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Describes some of the well-known as well as the lesser-known details of Paul Revere's life and exciting ride.Tags
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themulhern Same topic, same age group, more or less. Fritz's is funnier, of course.
Member Reviews
Drily witty 48 page children's book about Paul Revere's life, with a focus on the famous ride, including all the events that happened after Revere's horse was confiscated by British troops somewhere between Lexington and Concord, and he was reduced to walking. Paul Revere had a busy life, as a courier, a maker of false teeth, and of many bells which can still be found all over New England. The illustrations from the older edition, by Margot Tomes, are excellent. My favorite illustration is the one of Paul Revere standing on the dock realizing he has forgotten his spurs. He is a picture of dejection. The title page illustration is taken from the portrait of Revere by John Singleton Copley. Outstanding execution from a well-matched team.
I remember having to read And Then What Happened Paul Revere? by Jean Fritz when I was in elementary school. It was one of a number of books we had to read when we were learning about Revere and his contemporaries. While the book did teach me a great deal about the life of Revere I found it's saccharine cheerfulness to be unsettling especially at times when the book is covering the number of deaths in the revere family (especially those of Revere's young siblings, many of whom died as children or infants).
Now as an adult going back and rereading this book I found the disjoint between the serious subject matter and the almost comic book style of art unnerving. History books can be interesting to children without having them always show more completely upbeat. Paul Revere was an important historical figure but he is not a superhero! show less
Now as an adult going back and rereading this book I found the disjoint between the serious subject matter and the almost comic book style of art unnerving. History books can be interesting to children without having them always show more completely upbeat. Paul Revere was an important historical figure but he is not a superhero! show less
In my opinion this is a great book on Paul Revere. The language used throughout this book is so descriptive the reader feels as if they have traveled back in time and are visiting with Paul. On page 5, the author describes Boston as having 42 streets, 36 lanes, 22 alleys, 1,000 brick houses, 2,000 wooden houses, and a lot of 10 inch dogs. This description paints a picture in the readers mind of what Boston looked like back in the day. Being able to paint a picture in your mind shows that you are comprehending what you are reading.
Another aspect of the book is that the writing is so well organized that the information flows smoothly throughout the book. The reader is able to follow along as the author tells Paul Revere's story. Each show more fact that is shared has some type of background knowledge afterward to help the reader comprehend the information being shared. "To make extra money, he took a job ringing the bells in Christ Church. In Boston, church bells were rung not just on Sundays but three times a day on weekdays, at special hours on holidays and anniversaries, for fires and emergencies, whenever a member of the congregation died, and whenever there was especially good news moment's notice word would come that the bells were to be rung, and off Paul would run, his hate clapped to his head, his coattails flying." The main idea of this book is to share Paul Revere's life story before, during, and after his patriotic adventures! show less
Another aspect of the book is that the writing is so well organized that the information flows smoothly throughout the book. The reader is able to follow along as the author tells Paul Revere's story. Each show more fact that is shared has some type of background knowledge afterward to help the reader comprehend the information being shared. "To make extra money, he took a job ringing the bells in Christ Church. In Boston, church bells were rung not just on Sundays but three times a day on weekdays, at special hours on holidays and anniversaries, for fires and emergencies, whenever a member of the congregation died, and whenever there was especially good news moment's notice word would come that the bells were to be rung, and off Paul would run, his hate clapped to his head, his coattails flying." The main idea of this book is to share Paul Revere's life story before, during, and after his patriotic adventures! show less
48 pages
4-6th grade
Informational Picture Storybook
I found Fritz’ biographical account of Paul Revere to be very useful. It delivers the “meat” of Revere’s actual experience in his famous ride, treading nicely between not sensationalizing the tale and not being overtly mundane. Fritz does manufacture dialogue between Revere and other characters that, in this style of book, I find feels forced and unnecessary. However, the story progresses neatly and swiftly through Revere’s entire life and over all it’s a fun and informative read for a kid. Tomes’ artwork fits nicely with the story. Also, Fritz added some additional facts about Revere on the last two pages.
