General Military History, United States - 19th Century - Civil War - History, Biography - General & Miscellaneous
Log in to track your reading progress.
Overview
In the capital of the Confederacy during the Civil War, a Southern woman from a wealthy family, Elizabeth Van Lew, risked her life to spy for the North. She took food and books (often containing secret messages) to imprisoned Union soldiers and helped them escape. She created a spy network and sent valuable military information to Northern generals. Van Lew opposed slavery so much that she bought slaves to free them. Her bravery and her devotion to her country and to freedom made her an American hero.Editorials
Children's Literature -
From the first pages describing the escape of 109 Union soldiers from Libby Prison, this biography uses the exciting events from Elizabeth Van Lew's life as a Civil War spy to engage the reader. Part of the "We the People" series, this is an excellent addition to the list of people that we should know about. Lew was caught between her hometown and the beliefs she had firmly established during her schooling in the North. She put her life at risk serving as a Union spy in Richmond, the Confederate capital, and was left impoverished after the war because her neighbors always believed she was a traitor. While keeping content and vocabulary age-appropriate, this text shows the consequences and bravery behind standing up for your beliefs. The narrative is well-paced and clearly organized. The design, including photographs, artwork, maps, and news clippings, is attractive and accessible. The "Did You Know?" facts page and brief descriptions of selected important people provide interesting information in a format that is easy to reference. Features include a glossary, timeline, suggested reading, historical sites, an index, and websites via www.Facthound.com. Reviewer: Jennifer LehmannBook Details
Published
March 30, 2009
Publisher
Capstone Press
Pages
24
Format
Library Binding
ISBN
9780756541040