"A brave boy acts the Johnny Raw"
Ariel Bradley, Spy for General Washington
By: Lynda Durrant
Genres: Childrens
Posted: April 28, 2013
ARIEL BRADLEY, SPY FOR GENERAL WASHINGTON - the title encapsulates the plot as young Ariel waits at home for the return of his soldier brothers, with the scent of baking cobbler making his mouth water. When Thaddeus and James arrive with smart uniforms and sparkling buttons, Ariel wants to emulate them but is too young. Next day the brothers borrow the elderly grey mare Salt and a sack of corn, and take Ariel on a four-day trek to meet General Washington. Armed with his sack of corn and a rope halter, Ariel is set up on Salt and told to ride down among the green-clad Hessian soldiers and ask for directions to the corn mill. If he can, he is to ride further into the enemy encampment in wooded New York State and discover the strength of General Howe's red-clad British army. How many men, guns, horses, injured are in the enemy lines? Can Ariel manage such a brave task, and if he does, can he return with the information?
Illustrations by Joe Rossi bring the tale to colourful life as Ariel is told to act the Johnny Raw and lose his tricorn hat, or Salt gets to roll on the green grass. Lynda Durrant could have added more tension but she has aimed at the younger end of the young adult spectrum, and both girls and boys will enjoy reading of Ariel's wit and bravery. This may also help to bring a period in history to life for young students. I liked this book ARIEL BRADLEY and wished it was longer.
Book Summary
This book is based on a true event, the real life adventure of nine year-old Ariel Bradley. It reveals the anxiety of the Americans, who a battle in the first months of the Revolutionary War. It also shows George Washington’s keen sense of humor and his wily, perceptive view of his British adversaries.
Ariel Bradley is Washington’s boy spy who pretends to be a country bumpkin (a “Johnny Raw”). He ‘stumbles’ into General Howe’s camp “looking for the mill” his father has sent him in search of. In reality, he is assessing the strength and numbers of the British and their Hessian (German) allies. After he is sent on his way by the unsuspecting English, he reports this to General Washington and his staff. This information proves key in what became known as the Battle of White Plains.
Ariel Bradley, Spy for General Washington
by: Lynda Durrant
Author Self-Published
September 1, 2013
On Sale: September 1, 2013
Featuring: Ariel Bradley
56 pages
ISBN: 0983290482
EAN: 9780983290483
Paperback