Washington City Is Burning [Hardcover]

Harriette Gillem Robinet (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1996

Although Virginia lives a comfortable life as a slave of President Madison, she does not believe in the cruelty of slavery as a whole and so devises a plan that sets many slaves free when the White House catches fire during the War of 1812.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6-Robinet has used some events of the War of 1812 and other historical facts as the background for this first-person fictionalized narrative. Virginia, or Virgie as Dolley Madison insists on calling her, recounts her life as a young slave of James and Dolley Madison. The strengths of this story are the author's use of the personal-journal style, the incorporation of real facts and people from the African-American community, and the attitudes of the British during that period of our history. Robinet evokes both empathy and dislike for her young heroine as Virginia recounts how she foolishly reveals secret information about slave escapes while trying to get some affection from a traitorous, hateful female slave. The slaves' strengths and weaknesses, the hardships and triumphs they endure, and their interactions unfold as readers get information about important events and people in Washington City during the early 1800s. The author's note will help readers get a better perspective about the truths in this work of fiction. This book could be introduced along with Patricia and Frederick McKissack's Christmas in the Big House, Christmas in the Quarters (Scholastic, 1994). The dialogue has the nuance of slave speech, but it will not deter readers. An above-average choice for historical-fiction shelves.
Marie T. Wright, University Library, Indianapolis
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 5^-7. As the story begins, a thrilled Virginia is on her way from James Madison's country home to Washington City, where the president and his wife, Dolley, now reside. She is surprised to learn that another house slave, Tobias, chose her to work at the White House. Virginia will have the opportunity to help slaves escape--because she is a child she can do things that would be too suspicious for an adult to undertake. Set in August 1814, as the war with the British comes to the door of the White House, this historical novel neatly incorporates many interesting details of the era. Equally well drawn is the character of Virginia. Robinet captures Virginia's conflicting feelings about her status. On the one hand, she is proud to be at the White House and flattered when Miss Dolley takes an interest in her, but on the other hand, she is angry at the condition of her people. The decisions she makes, not all good ones, stem from these mixed emotions A good adjunct to history units or just a good read. Ilene Cooper

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum; 1st edition (September 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689807732
• ISBN-13: 978-0689807732
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,584,300 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book!, November 29, 2011

By 

Teacher's Pet - See all my reviews

This review is from: Washington City Is Burning (Paperback)

This book is outstanding! The story and characters will stick with you.

The focus, of course, is the invasion of Washington City in the War of 1812. Tremendous extra value is added by telling the story from the point of view of a slave girl, Virginia. Dolley Madison saving the portrait of George Washington figures in the story, but that's really just the beginning. Washington City is Burning is a deep and inspiring book.

So much was added to this book because of a strong storyline about slavery in our nation's capital. To me, it was much more interesting than the actual invasion (although that is well told, too.) Did you know there were slave auctions just blocks away from the White House? Wait until you read about the suffering this little girl endured to save her fellow slaves--even before she became a house slave at the White House, the centerpiece of the book. There is an exciting sequence wherein Virginia rescues slaves that are to be sold at auction. Her bravery is stunning and humbling. Could you or I have done what she did?

I just cannot believe anyone would rate this book any less than 5 stars! I hope you read and enjoy this book. I think it is Newbery Medal quality.

4.0 out of 5 stars This book was very intersting!, May 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Washington City Is Burning (Hardcover)

The book has much history which children can enjoy to learn about. It talks about runaway slaves in the early 1800. I realy loved it!

1 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Washington City is Burning, February 15, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Washington City Is Burning (Hardcover)

I would give this book a low rating because it was really predictable and easy to read. When I first got it I thought it would be a challenge, and it wasn't. I didn't really like the book just because it had to do with older times, nothing new or at least recent. Another reason is it really didn't have as much war in it as I was hoping for. This book is kind of like Robot Raiders except no scientific stuff, and a much later year, plus this book was really easy. While Robot Raiders was kind of a challenge. If the book as a little more challenging then it could have probably gotten a higher rating. If some one were to use this for ideas for a history project it would be really good, because I believe the British did in fact actually invade and take over Washington city. That was the only time a president was forced to leave the White House.

I would probably recommend this book to a fifth grader or an advanced fourth grade reader. This book can actually be interesting at some points but when it really comes down to every thing, you'll probably know what is going to happen next.