Heroes Who Risked Everything for Freedom: Civil War (Ready-to-Read Level 3)

by Patricia Lakin, Valerio Fabbretti (Illustrator)

Get to know heroes of the Civil War in this fact-tastic, nonfiction Level 3 Ready-to-Read, part of a new series about the secrets of American History!

Secrets of American History is an action-packed nonfiction Level 3 Ready-to-Read series that lets beginning readers in on a little secret: history is full of surprises! Want to know what invisible ink has to do with the American Revolution? Or why shark repellant and inflatable army tanks were used in World War II? Find out in this fact-filled series of fascinating true tales, wild adventures, and spy missions, and discover the secret side of American history!

Did you know that Harriet Tubman was a spy for Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War? Or that Robert Smalls used secret hand signals to escape slavery on a Confederate ship? Mary Touvestre risked everything to bring plans for the first ironclad warship to the Union. Find out about heroes who spied, fought, and sailed to freedom in this book of amazing true stories!

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Picture Books, Childrens

48 pages, Paperback

Published October 3, 2017

Reviews

[Maura · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 6 year old son absolutely loves the Secrets of American History series, and Heroes Who Risked Everything for Freedom may be his favorite. The illustrations were wonderful and the background information on the war was just detailed enough to still be entertaining and interesting to a reader like my son who has done a lot of reading on the subject.

We especially loved the chapters on Mary Elizabeth Bowser (she and Elizabeth Van Lew are my favorite hero spies from the Civil War) and Robert Smalls. They each deserve their own Ready To Read books!

An excellent addition to any elementary library.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Ready to Read book explains in 4 color illustrated chapters how many folks used secrecy, spying, disguises, secret codes, ciphers, and laundry to give signals and pass messages that allowed the Union to win the war. Backmatter details more about some women who were spies and soldiers during the war, the progression of our flag, as well as a cipher wheel to use for readers' own ciphers. This is a great addition to any library section for the Civil War.

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! I learned several things I didn't know before, as well as being reminded of some stories I'd heard when I was younger.
I liked that the book was very clear on the evils of slavery, and made no excuses that "that's just what people did." That's what they did, sure, but it was wrong and the book says so.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This easy reader looking book is very long and very indepth but well worth the read. It deatils spies and others who worked undercover to help the Union side during the war. Great indepth stories that are easy to follow. elementary and up

[Jaymie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent, engaging look at Harriet Tubman and other historical figures who helped the North win the Civil War and helped set slaves free. I loved the narrative style to this - the tone will draw kids in. No dry facts and dates here. Check out the whole series!

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great stories about women spies in the Civil War.