Jim Murphy

   At a recent conference, Jim Murphy related a story about the challenge to get boys reading. When he finished An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793, he asked his two sons to take a look at it. The younger one glanced at the pictures. Weeks went by and still his older son had not read the book. He offered him $10 to read it and then upped it to $20. Still, Jim could not entice his son to read the book and his son never collected the twenty. The title of the conference at Shenandoah where Jim was speaking was “Reading…It’s a Guy Thing: Hooking Boys on Books” and he wryly remarked that “He was obviously not one to give advice.”

   That aside, Jim did relate an entertaining story about how he started reading. At the tender age of six he was taken to the library to see the books. Hardly any were illustrated and they had yucky bindings. He read books to do reports, but his real love was drawing. Jim told us that he actually learned to read by mistake. His father, who refinished furniture, made a bookcase and was offered $150 for it, but felt it was worth more. His parents put the bookcase in Jim’s room and soon there were a variety of books in the case. People started asking Jim what they were about so of course he had to read them. After about twenty books, he was hooked on reading.

   As an adult Jim tried his hand at writing and the topics were not really exciting--sports, car racing and the history of tractors. These were not grabbers and not surprisingly didn’t sell. However, his father remarked that his tractor book might be a big hit in Russia. A bit crushed, Jim stopped serious writing for about six months and began to jot down random thoughts and sentences. Also, he continued to read and came upon a book that described kids who fought in the Civil War (this was before Ken Burns). The book was well written, humorous and concise. He was bitten by the bug and had to learn more about the Civil War. It turned out that quite a few of the underage kids who were part of the war left written records.

   Boys went into he war with high expectations, and then they learned how awful war was. His book The Boys War: Confederate and Union Soldiers Talk about the Civil War was eventually published after seven years of research and writing. Jim told his audience that he owns a significant number of books that he uses for his research, and that he truly loves the research part of his work. Actually he likes undertaking research more than the actual writing which is really hard work. On his visits to libraries and historical societies, Jim noted that he finds the staff always helpful. He remarked on the special assistance that he was given by the Curator at The Library Company of Philadelphia who specialized in matters relating to the African American community in Philadelphia during the Plague. It was through his eyes that Jim saw how history had changed and he wanted to write a book that told the real story.

   Jim meticulously studies maps to get the information about the streets right. He reads children’s history books, and he writes notes in the books that he owns and also uses post-it notes to mark important information. A core of books sit next to him whenever he writes. Jim relies on his memory to find a quote –it might take an hour to track it down but he eventually finds it. Having worked as an editor, Jim is particularly hard on himself after creating a first draft—he works to get the pacing just right and he goes through numerous rewrites. When his publisher ran a Lexile on one of his books it came out at the college level, but that does not mean he is going to change his style or write down to young readers. Rather, he strives to clarify and simplify and uses the situation to help get the meaning across and carefully chooses the words to describe situations and emotions in ways that young readers will understand. To him, the disease in Philadelphia became a “stalking thing” almost like a person and you feel that way when you read his account.

   Jim remarked that he truly connected with Robert Louis Stevenson. Because Fanny, the woman Stevenson loved was dying--he undertook an ocean voyage to the U.S. and then boarded an immigrant train to cross the country. Later Stevenson, on the verge of death himself, ended up being cared for by his big love Fanny. How could Jim make this into a book that would grab readers. He needed action like a cannon blowing up, shooting bison from the train, a train accident and an account of the awful living conditions on the train. His goal was to give readers enough information that they felt as though they were traveling with the protagonist. Across America on an Emigrant Train was the result and its success can easily be seen given the number of awards that it has won.

   Historical contingencies as defined by Jim consist of great events happen because of big and small incidents, people and chance. Jim likes to present a topic and get kids into it. In A Savage Thunder: Antietam And The Bloody Road To Freedom, published this year, Jim presents a battle of miscalculations and missed opportunities. Lee wants to move out of Virginia and head north to feed his men. He split his army into three parts and sent a large group to Harpers Ferry. McClellan learned that Lee had split his army and that only 14,000 men were at Antietam. McClellan had 60,000 troops but he was too cautions, and Lee outsmarted him by shifting troops. Lee was fleeing when the troops from Harpers Ferry arrived. It was a battle that changed the course of history. According to one reviewer “vainglorious McClellan, whose inadequate intelligence and low regard for his commander-in-chief led him to botch the campaign and arguably to prolong the war.”

