Victory or Death!: Stories of the American Revolution

“Victory or Death!” by Rappaport and Verniero is a different approach to learning about the American Revolution. This story is a compilation of several true stories of people in the revolution. Some of them we know, like George Washington, for example. Most, however, are not household names.

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The book features men and women of different ages and backgrounds. For instance, it features the story of a sixteen-year-old girl who helped rally her father’s militia. This diversity is intentional.

This book seems most appropriate and accessible for a middle school audience. It is well-written and features maps and original illustrations. The stories are engaging enough to capture the attention of the students, yet include enough historical information to be a useful learning tool. I can see an application for this book in the classroom. The stories would be helpful in capturing the attention of the students and bringing them back to this extraordinary time period. The multicultural aspect of the stories has the attention to be especially appealing to the students. I would certainly consider utilizing this in supplement to a middle school unit on the American Revolution.

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