop award for the best research paper profiling a great American hero. Her choice is the part fictional/part factual character of "Molly Pitcher." Peggy is ably assisted in her search for information by GreatGramps, a retired private investigator and veteran of World War II, Mrs. Spinner, a local historian who is also the author of historical novels and many helpful librarians. As Peggy conducts her research, she begins to realize that history is factually based, but only to a point.
She has a hard time in determining exactly what Molly's real name was, as there are several candidates for the role. By using intelligent cross-referencing and assigning relative probabilities to the accuracy of the claims, she is able to develop a reasonable report regarding the life of Molly.
This story gives the reader an excellent glimpse into how fictional history can be when you delve into the details. The reasoning engaged in by Peggy and her aides demonstrates that some of the tale must be myth. The idea that Molly would be lugging water in a simple pitcher is absurd; it is far more likely that she would have hauled it in a bucket. The investigators also apply a historical context regarding the medical thought of the time and they even ponder whether the Colonial forces would have removed many of their clothes before the battle due to the heat of the day.
This book maintained my interest throughout; I completed it in less than a day. It soundly describes the elements and pitfalls of research, how lengthy and difficult it can be and how multiple sources can contradict one another.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book for Those Learning to Research, May 29, 2008

By 

Lonnie E. Holder "The Review's the Thing" (Columbus, Indiana, United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: In Search of Molly Pitcher (Paperback)

I loved this book nearly from the beginning. What intrigued me almost immediately is that Linda Grant De Pauw wrapped the entire story around the basics of research. While schools give you research assignments, rarely do they teach you how to research, and "In Search of Molly Pitcher" does.

When Peggy McAllister learns about the Rattletop award for "excellence in social studies," she knows that she has to be the winner. Little does she realize that the journey she undertakes will provide her with greater rewards than the Rattletop award.

Peggy knows very little about research, but her grandfather suggests she goes to see Mrs. Spinner. At first, Peggy thinks Mrs. Spinner is more than a little eccentric, but she quickly learns that there is more to Mrs. Spinner than first appears. Peggy also learns that Mrs. Spinner is a master researcher and Peggy puts her newly learned knowledge of basic research to the test immediately.

As all good researchers know, there is more to research than making up note cards and organizing them. Peggy learns that supposedly reputable sources often are not, the value of cross-checking references, and the difference between primary sources versus secondary sources. While my explanation may seem dry, Peggy's journey is not. Peggy learns the value of visiting locations where events happened to help put her information into perspective. Peggy also learns the value of deductive reasoning and analysis. I believe the parts of the book where Peggy reconciled her data were my favorite parts of the book.

In addition to an overview of research basics, Peggy's search for the real Molly Pitcher was outstanding. I learned more about Molly Pitcher, and the misinformation surrounding Molly Pitcher, than I have learned in the rest of my life. It seems to me that the story as I learned it so many decades ago was filled with errors.

Rarely do I recommend books to wide audiences, because most books have a specific niche that they fit into. "In Search of Molly Pitcher" should be required reading for all students planning to attend college, and certainly for any aspiring historian or scientist. This book provides an easy way to learn the basics of research and teaches that a researcher must challenge information asserted to be facts until the information can be cross-checked by an independent source or a primary source; preferably a couple of primary sources. By surrounding these fundamental lessons with the story of an eighth grade student doing her own research project was brilliant. Kudos to author Linda Grant De Pauw!

Enjoy!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An innovative approach to getting middle schoolers interested in history, March 10, 2008

By 

Friend Mouse (www.friendmouse.blogspot.com) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In Search of Molly Pitcher (Paperback)

In Search of Molly Pitcher, by Linda Grant De Pauw, is a young adult novel that not only seeks to solve the mystery of just who Molly Pitcher was, but also the mystery that confounded all of us in grade school: how the heck am I supposed to write a paper about that?

The protagonist is Peggy McAllister, a thoroughly modern heroine. Peggy is a misfit at school, seemingly friendless, and throws herself into her schoolwork to keep busy. When a local contest offers prize money for "excellence in eighth grade social studies," Peggy decides to enter with a paper on a great American hero. She picks Molly Pitcher out of a list her social studies teacher provides to the class even though the teacher tries to dissuade her from this selection, saying too few facts are known about Molly. Peggy is tough, however, and more than up for the challenge.

And what a challenge it is. Conflicting stories abound - some calling Molly a sergeant and others a captain; some saying her husband was killed and others just wounded; some saying she carried a pitcher and others a bucket - and very few are based on primary sources. Peggy soldiers on, with support from her Greatgramps and a local historian/historical romance author, collecting a huge amount of evidence about the numerous women who were on the battlefields of the Revolutionary War. She finally develops her thesis that "Molly Pitcher" was not an actual person but instead the embodiment of female martial bravery during the American Revolution. Peggy writes her paper and wins her prize - although her cranky social studies teacher gives her a B- for writing about several women as opposed to one American hero, as was the assignment.

Peggy is a very believable little girl. The quest she goes on to uncover the truth about this American icon is likewise laid out in realistic fashion. In Search of Molly Pitcher is as much an instruction manual on how to undertake a research project as it is a detective story about one of American history's mysteries. De Pauw takes the reader step by step through the research process her main character follows: figuring out what questions need answering, learning the difference between primary and secondary sources, assembling a bibliography, organizing information into hard evidence and leads for further exploration, and putting the mass of information into cohesive form.

It's been a long time since I had to write an eighth grade research paper. I'm also not that interested in the American Revolution. But I sat down and read In Search of Molly Pitcher in one sitting, as excited as Peggy as she sorted out the facts from the fiction about her hero. This book takes an innovative approach to getting middle schoolers interested in history. If only someone had done something like this for math when I was in grade school I might be able to solve the mystery that is my checkbook register today.