   Truce is Jim’s latest book, and it is the fascinating story of the Christmas truce of 1914 during World War I. (See the review below).

   What does the future hold? Jim and his wife are collaborating on a book about the history of Tuberculosis. Again, they are working to find a way to develop plenty of kid appeal. Jim remarked that, 2010 is an anniversary year--the celebration of George Washington’s first year as commander in chief. There has to be a book there.

   As for his entrée into the publishing world, Jim grew up in Carney, New Jersey and although he tried to find a job in publishing, the big drawback was that he couldn’t type. Jim worked construction in New York City and eventually was hired by Jim Giblin at Clarion Books and worked at Clarion as a managing editor for more than six years. Now, Jim works as a freelancers and enjoys it immensely. He doesn’t see retirement any time soon, and given the quality of his books, I for one hope he doesn’t retire any time soon.

Contributor: Marilyn Courtot

Reviews

Across America on an Emigrant Train
Jim Murphy
   Through the eyes of Robert Louis Stevenson, one experiences the weariness and cramped, unsanitary quarters that he shared with other emigrants as they traveled across America. But one also feels the excitement of new hope and the lure of the west that is captured in Stevenson's personal account. Jim Murphy's award winning book weaves historical details, lots of photographs and line drawings into this familiar story of the transcontinental railroad. Remarkable pictures show the contributions of the railroad workers who tunneled and laid track on dangerous terrain. Although not mentioned by Stevenson, the building of the railroads and the wholesale slaughter of the bison were instrumental in forcing the Indians onto reservations. Also troubling to Stevenson was the prejudice toward Native Americans, Blacks and Chinese that he observed. ALA Notable Books for Children and SLJ Best Book. 1993, Clarion, $16.95. Ages 9 up. Reviewer: Leila Toledo (Children's Literature).

• Best Books:
  • Booklist Book Review Stars, Dec. 1, 1993; United States
  • Books for You: An Annotated Booklist for Senior High, Twelfth Edition, 1995; National Council of Teachers of English; United States
  • Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States
  • Children's Catalog, Nineteenth Edition, 2006; H.W. Wilson; United States
  • Editors' Choice: Books for Youth, 1993; American Library Association-Booklist; United States
  • High Interest-Easy Reading, 1996; National Council of Teachers of English; United States
  • Kirkus Book Review Stars, 1993; United States
  • Lasting Connections, 1993; American Library Association; United States
  • Middle And Junior High School Library Catalog, Eighth Edition, 2000; H.W. Wilson; United States
  • Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Ninth Edition, 2005; H.W. Wilson; United States
  • Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts, 1994; National Council of Teachers of English; United States
  • Notable Children's Books, 1994; Association for Library Service to Children; United States
  • Notable Children's Trade Books in the Field of the Social Studies, 1993; National Council for the Social Studies NCSS; United States
  • School Library Journal: Best Books, 1993; Cahners; United States
• State and Provincial Reading Lists:
  • Maine Student Book Award, 1994-1995; Nominee; Maine
  • South Carolina Book Awards, 1996; Nominee; Junior Book; South Carolina
  • Utah Children's Book Awards, 1995; Nominee; Informational; Utah

ISBN: 0-395-63390-7
ISBN: 978-0-395-63390-8

An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of The Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793
Jim Murphy
   People are dying horribly, others are fleeing the city, the government is shut down, food is scarce, doctors (and gravediggers) are few--Philadelphia, America's largest city, is in the grip of a yellow fever epidemic. From August to November of 1793 the fever would rage, killing nearly five thousand citizens and causing infinite controversy. As the city ground to a halt, heroes were few, the most notable being the mayor--a prominent doctor--and above all, the leaders and members of the Free Black Society, asked to help since doctors believed they had immunity to the fever. Although this immunity proved untrue, elders Absalom Jones and Richard Allen mobilized an army of dedicated black nurses and caretakers who served in spite of little gratitude. Award-winning author Murphy (Newbery Honor, Golden Kite, Orbis Pictus) tells this fascinating story of the epidemic in clear, lively prose, hard to put down once begun. From the heavy brown end papers to Murphy's exceptional annotated bibliography, the entire book is beautifully produced. Carefully chosen illustrations are all reproductions of prints and engravings from the period, while pages from a contemporary newspaper or from a list of Philadelpia's dead preface each chapter. The final section deals with other epidemics of yellow fever, the cause or which was not discovered till 1900 and for which, frighteningly, there is today no available vaccine and still no cure. This outstanding informational book provides, in addition to an engrossing re-creation of the past, both warnings and signposts for the future. A must for all libraries! 2003, Clarion, $17.00. Ages 11 up. Reviewer: Barbara L. Talcroft (Children's Literature).

