A 13-year-old girl named Betsy Zane won the last battle of the American Revolution—the battle of Fort Henry in September of 1782. Upon the death of her grandmother, Betsy left Philadelphia and all her family’s inheritance to return to the Virginia wilderness. Three of her brothers—Eb, Silas, and Jonathan—were already there, fighting off “savages” and British marauders. With the help of the Crofter family—runaway slaves of Scottish origin—she reaches her brothers only to receive an icy reception. Only Isaac, who has married a Wyandot Princess and is caught between life as a white man and a Shawnee, understands Betsy’s need to live an independent life. When war finally arrives at their doorstep, every man, woman, and child finds shelter at Fort Henry. In sum, there are only 45 defenders to fight against 260 warriors and 40 Queen’s Rangers. The odds are poor, but the Zanes refuse to surrender the fort and it’s Betsy who insists upon running 40 yards to a blockhouse in order to obtain needed gunpowder. This courageous tale weaves in historical data from 17 sources, heightening the senses with details that bring each action to life. The rose, which is brought from Philadelphia to Virginia and survives, mirrors Betsy Zane’s fiercely independent personality and desire to make her own way in the world. A real winner in every sense of the word. (extensive afterword, sources) (Fiction. 10-14)
Pub Date: Sept. 18, 2000
ISBN: 0-395-97899-8
Page Count: 175
Publisher: Clarion Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2000
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An outstanding new edition of this popular modern classic (Newbery Award, 1961), with an introduction by Zena Sutherland and...
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1990
ISBN: 0-395-53680-4
Page Count: -
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2000
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Navigating this stunning novel requires thought and concentration, but it’s well worth the effort.
Returning to themes she explored so affectingly in Moon Over Manifest (2011), Newbery Medalist Vanderpool delivers another winning picaresque about memories, personal journeys, interconnectedness—and the power of stories.
Thirteen-year-old Jack enters boarding school in Maine after his mother’s death at the end of World War II. He quickly befriends Early Auden, a savant whose extraordinary facility with numbers allows him to “read” a story about “Pi” from the infinite series of digits that follow 3.14. Jack accompanies Early in one of the school crew team’s rowing boats on what Jack believes is his friend’s fruitless quest to find a great bear allegedly roaming the wilderness—and Early’s brother, a legendary figure reportedly killed in battle. En route, Early spins out Pi’s evolving saga, and the boys encounter memorable individuals and adventures that uncannily parallel those in the stories. Vanderpool ties all these details, characters, and Jack’s growing maturity and self-awareness together masterfully and poignantly, though humor and excitement leaven the weighty issues the author and Jack frequently pose. Some exploits may strain credulity; Jack’s self-awareness often seems beyond his years, and there are coincidences that may seem too convenient. It’s all of a piece with Vanderpool’s craftsmanship. Her tapestry is woven and finished off seamlessly. The ending is very moving, and there’s a lovely, last-page surprise that Jack doesn’t know but that readers will have been tipped off about.
Navigating this stunning novel requires thought and concentration, but it’s well worth the effort. (author’s note, with questions and answers, list of resources) (Historical fiction. 10-14)Pub Date: Jan. 8, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-385-74209-2
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Delacorte
Review Posted Online: Oct. 30, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2012
BOOK REVIEW
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
