Home of the Brave
A great review for Home of the Brave from School Library Journal–lovely way to start out the school year!
Read MoreThis graphic novel from independent nonprofit StoryCorps’s treasure trove represents a snapshot of diverse American voices. Each nonfiction entry expresses the humanity shared amongst everyday individuals regardless of hardships, boundaries, and historical events. . . . Fourteen true stories in all, each one explores human experiences while navigating complex situations. Standouts include the profile on one of the first Black midwives registered in North Carolina, an account of the young man who was by President Kennedy’s side in his last moments, and the story of a combat medic in the Vietnam War. . . . A timely and worthwhile addition to collections commemorating America’s 250th anniversary, offering an engaging exploration of the nation’s founding ideals and history.
Home of the Brave
I’m looking forward to November, when the graphic nonfiction work Home of the Brave will be hitting shelves! This is a compilation of true stories collected by StoryCorps, giving us personal stories of the American experience from the Civil War, the Great Depression, the Civil Rights era, the AIDS epidemic, and more.
I’ve just had my first glimpse of the jacket and am excited to share!
Read MoreThe End of the Ride and the Start of a War
Paul Revere’s ride ended at Lexington, where he was captured by British soldiers. (They let him go later.) Samual Prescott carried the word on to his hometown of Concord while the militia of Lexington gathered on the green at dawn of April 19, 1775, to face the British troops marching their way. The youngest member of that militia was the Johnathan Harrington, the piper.
Give us a song, Jon
they say
and I do
but how can I give them
a spray of notes
a wisp of melody
how can I give them something
none of us can hold?
When that dawn breaks
my tunes float out
into the chill gray air,
carrying the captains orders
to every soldier’s ear:
Gather here Stay together Stand fast
and I hope I’ve given them something
all of us can hold
The Night It All Began
Two hundred and fifty-one years ago today, a stable boy tore through the streets of Boston to bring a warning to Paul Revere. We don’t know the boy’s name or exactly what he said, but he was one of many who helped set a midnight ride into motion and set the stage for a brand-new country to arise.
When Paul Revere Rode tells the story of that night, and the very first poem in the book tells the story of that stable boy:
The patter of hooves
like the roll of a drum
like the thump of a heart
like a fist of the door
A good horse will run
like speed is his soul
and wind is an enemy
he can defeat
That’s how I run
through the alleys of Boston
cobble and brick
a track for my feet
to burst in the door
to be first with the news
for time is an enemy
speed can defeat:
The soldiers!
The Regulars!
They’re on the march!
Sarah L. Thomson
A children’s book author publishing award-winning nonfiction, poetry, picture books and novels including…
“Thomson focuses on newfound connection, magic, and suspense to conjure a fast-paced, heartwarming mystery. Thomson’s world is populated by resourceful protagonists, fanciful creatures, and quirky supporting characters.”
—Publishers Weekly