Young Patriots Series
from Patria Press
Reviewed by Mary Leggewie
Updated 2008 by Martha Robinson
Purchase details: Young Patriots Series published by Patria Press. Hardback $15.95, paperback $9.95. Published by Patria Press. Please support HomeschoolChristian.com by buying these books from our Amazon affiliate link.
What a thrilling surprise to discover that Patria Press is reprinting some classic old titles that are so hard to find! As of this time, Patria Press has reprinted fourteen titles, formerly of the popular Childhood of Famous Americans series:
- Amelia Earhart Young Air Pioneer by Jane Moore Howe
- William Henry Harrison Young Tippecanoe by Howard Henry Peckham
- Lew Wallace, Boy Writer by Martha E. Schaaf
- Juliette Low, Girl Scout Founder by Helen Boyd Higgins
- James Whitcomb Riley, Young Poet by Minnie Belle Mitchell
- Eddie Rickenbacker, Boy Pilot and Racer by Kathryn Cleven Sisson
- Mahalia Jackson, Gospel Singer and Civil Rights Champion by Montrew Dunham
- George Rogers Clark, Boy of the Northwest Frontier by Katharine E. Wilkie
- John Hancock, Independent Boy by Kathryn Ciepen Sisson
- Phyllis Wheatley, Young Revolutionary Poet by Kathryn Kilby Borland and Helen Ross Speicher
- Abner Doubleday, Boy Baseball Pioneer By Montrew Dunham
- John Audubon, Young Naturalist by Miriam E. Mason
- Frederick Douglass, Young Defender of Human Rights by Elisabeth P. Myers
- Alexander Hamilton, Young Statesman by Helen Boyd Higgins
These books have delighted countless numbers of readers of all ages for many years. While written on an elementary school grade level, even my oldest child (now 15) enjoys listening to me read these at night as a read-aloud. My youngest has enjoyed these since kindergarten. I like to call these books "school in disguise;" the children learn history the painless and enjoyable way.
Each book starts off with the childhood of the hero of the book, and shows many of his trials, tribulations, and triumphs. Most of the books have a few chapters at the end which portray the hero as an adult, noting many of his accomplishments. A timeline is included of major events in the life of the hero.
Care has been taken to use the original text, although there has been some minor editing to update words that are no longer currently used. No historical events have been altered in any way.
The publisher has gone to great lengths to include beautiful artwork within each book, and the hardback bindings are of library quality and should last for many years (and many children and grandchildren). The quality of these books definitely justifies a slightly higher-than-usual price for mass-market books.
Lesson plans and on-line links for more information can be found on the Patria Press web site. They include discussion questions, activities, and other resources for further research.
Recommendation: These are favorites with my children. I intend to collect the entire set, and look forward to tossing out some of my old worn 1950's copies with these beautiful ones. Make history come alive for your children as it has for mine with the help of books like these. Kudos to Patria Press!
HomeschoolChristian.com resources related to this review:
HomeschoolChristian.com's History Section where you will find many "living" history resources!
Review of American history books by Lost Classics
Review of the Young American Patriots series of historical fiction
Review of the Promised Land Diaries series
Review of the Trailblazers series of historical fiction
Review of The Winged Watchman
Review of William & Catherine, The Life and Legacy of the Booths, Founders of the Salvation Army
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