   All was not right" in the summer of 1793 in the city of Philadelphia. It was hot, and the city stank more than usual. At that time hygiene was in its infancy, as were many aspects of medicine. When yellow fever struck the city and began to kill more and more people with each passing day, panic ensued. Those who could afford to fled the city, including the first president of the young republic, George Washington. There were many who could not flee, and for them, the next few months were a living hell. Jim Murphy has once again created a masterful, impeccably researched book that both enthralls and horrifies the reader. It is hard to imagine disinfecting a house by burning gunpowder and by bathing everything in vinegar. Even worse was being dosed with mercury if one was unfortunate enough to get sick. One of the truly wonderful things about this book is that, as with Murphy's other books, he strives to tell the whole story. We read about the selflessness of members of the black community who courageously tended the sick and buried the dead when no one else would. Their story is told in its entirety as is that of the remarkable mayor of Philadelphia, Matthew Clarkson, who would not allow his city to die. The people in Philadelphia and its environs at that awful time are brought to life through Murphy's skill as a writer. Included are illustrations, portraits of key players in the events described, and newspaper pages from the times, providing the reader with an opportunity to read the very words of those experiencing the plague first hand. The reader will find suggestions on how to avoid getting the plague, and even worse, suggestions on what to do if one gets it. All in all, this is a wonderful book for anyone interested in history and in the ways of people. Readers may also enjoy some of Murphy's other books including The Great Fire, Across America on an Emigrant Train, and Blizzard. 2003, Clarion Books, $17.00. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Marya Jansen-Gruber (Children's Literature).

• Best Books:
  • Best Books for Young Adults, 2004; American Library Association-YALSA; United States
  • Best Children's Books of the Year, 2004; Bank Street College of Education; United States
  • Bulletin Blue Ribbons, 2003; Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books; United States
  • Capitol Choices, 2004; The Capitol Choices Committee; United States
  • Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, Supplement, 2004; H.W. Wilson; United States
  • Children's Catalog, Nineteenth Edition, 2006; H.W. Wilson; United States
  • Children's Literature Choice List, 2004; Children's Literature; United States
  • Choices, 2004; Cooperative Children's Book Center; United States
  • Great Middle School Reads, 2004; ALSC American Library Association; United States
  • Kirkus Book Review Stars, April 1, 2003; United States
  • Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Ninth Edition, 2005; H.W. Wilson; United States
  • Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to the Eighth Edition, 2004, 2004; H.W. Wilson; United States
  • Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts, 2004; NCTE Children's Literature Assembly; United States
  • Notable Children's Books, 2004; American Library Association-ALSC; United States
  • Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 2004; National Council for the Social Studies; United States
  • Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12, 2005; National Science Teachers Association; United States
  • School Library Journal Book Review Stars, June 2003; Cahners; United States
  • School Library Journal: Best Books, 2003; Cahners; United States
  • Top 10 Sci-Tech Books for Youth, 2003; American Library Association-Booklist; United States
• Awards, Honors, Prizes:
  • Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Excellence in Children's Literature, 2004 Winner Nonfiction United States
  • James Madison Book Award, 2004 Winner United States
  • John Newbery Medal, 2004 Honor Book United States
  • National Book Awards , 2003 Finalist Young People's Literature United States
  • Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children, 2004 Winner United States
  • Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal, 2004 Winner United States
• State and Provincial Reading Lists:
  • Garden State Teen Book Award, 2006; Nominee; Non-Fiction-Grades 6-12; New Jersey
  • William Allen White Children's Book Award, 2005-2006; Nominee; Grades 6-8; Kansas
  • Young Hoosier Book Award, 2006-2007; Nominee; Middle Grades; Indiana

ISBN: 0-395-77608-2
ISBN: 978-0-395-77608-7

The Boy's War
Jim Murphy
   It has been estimated that between 10 and 20 percent of all soldiers in the Civil War were under 16 years of age--some 250,000 to 420,000 of them. In his remarkable account, Mr. Murphy traces the war's progress from the youngsters' perspectives, interweaving his narrative with excerpts from their diaries, letters, and journal. The eager enlistees' evolution to disillusioned, battle-scarred, and weary survivors is powerfully dramatized by the stark, sepia photographs, particularly those of battlefields littered with the dead. This is an invaluable resource for any discussion of war--today's or yesterdays'. 1990, Clarion, $15.95 and $7.95. Ages 8 to 14. Reviewer: Dr. Beverly Kobrin (Children's Literature).

