Ben's Revolution: Benjamin Russell and the Battle of Bunker Hill

By Nathaniel Philbrick

Book Overview

History comes alive in this gripping account of a young boy caught up in the start of the Revolutionary War. Based on an episode in National Book Award-winning author Nathaniel Philbrick's New York Times bestseller Bunker Hill- A City, A Siege, A Revolution, this engrossing story allows readers to experience history from a child's perspective, and Wendell Minor's stunning paintings will transport readers back to the early days of the Revolutionary War. Benjamin Russell is in school on the morning of April 19th, 1775, when his teacher announces, "The war's begun, and you may run!" Ben knew this day was coming; after all, tensions had been mounting between the colonists and the British troops ever since the Boston Tea Party. And now they have finally reached the breaking point. Ben and his friends excitedly rush out of their classroom to bear witness, and follow the throngs of redcoats marching out of Boston toward Concord. Much to Ben's surprise, Boston is sealed off later that day-leaving the boys stuck outside the city, in the middle of a war, with no way to reach their families. But Ben isn't worried-he's eager to help the Patriots! He soon becomes a clerk to the jovial Israel Putnam, a general in the provincial army. For months he watches the militia grow into an organized army, and when the Battle of Bunker Hill erupts, Ben is awed by the bravery of the Patriots, although saddened by the toll war takes. He later goes on to become an apprentice at a Revolutionary newspaper, and it's a happy day when they get to report on the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Praise for Bunker Hill- A City, A Siege, A Revolution "Philbrick guides us beautifully through Revolutionary Boston, with the Battle of Bunker Hill as his story's grand climax." - The New York Times Book Review "Masterly narrative... Philbrick tells the complex story superbly... gripping book."- The Wall Street Journal "A masterpiece of narrative and perspective.... This is not only... the greatest American story. It is also the American story."- The Boston Globe "You will delight in the story and the multitude of details Philbrick offers up."- USA Today

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399166742
• ISBN13: 9780399166747
• Release Date: May 2017
• Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
• Length: 64 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 7.2" x 9.1"
• Age Range: 7 to 9 years
• Grade Range: Grades 2 to 4

Customer Reviews

I cannot say enough good about this book!! Excellent living book!!!!

Meet Benjamin Russell. He and his friends run out for a time of play in the countryside and get trapped by the Redcoats attack on Concord. He follows as the patriots drive the Redcoats from their land and back to Boston. This is a most excellent book of the Revolutionary War, specifically the Battle of Bunker Hill, from a young boy’s view...One of the best I have ever read. The illustrations are magnificent and the story line is amazingly written! You will not regret owning this book. This is a gem to be handed down through the years and should be a part of each American boy’s library. Our entire family has read this book together more than once and we will surely read it again and again!!