I would use this book as a precursor to an American Revolution unit. show more I would ask the class what they knew about Paul Revere. After they responded, “The redcoats are coming,” I would use the book to prove how little most know about Revere’s involvement in the Revolutionary War. show less
4-6th grade
Informational Picture Storybook
I found Fritz’ biographical account of Paul Revere to be very useful. It delivers the “meat” of Revere’s actual experience in his famous ride, treading nicely between not sensationalizing the tale and not being overtly mundane. Fritz does manufacture dialogue between Revere and other characters that, in this style of book, I find feels forced and unnecessary. However, the story progresses neatly and swiftly through Revere’s entire life and over all it’s a fun and informative read for a kid. Tomes’ artwork fits nicely with the story. Also, Fritz added some additional facts about Revere on the last two pages.
I would use this book as a precursor to an American Revolution unit. show more I would ask the class what they knew about Paul Revere. After they responded, “The redcoats are coming,” I would use the book to prove how little most know about Revere’s involvement in the Revolutionary War. show less
Well, as an adult, I did know much of what is presented here, but it was still a neat quick read with appropriately light but informative illustrations. A little flippant, maybe, but fun enough that I'll be looking for more by the author. The notes in the back, with more information, are appreciated.
(My edition is a 45 page softcover with the richly colored cover, though the ISBN leads to a newer one with a more spare design.)
(My edition is a 45 page softcover with the richly colored cover, though the ISBN leads to a newer one with a more spare design.)
This is the story of Paul Reveres famous ride to warn the colonists in Boston, Concord, Middlesex, and Lexington about the coming of the British. This tale is woven with a myriad of unknown facts that will dazzle young audiences and keep them on the edge of their seats! Sometimes stories of past heroes are paper thin and just a regurgitation of stale facts. This story goes way beyond those facts to breath new life into not only who Paul Revere was but how truly perilous his ride really was!
Fun read filled with obscure facts about a famous person from US History. The writing style was light-hearted, and the illustrations were whimsical.
Did I mention it was a fun read?
Did I mention it was a fun read?
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Author Information
70+ Works 42,016 Members
Jean Fritz was born in Hankow, China on November 16, 1915. She received a bachelor's degree in English from Wheaton College in 1937. She wrote picture books and historical fiction before focusing on historical nonfiction. Her first book, Bunny Hopewell's First Spring, was published in 1954. Her other books included And Then What Happened, Paul show more Revere?; Will You Sign Here, John Hancock?; Can't You Make Them Behave, King George?; Shh! We're Writing the Constitution; Traitor: The Case of Benedict Arnold; Where Do You Think You're Going, Christopher Columbus?; Who's That Stepping on Plymouth Rock?; The Double Life of Pocahontas; and George Washington's Mother. Homesick: My Own Story, a collection of linked narratives, traces her life from her girlhood in China to her longed-for yet uneasy passage to America. It won a National Book Award and was named a Newbery Honor Book. She received the Regina Medal by the Catholic Library Association, the National Humanities Medal, and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award and the Knickerbocker Award for Juvenile Literature for her body of work. She died on May 14, 2017 at the age of 101. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Awards and Honors
Awards
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Has as a teacher's guide
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- And Then What Happened, Paul Revere?
- Original title
- And Then What Happened, Paul Revere?
- Original publication date
- 1973
- People/Characters
- Paul Revere
- Important places
- Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Massachusetts, USA
- Important events
- Battles of Lexington and Concord (1775-04-19); American Revolution
- Related movies
- And Then What Happened, Paul Revere? (1994)
- First words
- In 1735 there were in Boston 42 streets, 36 lanes, 22 alleys, 1,000 brick houses, 2,000 wooden houses, 12 churches, 4 schools, 418 horses (at the last count), and so many dogs that a law was passed prohibiting people from hav... (show all)ing dogs that were more than 10 inches high.
- Quotations
- One of Paul's busiest nights was December 16, 1773. He prepared for it by smearing his face with red paint and lampblack, pulling a tight stockinglike covering over his head, and draping a ragged blanket over his shoulders. T... (show all)hen he picked up his ax and joined other Sons of Liberty, all pretending to be Indians, all carrying axes. And what were they up to?
- Original language
- English
Classifications
- Genre
- Nonfiction
- DDC/MDS
- 973.3311092 — History & geography History of North America United States Revolutionary War (1775-89) Operations Campaigns of 1775 Lexington and Concord (19 April)
- LCC
- F69 .R4178 — Local History of the United States, Canada and Latin America United States local history Massachusetts
- BISAC
Statistics
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- Popularity
- 4,417
- Reviews
- 27
- Rating
- (3.91)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 25
- ASINs
- 17