• Best Books:
  • Best Books for Youth, 1992; American Library Association-YALSA; United States
  • Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States
  • Children's Catalog, Nineteenth Edition, 2006; H.W. Wilson; United States
  • Middle And Junior High School Library Catalog, Eighth Edition, 2000; H.W. Wilson; United States
  • Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Ninth Edition, 2005; H.W. Wilson; United States
  • Senior High Core Collection, Seventeenth Edition, 2007; The H. W. Wilson Co.; United States
• Awards, Honors, Prizes:
  • Beacon of Freedom Award, 2002 Nominee United States
• State and Provincial Reading Lists:
  • South Carolina Book Awards, 1993; Nominee; Junior Book; South Carolina
  • William Allen White Children's Book Award, 1992-1993; Nominee; Kansas

ISBN: 0899198937
ISBN: 9780899198934

A Savage Thunder: Antietam and the Bloody Road to Freedom
Jim Murphy
   “The bloodiest day in American history” … the Battle of Antietam, September 16-17, 1862. Author Jim Murphy provides in-depth details of the happenings before, during, and after this critical battle of the Civil War, while also making it come alive for young and old readers alike. In late 1862 the Confederate army, led by General Robert E. Lee, launched its first invasion of the north with hopes that this offensive action would draw European recognition and support for the Confederacy. The Confederate troops met the Union army, led by General George B. McClellan, at Antietam Creek near Sharpsburg, Maryland. By the time the battle ended, there were 23,000 casualties. As Murphy tells the story, he intersperses the well-researched text with phenomenal photos, first-person accounts from both soldiers and civilians, and maps of the troop movements. The book provides insights into Lee and McClellan as well as the ordinary soldiers involved. Murphy also gives some focus to both the African Americans involved in the battle (on both the Confederate and Union sides) as well as the 200-400 women soldiers. Teens and adults, as well as young readers, will find this book a helpful read about the battle of Antietam; it would also be useful in homeschooling or as an independent study project. 2009, Margaret K. McElderry Books/Simon & Schuster, Ages 8 to 12, $17.99. Reviewer: Lynn O’Connell (Children’s Literature).

• Best Books:
  • Booklist Book Review Stars , Aug. 1, 2009; United States
  • Kirkus Book Review Stars, June 15, 2009; United States
  • School Library Journal Book Review Stars, August 2009; Cahners; United States

ISBN: 0-689-87633-5
ISBN: 978-0-689-87633-2

Truce: The Day the Soldiers Stopped Fighting
Jim Murphy
   The quote on the opening page by Winston Churchill really sets the stage for this book as does the opposing photograph. What would happen if armies refused to fight and insisted on finding other means to settle disputes—indeed this words would certainly be a better place, but it never seems to happen. Murphy offers enough background to understand the political situation prior to the spark that ignited World War I, particularly the hubris and fears of various leaders, and once hostilities did erupt, the feeling of superiority on each side and the belief that this war would end quickly. It of course, did not and fighting dragged on for four long years with a horrific loss of life on both sides. Yet, there are incredible stories like this one which relates the Christmas truce of 1914. The wearied men voluntarily stopped the senseless killing on one of the most important holidays in the Christian religion. Both sides sang carols, and eventually crawled out of their trenches to meet each other, exchange gifts and recognize the insanity of the war. Murphy’s account is peppered with first person accounts which make the readers feel that he or she is there watching, listening and hoping for the best. The high command of course frowned on this fraternization and with great reluctance many of these soldiers were required to once again fight the fight. In his epilogue, Murphy reflects “At the very least the Christmas Truce of World War I demonstrated that the combatants were more alike than not. It may have been a small step toward peace on earth,…but it offered reassurance and hope that a kinder, humane spirit could prevail amid the horrible brutality of war.” A book not to be missed and one that belongs in any library or private collection. 2009, Scholastic, Ages 10 up, $19.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children’s Literature).

• Best Books:
  • Kirkus Book Review Stars, September 15, 2009; United States

ISBN: 978-0-545-13049-3
ISBN: 0-545-13049-2

Added 10/27/09

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