Siege How General Washington kicked the British out of Boston and launched a revolution

Gr 7 Up-In the summer of 1775, General George Washington and his troops could barely get the American Revolution off the ground. In her collection of free verse poems, Orgill covers the chaotic beginnings of the fight for independence. Each poem, titled by the character or event that's being discussed, is a crystal-clear snapshot. Through strong imagery, readers are transported back in time and can see, hear, and even smell the revolution. Points of view are switched often throughout to give a broad picture of all aspects of war. While there are many books on this time period, there are not many that are written in verse. The back matter offered is substantial and there are source notes for specific quotations and characterizations, including Orgill's representation of William Lee, who was enslaved by George Washington. The bibliography offers print and up-to-date digital resources, along with how the author used them and which ones were particularly useful to her research. While this collection of poems is a clever way to present information, it should not be used as a reference source for school reports, as these are poems based on historical events. VERDICT A gateway book to the American Revolution for reluctant readers and fans of Hamilton.-Kerri Williams, -Sachem Public Library, Holbrook, NY © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

In the summer of 1775, Washington arrives in Massachusetts to lead rebel forces against British troops occupying Boston. Orgill's free-verse poems span a year and feature the perspectives of ten historical figures (including Washington's "servant-slave") and one fictional boy. The extensively researched novel highlights a pivotal time in U.S. history and illuminates small moments in individual lives. Map. Bib., glos. (c) Copyright 2019. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

A poetic rendering of the early days of the American Revolution.In 1775, the British occupied Boston to quell the colonists, whom George III called an "unhappy and deluded multitude." Orgill tells the story as a novel in verse, preceding it with a cast of characters, including George Washington; his aide-de-camp, Joseph Reed; William Lee, "Washington's slave who travels with him"; Henry Knox, a Boston bookseller who rose to the rank of colonel; and Abigail Adams. The perspective alternates among the characters, breaking for the occasional military order or news update and incorporating quotations from primary sources. Most "voices" are written from a third-person point of view, good for presenting information but distancing readers from the characters. The volume is most alive when protagonists speak for themselves, making the contrast with the more objective voice noticeable. Still, third-person narration can summon energy, too, as in a snowball fight among patriot troops: "Fifty men became / a thousand / biting, punching / gouging / a knockdown battle / sailor vs. huntsman / musket vs. rifle / north against south." All in all, the multiple perspectives give a solid overview of how the incipient Revolution would affect those involved and effectively portray Washington learning as he goes. An interesting take on an oft-told story and an especially fine choice for readers' theater in the classroom. (maps, glossary, source notes, bibliography) (Historical verse fiction. 9-14) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.