The Scarlet Stockings Spy (Tales of Young Americans)

by Trinka Hakes Noble

Other authorsRobert Papp (Illustrator)

Hardcover, 2004

Status

Available

Call number

378

Publication

Sleeping Bear Press (2004), Edition: Illustrated, 48 pages

Description

In 1777 Philadelphia, young Maddy Rose spies for General Washington's army by using an unusual code to communicate with her soldier brother.

User reviews

LibraryThing member awiltenburg

I enjoyed reading this book. It was a tale told with wonderful alliterations and beautiful pictures. I thought it would be light at heart, but it was a good mix of light, serious, and triumphant. Maddy Rose was loyal to her country, diligent in putting out the code to mark the boats in the harbor.

The ending was a great way to sum up the book. This book would be excellent for the advanced 4th grader and definitely 5th+ grades.

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LibraryThing member kyaffee

o This book is the story of a girl who is a spy during the American Revolution. Through a certain code she alerts her brother which ships look suspicious in the harbor. The book incorporates many historical events. It mentions the Boston Tea Party, and the sewing of the American flag. It also

addresses what colonial life would be like during this time as the protagonist of the book walks through the town. In addition to the historical parts of this book it has great language usage. In the beginning there are a variety of similes. There is also use of sound words which add to the story.

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LibraryThing member AbigailAdams26

As the threat of a British offensive looms over Philadelphia in 1777, young Maddy Rose, whose father had died fighting for the American cause in the Battle of Princeton, does her part for the patriots, keeping watch on the harbor, and "reporting" her findings on her laundry-line. Building upon the

game she and her older brother Jonathan, off with General Washington and his troops outside of the city, used to play, she uses a code to alert him to the kind of ships currently docked at the harbor. But after battle is engaged at Brandywine Creek, Jonathan fails to show up at his usual time...

A work of historical fiction for younger picture-book readers, The Scarlet Stockings Spy, part of Sleeping Bear Press's Tales of Young Americans series, seems inspired by the life of author Trinka Hakes Noble's own Revolutionary War-era ancestor, who was with General Washington's army during this period. It is a poignant reminder of the cost of war, and the sacrifices made for American freedom and statehood. The language veers occasionally into the histrionic (Maddy Rose sews "tears of grief and the clenched fist of defiance" into her flag), and the artwork wasn't really to my taste (a little too "photographic" for me), but even so, this was still a solidly engaging work about an important moment in history. Recommended to picture-book readers who are interested in the American Revolution, and enjoy historical fiction.

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LibraryThing member GSoto95

Summary
The Scarlet Stockings Spy is about a young girl in Philadelphia during the time of the American Revolutionary War named Maddy Rose. She acts as a rebel for Washington’s forces, relaying the order of boats in the harbor that are friendly or enemies using a code on her clothesline. Her

brother originally reads her code, before he is killed in battle and someone else is sent in his place. At the end of the book, Maddy uses her scarlet stockings—her prized possession and a way of showing her as a rebel—and her brother’s blue coat to make an American flag.
Personal Reaction
I liked this book although it was a tough read if you’re reading too fast. It’s a good one to help show history on the American Revolution in a way that kids would enjoy.
Extension Ideas:
1) I can have students complete a worksheet over the reading, including some information from the American Revolution.
2) We can play a memory game based on the game Maddy Rose and her brother Johnathan play, Harbor Master.

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