The Database Of All The Reviews

Dangerous Crossing: The Revolutionary Journey of John Quincy Adams
Stephen Krensky
Illustrated by Greg Harlin
Non-fiction Picture Book
Ages 6 to 8
Penguin, 2005, 0-525-46966-4
  Johnny Adams is going on a real journey with his father. He is not just going on a trip outside Massachusetts, but he is also leaving America, and he is doing so in secret. America is at war with England and it is hoped that John Adams, Johnny’s “calm and thoughtful” father will be able to get help for the “rebel” side from the French.
  Johnny and his father are making this vital journey in mid-winter, when the temper of the Atlantic is particularly uncertain and it isn’t long before Johnny is feeling the effects of the rolling waves and high winds.
  When things calm down at last, Johnny and his father go on deck. It isn’t long before three ships are seen in the distance. Though Mr. Adams would prefer to head away from trouble, the other men sailing on the Boston are keen to investigate. Unfortunately Mr. Adams’ fears were warranted, the three ships are English frigates and the odds of three English ships to one American do not make him feel confident.
  With calm understatement typical of John Adams’ own writing style, Stephen Krensky, describes how the valiant Boston fights against dreadful storms, how it survived being blown off course, being severely damaged, and being threatened by the cannon of another ship.
  To write this book the author drew on the words written in John Adams’ meticulously written diary and it is therefore a wonderfully accurate account of the great man’s adventures on the high seas. It is made all the more exciting and accessible because it is written through the eyes of a young boy who is going on his first real voyage away from home. Beautiful watercolor paintings bring the adventure to life and an author’s note at the back of the book provides further information about John Adams and his son – who would one day become the sixth president of the United States.
 

An Online Children’s Book Review Journal

Through The Looking Glass Children’s Book Reviews

Online book reviews for the child in your life featuring both new and popular children's book authors

Kids book reviews, including book reviews of chapter books, novels, picture books, and non-fiction from famous children’s literature authors. Your review site of books for children.

Welcome to Through the Looking Glass Book Reviews. We have moved! Please visit the new site at www.lookingglassreview.com to enjoy the new website.