Review by Booklist Review
Why were British ships sailing along the east coast of America in 1814? When Secretary of State James Monroe spied thousands of redcoats disembarking in Maryland, he knew that an attack on Washington was imminent. Monroe sent a message to President Madison and another to his clerk, Stephen Pleasonton, telling him to move the young nation's founding documents to a safe place. And Pleasonton did, though he almost forgot the original Declaration of Independence, which was hanging on the wall. Even when a powerful general scoffed at him, he persisted and, with help from "everyday Americans," moved the documents to safety before the British seized Washington. The picture book's back matter includes an author's note, a time line for the story's events, and facts about the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the U.S. Constitution, as well as information on visiting the National Archives and viewing its documents online. The colorful digital artwork captures the story's period setting and its drama, while maintaining a light tone overall. A little-known, intriguing tale concerning America's most-treasured documents.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Fotheringham's (Most Wanted) action-packed illustrations, hand-drawn and digitally rendered, bring to life a little-known piece of United States history. If not for Stephen Pleasonton, a clerk for then--Secretary of State James Monroe, the burning of the nascent nation's capital by British troops during the War of 1812 would have meant the destruction of important records. "Stephen lived and breathed paper. His job was not a powerful post, but it came with a particularly spectacular perk"--caring for the nation's important founding documents. Redding (Google It) imbues her often-alliterative narration with a sense of urgency, echoed in the artwork, as Pleasanton works to save original manuscripts such as the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. Nearly every spread features exigent motion, whether a galloping horse or Pleasonton running. The clerk oversees the sewing of large sacks for the documents, flags down evacuating wagons on which to stow them, and then hides them in the Virginia countryside while Washington burns. Back matter provides interesting historical details about some of the manuscripts and their road to the National Archives. Ages 4--8. (Apr.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 1--5--Stephen Pleasonton, a relatively unknown hero of the War of 1812, saved the physical copies of the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and the U.S. Constitution from destruction when the British attacked Washington, DC, in 1814. When Secretary of State James Monroe spied the British making preparations to invade the Capitol, he sent a note to President James Madison, and Monroe's office clerk, Pleasonton. The clerk immediately sprang into action and gathered the fledgling country's most valuable documents. He recruited fellow Americans to aid in his mission, even as Secretary of War John Armstrong scoffed at the idea of the British invading Washington which, at the time, was a swamp. Pleasonton's bravery and persistence allowed many important national documents to survive. The narrative propels readers forward and is complimented by Fotheringham's playful, digitally rendered illustrations. An author's note, information about the rescued documents, a time line, and a bibliography are included. VERDICT Although the story would have benefited from additional background information about the War of 1812, this picture book is a unique tale of heroism by an ordinary and relatively unknown clerk. A welcome addition to history shelves.--Jennifer Knight, North Olympic Library System, Port Angeles, WA
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
The British are comingagain!When lowly clerk Stephen Pleasonton receives a note from his boss, Secretary of State James Monroe, everything changes. It's 1812, and Washington, D.C., is at risk from the Britisheven though the U.S. military doesn't seem to think soand Pleasonton has been instructed to "remove the records," meaning that he should save the original documents that helped the United States develop as a nation. Exaggerated but appealing illustrations show the sequence of events while descriptive, action-filled text narrates the tale. Fotheringham's drawings have the look of old-time editorial cartoons, and the text pops with strategically placed emphases. While the story itself may be a mere footnote to history, it inadvertently reveals how the world has changed (paper documents and records being much less the norm today) and seeks to convey the awe many feel in regard to primary sources and artifacts. A reminder of a more innocent age when patriotism was taken for granted, this rollicking tale gives a nice sense of the time period. It also emphasizes how the actions of a less-than-famous but determined individual can have great effect and demonstrates that each person's role in historyeven one that focuses on packing up government files and papersis important. Budding historians as well as those unfamiliar with history will both enjoy this pleasant, fast-moving selection. (endnotes, timeline, bibliography) (Informational picture book. 5-10) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
