By the Sword [Hardcover]

Selene Castrovilla (Author), Bill Farnsworth (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2007 | Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

Meet Benjamin Tallmadge, a young teacher in the midst of Revolutionary America. Spurred by the cry for freedom and the blood spilled at Lexington and Concord, Benjamin sacrifices his career and his dreams to enlist in George Washington's army. Readers follow Benjamin and his beloved horse, Highlander, into fiery combat at the Battle of Long Island. Benjamin grapples with the realities of being a soldier - the blasts of cannons, the smell of gunpowder, the relentlessness of the enemy. Will he and the rest of the battered Americans escape from Brooklyn unhurt? Selene Castrovilla has woven Benjamin Tallmadge's own account with additional details from primary-source documents and extensive research to deliver this thrilling narrative of one of history's most harrowing moments.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4–6—In 1776, Benjamin Tallmadge, a school headmaster, felt called to leave his position and join George Washington's army, defending the freedom of the fledgling American nation. Making informed use of primary-source material, including Tallmadge's memoirs, this fictionalized accounting follows the young man who would go on to have a distinguished career as one of Washington's trusted officers and spies, through the Battle of Long Island. The visceral narrative captures Tallmadge's involvement in that battle, from his first shot at a fellow human being to his return to the battlefield to retrieve his horse, and also limns the emotional state of an untried soldier as he begins to square his beliefs with the reality of their cost. Farnsworth's oil on linen canvas illustrations are likewise thoroughly researched and do a sound job of depicting conditions and the times. The slightly impressionistic feel and realistic use of color do much to enhance a sense of the confusion of battle. A wonderful accompaniment to Scott Ingram's more global and entirely factual approach in The Battle of Long Island (Gale, 2003), this is an excellent introduction to the use of primary-source material to create a plausible historical narrative that also adds a human face. A time line of Tallmadge's life, a list of places to visit, research notes, and an excellent print bibliography are included.—Ann Welton, Helen B. Stafford Elementary, Tacoma, WA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Culled from extensive historical sources, Castrovilla's picture book for older children tells the story of Benjamin Tallmadge, a schoolteacher. At the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, Benjamin brings his faithful horse with him to Brooklyn to enlist in General Washington's army, just as British troops ready their attack upon the vastly outnumbered patriots. Once the action starts, Castrovilla does an admirable job of portraying the tension and dread an unweathered soldier would feel in the face of battle without resorting to the grisly details. After the Americans are forced to retreat across a river to safety, Benjamin realizes he has left his beloved horse behind and risks everything to save it. Farnsworth's oil-on-canvas paintings, which have an aged, worn look, mix the muted browns of battlefield muck with the diffused grays of early morning fog to heighten the action of flint striking gunpowder and cannonballs raining from the sky. A time line, map, and source notes provide plenty of additional learning opportunities to place the story within the history. Ian Chipman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Boyds Mills Pr (April 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590784278
• ISBN-13: 978-1590784273
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #987,776 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great NEW American History Book for Middle Grades, August 16, 2007

By 

Serban Protopopescu "Scientist, Father, & Reader" (Long Island) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: By the Sword (Hardcover)

BY THE SWORD is a touching Revolutionary War story told from a unique perspective. A young teacher, just twenty-two years old, is moved to enlist in George Washington's army. Neither he nor his beloved horse, Highlander, is prepared for battle. As Selene Castrovilla begins her story, "Benjamin Tallmadge had never killed before." When he fires his musket for the first time, he takes off, "not looking to see if he'd hit anyone." Young readers will identify with his reluctance.

The Battle of Long Island unfolds with breathtaking intimacy. We are close to the man and his horse as they weather a British assault, the lack of sleep, poor food, drenching rains, contradictory orders, and their own fears, in order to help save Washington's army from annihilation. Selene Castrovilla's prose evokes the anxiety of war with painterly details, but without drenching young readers in the carnage.

When Benjamin, in the heat of retreat, forgets Highlander, he receives permission to go back, by boat, to retrieve him. So this story is also about a brave young man who risks his life to save his beloved horse. As cannonballs from the fierce, advancing Hessians (mercenaries on the British side) narrowly miss Benjamin's retreating boat with Highlander safe on board, readers of all ages will be cheering.

Bill Farnsworth's expressive oil paintings on canvas enhance the text, from the flash of musket fire to the thick blanket of fog that kept the British fleet idling long enough for Washington's army to escape. Detailed endpaper maps enable readers to follow the troops. The author's research notes, timeline, suggested places to visit, and detailed bibliography of sources makes this an absolute must-have book for all teachers and students of history, for anyone interested in the birth of the United States of America. .

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Parents and teachers, this book is a must read ...., April 27, 2007

By 

Pascale Laforest "Library chick" (Nassau County, New York, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: By the Sword (Hardcover)

Do you want your kids to actually read a book, enjoy it and learn something too? Well, this is the book for them. It's a good read, action packed, interesting and surprise, surprise ... you learn some local history. Selene Castrovilla sucks you into Benjamin Tallmadge's world even if history is not your thing. Coupled with wonderful illustrations by William Farnsworth this book is a must have.

4.0 out of 5 stars Gripping, vivid and real without tarnishing innocence, September 9, 2009

By 

Lisa Barker - See all my reviews

This review is from: By the Sword (Hardcover)

Gripping, vivid and real, but perfect for this age group (9-12) without tarnishing their innocence. Castrovilla and Farnsworth bring the reality of war and the vibrancy of history down to a level older children can grasp and will fire them up to learn about the Revolutionary War. Castrovilla weaves this tale from extensive histotical resources and provides a time line, map, and source notes that will add greatly to the study of this time period.