Betsy Ross
Reviews
Betsy Ross
Jan Mader
When I went to school, we all learned that Betsy Ross made the first American flag. Now in this early reader, kids learn that it may only be a legend and that no one knows who really made the first flag with its thirteen stripes and thirteen gold stars. What is interesting is Betsy Ross, a formidable woman, who married three times, had seven children and ran her own business. She was truly remarkable for her time. There is a short timeline that runs along the bottom of the pages that shows some of the milestones in Betsy’s life. She also lived to the really ripe old age of 84 which in the early days of our country was also quite a feat. The book is illustrated with period illustrations and photographs that show Betsy’s shop and her gravestone. An interesting book for those who have just started reading on their own and part of the “First Biographies” series. 2007, Pebble/Capstone Press, Ages 5 to 7, $15.93. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-7368-6702-3
ISBN: 0-7368-6702-3
ISBN: 978-0-7368-7842-5
ISBN: 0-7368-7842-4
Betsy Ross
Jane Duden
Although most school children are taught that Betsy Ross designed and sewed the first American flag under the guidance of George Washington, this text, an addition to the "Let Freedom Ring" series, examines, in part, whether or not the legend is true. Although some doubt is cast upon the accuracy of the tale, the text celebrates Betsy Ross as a freethinking woman and patriot. We learn how she left her family's church in order to marry the man she loved, opened her own store in a time when men were typically the business owners, nursed ailing soldiers back to health during the Revolutionary War, and sewed flags to support the military cause. Readers learn not only about Betsy Ross but also about the historical context in which she lived. Perhaps because a limited amount of information about Betsy Ross and her life is known, some details seem irrelevant and unnecessary. A discussion of her chamber pot and the cleaning of its contents as well as a note about Betsy's Ross' likeness on a Pez dispenser have found their way into an otherwise informative text. As with other books in this series, Ross' story is enhanced by photographs, drawings, and maps throughout. For the traveling student, addresses of key locales, including the Betsy Ross house in Philadelphia, are provided. Discussions of history--how it is recorded, by whom, and the implications of the choices made--would be enhanced through the reading of this text. 2002, Bridgestone/Capstone Press, Ages 8 to 16, $22.60. Reviewer: Wendy Glenn
ISBN: 0-7368-1036-6
Betsy Ross
Connie Roop and Peter Roop
Not being a history buff myself, I thought that I would not enjoy this book; well was I wrong. Part of the "In Their Own Words" series, Betsy Ross, is an amazingly well written book. Easy to understand and creating curiosity with every word and every page, this book is one of the best biographies that I have ever read. The book proves that Betsy Ross was a key figure in making America what it is today. One can learn of her perseverance and her amazing will that allowed her to stay strong after the many misfortunes she faced throughout her life. After reading this book and learning more about Betsy Ross, I feel as though she is one of the best advocates for feminism to this day. Not only was Betsy the first flag-maker of America, but also she was a dedicated businesswomen, patriot, and loyal mother and wife. This work is unique in the fact that it is filled with primary sources (i.e. letters, speeches, and accounts from Betsy Ross' family). A key book for anyone who has a report to do on an important American or America in general. Or it is a good book for someone just looking for a good and informative read. A chronology, an index, and further reading sections are included. Highly recommended. 2001, Scholastic, Ages 8 to 12, $4.50. Reviewer: Jayme Derbyshire
ISBN: 0-439-26321-2
Betsy Ross: A Flag for a New Nation
Vicki Cox
Chelsea House’s series “Leaders of the American Revolution” includes the life of Betsy Ross (1752-1836) and the tradition (originating in Ross’s family) of the Philadelphia upholsterer sewing the first national flag--Cox presents arguments both for and against its authenticity. Ross lived in a city figuring prominently in the birth of our nation and, as an upholsterer and flag-maker, might have sewed at least one of the early flags (she definitely made some naval flags). Truth or legend, her story can be useful to illuminate experiences of Philadelphia’s ordinary citizens during the Revolution. Young historians will discover something of the austere Quaker way of life and religion, and find that, interestingly, Betsy had a mind of her own, marrying a non-Quaker in spite of a taboo by her church. The author takes readers through the major events of the war, often from the perspective of Philadelphians, offering lively sketches of delegates to the Continental Congress like Washington, Franklin, Jefferson, and John Adams and describing hardships during the British occupation as well as the yellow fever epidemic after the war. Several sidebars present flag lore, while the pictures, though not plentiful, are reasonably interesting. Simple sentences (with some regrettable careless grammar) and large print make this volume accessible to middle readers and less sophisticated teen readers. Special features are quizzes after each chapter (not very useful), a timeline, a chronology of Ross’s long life, and a bibliography of books designed mostly for young readers. 2006, Chelsea House, $30.00. Ages 10 to 16. Reviewer: Barbara L. Talcroft (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-7910-8618-6
