The World Turned Upside Down

February 1, 2022
Grades 5-8 This engaging, well-researched, and at times suspenseful book explains the history of the American Revolution, focusing on the decisive battle at Yorktown, Virginia. It depicts the actions of Americans, British, and French figures on both sides of the fight. People profiled include General George Washington, the Marquis de Lafayette, British Generals Lord Charles Cornwallis and Sir Henry Clinton, traitor Benedict Arnold, and James, an enslaved man who spied on the British for Washington. It explains why many enslaved individuals joined the British side and fascinatingly details the great lengths Washington and the French took to deceive the British, like building fake ovens to make it seem like the patriots were planning a water assault on New York City or Staten Island. The text is supplemented with eye-catching pages of red and blue font, ivory-colored pages, plentiful archival illustrations, paintings, letters, broadsides, an epilogue, a list of places to visit, a time line, an author's note, a glossary, source notes, a bibliography, and an index. History enthusiasts and those interested in freedom struggles will enjoy this.

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March 1, 2022

Gr 5 Up-Grove's history of the final military conflict of the Revolutionary War is told from many viewpoints. Ranging from commanding officers (George Washington, Marquis de Lafayette, Charles Cornwallis) to a enslaved-person-turned-spy (James Armistead Lafayette), the voices weave together the war's final battle. The Battle of Yorktown, more appropriately termed the Siege of Yorktown, took place from September 28, 1781 to October 19, 1781. In order to place the titular event in context, Grove delves deeply into the entire Revolutionary War. The 200-plus page lead-up seems like an incredibly long (but necessary) introduction. The entire work is well written and expertly illustrated with maps, paintings, letters, broadsides, diary entries, and other primary sources. The author uses much of this evidence to show how victory was not possible without French military assistance. He also makes particular effort to illustrate the precarious and unjust treatment of Black soldiers and enslaved people. Many enslaved people fled to the British hoping a British victory would mean their freedom; at Yorktown, many Black soldiers were left behind when the British retreated. Ultimately, the British defeat meant those enslaved who had hoped that "all men are created equal" included Black men, women, and children, were returned to slave owners. Black soldiers risked their lives for the cause of freedom that was only enjoyed by their oppressors. The title of the work is drawn from popular (but not universally verifiable) folklore that the British played this namesake song during the surrender. VERDICT Exceptionally well done and very detailed, this might be a better purchase for a school library, unless a public library needs comprehensive Revolutionary War materials.-Lisa Crandall

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