George vs. George: The Revolutionary War as Seen by Both Sides

by Rosalyn Schanzer (Author)

George vs. George: The Revolutionary War as Seen by Both Sides
Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade
There are two sides to every story. Rosalyn Schanzer's engaging and wonderfully illustrated book brings to life both sides of the American Revolution.

The narrative introduces anew the two enemies, both named George: George Washington, the man who freed the American colonies from the British, and George III, the British king who lost them. Two leaders on different sides of the Atlantic, yet with more in common than we sometimes acknowledge. We are lead through their story, and the story of their times, and see both sides of the arguments that divided the colonies from the Kingdom. Was King George a "Royal Brute" as American patriots claimed? Or was he, as others believed, "the father of the people?" Was George Washington a scurrilous traitor, as all the king's supporters claimed? Or should we remember and celebrate him as "the father of his country?" Who was right? History teaches us that there are two sides to every story.

Rosalyn Schanzer's book is an accessible account of one the most vital periods in American history. It is also a timeless lesson in seeing history from different points of view. The author spent two years researching books, paintings, cartoons, and descriptions of Revolutionary times. She uses art, text, and first-hand accounts to illustrate how history should never be reduced to simplistic conflicts between the "good guys" and the "bad guys." Her illustrations, and her engaging quote bubbles, bring the Revolution to life again, and allow the characters of the period to speak for themselves. Through its lively text, detailed illustrations, and fully authenticated quotes, George vs. George shines fresh light on both sides of the story of our country's formative years.
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School Library Journal

Starred Review
Gr 3-6 -A carefully researched, evenhanded narrative with well-crafted, vibrant, watercolor illustrations. Schanzer states that her challenge was to "]cram 20 years of history, biography, and philosophy into a picture book that kids could grasp and enjoy." She has been entirely successful. The introduction sets the tone, introducing both George Washington and King George III, mentioning their differing views, and noting that every story has two sides. The remainder of the book presents these two sides on spreads that alternate between the man and the monarch, with comparisons of the American and British governmental forms, views on taxation, the Boston Tea Party, and coverage of most of the major battles of the Revolutionary War. True to the author's intent, both Georges come off as decent men, with the interests of their respective countries at heart. The illustrations are amazing. Almost Brueghelesque in their detail, they show the major players as they actually looked. Speech balloons reproduce the exact words of the speakers, with appended "Quote Sources." This is a lovely book, showing historical inquiry at its best: consideration of both sides, a sound research basis, attribution of sources, and interesting writing. Written at a higher level than Jean Fritz's Can't You Make Them Behave, King George? (Putnam, 1977), this book provides the perfect meld of instructional tool and general-interest reading.-Ann Welton, Grant Elementary School, Tacoma, WA Copyright 2004 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Rosalyn Schanzer
Rosalyn Schanzer is the award-winning author and illustrator of 15 books for young readers, including John Smith Escapes Again! and How We Crossed the West. She lives in Virginia.
Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9781426300424
Lexile Measure
1120
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
National Geographic Kids
Publication date
January 20, 2007
Series
-
BISAC categories
JNF025190 - Juvenile Nonfiction | History | United States/Colonial & Revolutionary
Library of Congress categories
-
Beehive Awards
Nominee 2007 - 2007
Young Hoosier Book Award
Nominee 2008 - 2008

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