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Synopsis
An acclaimed author gives young readers a new perspective on the American Revolution in this thoughtful picture book. Katie, a child of Loyalists, is frightened by all the talk of independence that is igniting passions in her New England town. Then one day, when Patriot neighbors ransack her home, Katie finds that her very survival rests in the hands of the "enemies". Full color. 32 pp. Ages 5-8. Pub: 12/97.
Children's Literature
Turner weaves fiction and history into the story of a young Tory girl who feels the tension growing as the rebels arm themselves at the start of the American Revolution. When former friends enter her house ready to thieve and destroy, Katie angrily and foolishly rushes into danger. She's saved by a young man whose allegiance to goodness is stronger than to his cause. The story reveals facts and issues in an equal balance, making for discussion at a variety of levels. Students in upper elementary school can unite writing and current events by projecting themselves into a modern setting (e.g. Bosnia or South Africa) and write a story that portrays a hero/heroine who, like Katie, struggles to gain identity and integrity against the backdrop of strife. Newspapers, periodicals, and TV reports will provide useful background information for these pieces, as students understand how research contributes to writing fiction.