ISBN: 978-0-7910-8618-6
Betsy Ross: American Patriot
Susan Martins Miller
Betsy Ross was a woman worth knowing even if she hadn't been involved with designing the American flag. Although that fact has never been fully substantiated, there is no doubt that she did make flags for the patriots in her upholstery shop. Born into a Quaker family, Betsy was read out of the faith when she married Anglican John Ross. He was also a patriot and unfortunately died while defending ammunition stores. Betsy suffered through hard times during the Revolutionary War and eventually met and married John Ashburn, a patriot privateer who died in a British prison. She married a third time, raised a large family, and continued to support herself and her family through her upholstery business and died at the age of eighty-four. 2000, Chelsea House, Ages 8 up, $16.95 and $8.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-7910-5360-1
Betsy Ross: Patriot
Vicky Franchino
Betsy Ross, born Elizabeth Griscom, is generally credited with sewing the first flag of the United States in 1776. The eighth of seventeen children in a Philadelphia Quaker family, Betsy was a talented seamstress who was trained in the trade of upholstery. Widowed shortly after her marriage to John Ross, she continued to run their upholstery shop after his death. Because she was known to George Washington at the time, was proven to have made other flags, and because of the story (often repeated by Betsy to her descendents) of making the flag, she is believed to have sewn the first flag of the newly formed country. There remains no absolute proof that she did so, however. This brief biography chronicles Betsy's life and includes informative sidebars about Flag Day, the Betsy Ross house, and rules for flying the flag appropriately. Photographs and period illustrations appear on every page. The book also includes a timeline, a glossary, an index, a short list of references, and places to visit. The only Web site mentioned is the publisher's Web page that then links to three Betsy Ross sites. The publisher promises to keep the links list up to date. If so, this would be an improvement over links included in the text of a book, which have the potential to quickly become outdated. This interesting book, one of the series "Our People," is a welcome addition to the rather limited field of lower reading level biographies. 2003, Child's World, Ages 8 to 12, $27.07. Reviewer: Leslie Rounds
ISBN: 1-56766-169-6
Betsy Ross and the American Flag
Kay Melchisedech Olsoni
Illustrated by Anna Maria Cool, Sam Delarosa, and Charles Barnett III
Did you know Betsy Ross was a Quaker and outlived three husbands? Did you know Betsy Ross was not allowed to associate with other Quakers--including her own parents and family--because she married a non-Quaker? Did you know that the story of Betsy making the first flag comes from Betsy’s grandson and an old five-pointed star? Betsy supposedly created a five-pointed star rather than the six-pointed one given to her. There is no historical data, no written record, no genuine bill of sale, and no receipt. This historical story, written in color comic-book form’ is part of the Capstone “Graphic Library” series. Teachers and parents would appreciate the book’s format because of its appeal to nonreaders. It also has controlled vocabulary, short and direct sentence structure, photo-matching text to aid comprehension, chapter headings, and straightforward information. 2005, Capstone Press, $25.26. Ages 8 to 15. Reviewer: Charlotte M. Krall (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-7368-4962-9
ISBN: 978-0-7368-4962-3
Betsy Ross’s Star
Stacia Deutsch and Rhody Cohon
Illustrated by Guy Francis
When I went to school, we all learned that Betsy Ross made the first American flag. The “Blast to the Past” series like the “Magic Tree House” series transports kids to different times in history so they can learn what really happened. In this case the four time travelers have a real difference of opinion. Bo strongly believes that Betsy’s making of the first flag is only a legend and that no one knows who really made the first flag with its thirteen stripes and thirteen stars. There is even a very famous signer of the Declaration of Independence who claims that he designed the flag and even submitted a bill to Congress for payment. There is also a villain in this time travel tale—Babs Magee, who has escaped into the past and wants to claim credit for creating the flag. Will the kids find out the truth in the time allotted. Will William Canby give his speech about his grandmother, will the four friends ever stop squabbling and become a team again? It is a quick read, but it will make kids stop and think about history, how research is undertaken, and how sometimes legends do indeed become the fabric of our history--and that it is not all that bad. 2007, Aladdin/Simon & Schuster, Ages 7 to 9, $15.93. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 978-1-4169-3388-5
ISBN: 1-4169-3388-3
Updated 05/16/08
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