A Young Patriot facts for kids
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Author | Jim Murphy |
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Country | USA |
Language | English |
Subject | Children's non-fiction, US history, |
Published | 1996 (Clarion Books) |
Media type | Print (hardback) |
Pages | 101 |
ISBN | 978-0-395-60523-3 |
OCLC | 29310303 |
A Young Patriot: The American Revolution as Experienced by One Boy is an exciting history book for young readers. Written by Jim Murphy, it was published in 1996. This book tells the story of the American Revolution. It does this through the real-life experiences of a young soldier named Joseph Plumb Martin.
Contents
What is "A Young Patriot" About?
This book gives you a close-up look at the American Revolution. It's not just about famous generals or big battles. Instead, it focuses on what it was like for an ordinary person. The story is based on the actual diary of Joseph Plumb Martin. He joined the Continental Army when he was just 15 years old.
The book shares his daily life during the war. You'll read about the challenges soldiers faced. This includes harsh weather, hunger, and dangerous battles. It helps readers understand the human side of this important historical event.
Who Was Joseph Plumb Martin?
Joseph Plumb Martin was a real soldier who fought in the American Revolution. He was born in 1760 and lived in Connecticut. At a young age, he decided to join the fight for American independence. He served for seven years, from 1776 to 1783.
After the war, Martin wrote down his memories. His book, "A Narrative of Some of the Adventures, Dangers and Sufferings of a Revolutionary Soldier," was published in 1830. Jim Murphy used this original account to write "A Young Patriot." This makes the book very accurate and personal.
What Was the American Revolution?
The American Revolution was a major war fought between 1775 and 1783. It was a fight for independence. The thirteen American colonies wanted to break free from Great Britain's rule. They believed they should govern themselves.
The colonists were tired of unfair taxes and laws. They felt they had no say in their own government. Leaders like George Washington helped guide the American forces. The war ended with the colonies winning their freedom. This led to the creation of the United States of America.
Key Events of the Revolution
The American Revolution had many important moments. It began with battles like Lexington and Concord. These clashes showed that the colonists were ready to fight. The Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776. This document officially declared the colonies' desire for freedom.
Major battles included Saratoga and Yorktown. The Battle of Saratoga was a big American victory. It convinced France to help the colonists. The Battle of Yorktown in 1781 was the final major battle. It led to the British surrender. The Treaty of Paris in 1783 officially ended the war.
About the Author: Jim Murphy
Jim Murphy was a well-known American author. He wrote many non-fiction books for young people. His books often focused on history and science. He was known for making complex topics easy to understand and exciting to read.
Murphy did a lot of research for his books. He used original sources, like diaries and letters. This helped him tell true stories in a vivid way. He won many awards for his writing. His goal was to make history come alive for his readers.
Awards for the Book
While "A Young Patriot" itself didn't win a specific award, it contributed to a major honor for its author. In 2010, Jim Murphy received the prestigious Margaret Edwards Award. This award recognizes an author's lifetime contribution to young adult literature. "A Young Patriot" was one of five books highlighted as reasons for him receiving this important award.