Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Nathan Hale: Revolutionary Spy
Illustrator: Cynthia Martin , Brent Schoonover
Nonfiction Graphic Novel Series
For ages 8 to 12
Capstone Press, 2006 ISBN: 0736861998
Nathan Hale and his brother Enoch grew up in Coventry, Connecticut. They grew up listening to the adults in their lives complaining about the British taxes that they were being forced to pay. Later, when he was a young man, Nathan became a teacher and he heard about the ever escalating problems between the English and the American colonists. Soon after fighting broke out between both sides in 1775 Nathan joined the American army and he was made a lieutenant.
Not long after, because of his excellent service, Nathan was chosen to serve in an elite unite known as Knowlton’s Rangers and when the need arose he volunteered to spy behind enemy lines for General George Washington. So in September of 1776 he headed for Long Island to gather information. Unfortunately Nathan was caught before he could leave and he confessed to being a spy. Refusing to swear loyalty to the King of England, Nathan was executed on September 22nd 1776.
This is an excellent account of the life of a young man who gave everything for his country. The author and illustrators of this book not only tell Nathan Hale’s interesting story but they also help readers to see what it must have been like to live through this fascinating and often highly dangerous time in American history. Fully illustrated throughout, this is a perfect title for readers who like books which are presented in a graphic novel type format.
