To the Discussion Leader
Books in the My America series,
aimed at 7-9 year-olds, follow one character through multiple novels
allowing young readers to get thoroughly enmeshed in major events
from American history. Following on from Five Smooth Stones, celebrated
author Kristiana Gregory continues ten-year-old Hope's Revolutionary
War experiences in We Are Patriots: Hope's Revolutionary War Diary,
Book Two. We Are Patriots has General Washington, General Howe, and
General Lafayette marching through Hope's diary. Tories and Patriots
clash, and Hope finds her beloved home and city, Philadelphia, occupied
by British soldiers. The Sons of Liberty and the Boston Tea Party
take on a special significance for Hope and her family.
Kristiana Gregory says, "It's a great adventure for an author
to imagine what life might have been like for kids during Colonial
America." Young readers will enjoy sharing in Hope's continuing
adventures set amidst the tragedy of battle casualties, conflicting
loyalties, and hopeful attempts to keep a loving family together.
Summary
"I shall try to be cheerful but
'tis with a heavy heart that I pick up my pen, " writes ten-year-old
Hope on her birthday, January 2, 1777. The United States is at war
with England. Hope's father has been gone more than a year, and her
brother Ethan is in a Redcoat gaol (prison.) Hope and her mother and
baby sister Faith have been living with relatives at Valley Forge
because it has been too dangerous to stay in their home town, Philadelphia.
When Ethan is released from prison, the family decides to go back
to their home. Hope is anxious to be with her best friend Polly once
again. She is shocked to learn that Polly's parents are Loyalists
who support the King. They forbid Polly to even speak to Hope since
Hope's family members are Patriots who support the new nation. The
girls find ways to meet secretly.
Hope's father returns from the war having lost a hand "from one
cruel stroke by a Redcoat's cutlass." Because Papa was a member
of a secret society, The Sons of Liberty, the British are hunting
him. He decides to join General George Washington's army. Soon after
he leaves, the Redcoats enter Philadelphia. Six soldiers move into
Hope's house and demand that Hope's mother cook for them and do
their laundry. They also expect her to sign an oath of allegiance
to the king. She refuses, saying, "Sirs, ye may take me to gaol,
but I shall sign no oath to King George.
Just before Christmas, Hope gets word that Papa is all right.
She writes, "I go to bed tonight thankful. We have food and soft
featherbeds. Polly and I are still friends and Papa is safe. Mother
says mayhap we could visit him for Christmas. 'Tis just one week
away! I must blow out this candle. I think I will sleep well."
Thinking About the Book
1. Hope and her family
live in Philadelphia. But, at the start of We Are Patriots,
they have moved to the countryside of Valley Forge. Why?
2. Identify the following. Why is each person/term important
in Hope's diary?
- General Howe
- General Lafayette
- Hessians
- mobcap
- Statehouse Bell
- fife
- broadside
- victuals
3. Why was Hope's brother, Ethan, taken as a prisoner?
Describe what he experienced in gaol. How is he now different?
4. Why do the Redcoats want to capture the city of Philadelphia?
5. Explain what it means to see a red ribbon on someone's
front door?
6. What news does Hope receive on Saturday, the 12th of
April that makes her say, "Oh joy?" What does she discover about
her father that makes her say, "I was horror-struck?"
7. Why must Polly and Hope meet in secret? Why do they
stop meeting and instead become "pen pals?"
8.Why do the Patriots move the Liberty Bell out of Philadelphia?
Where do they take it? Why?
9. On August 24th and on September 27th Hope writes about
parades marching through Philadelphia, the first led by General
Washington and the second lead by the British General Howe. How
are these parades alike? How are they different? How does Hope feel
during each parade?
Student Activities
1. People in Hope's time
had different ways of doing household tasks. Compare how we do these
things today with the way they were done in Philadelphia in 1777:
- getting the news
- washing dishes
- starching clothes
- keeping warm in bed
- lighting street lights
- freshening stale air
2.In her diary entry for Saturday, the 27th of September,
Hope mentions that the musicians in the British parade played "God
Save the King." Click on http://www.redcoat.org/Songs/music/english/queen.htm
and listen to this melody. (It's called "God Save the Queen" today
because Queen Elizabeth rules England.) Does this melody sound familiar?
If so, why?
3.In Hope's time some people put symbols outside their
homes to let others know if they were loyal to the king. What was
the symbol of the Tories? What did the Patriots put on their homes
to show their loyalty? What do you see people doing now in America
that shows they are loyal to our country?
4. Hope sees the young Frenchman Lafayette in the parade
on the 24th of August. Look up Lafayette at http://www.lucidcafe.com/library/95sep/lafayette.html
and learn more about this famous Patriot.
5. Hope's family are bakers. Their specialty is apple tarts.
Use a recipe like the one found at http://www.baking911.com/recipe_pastry_appletart.htm
and make some apple tarts for you and your friends to enjoy. Or
make a spice cake like the one Hope bakes in honor of her Papa's
birthday. Try the recipe at http://www.geocities.com/Wellesley/9052/spicecake.html
6. The author of Hope's diary, Kristiana Gregory, wrote
a Dear America book for older readers titled The Winter of Red Snow:
The Revolutionary War Story of Abigail Jane Stewart. This book was
made into an HBO movie which is now available on video. Watch this
video. Compare this movie with Hope's diary. What new things did
you learn about the Revolutionary War? (To find out how to purchase this 30 minute video, go to our Products page.)
Discussion Guide written by Richard F. Abrahamson,
Ph.D., Professor of Literature for Children and Young Adults, University
of Houston and Eleanore S. Tyson, Ed.D., Clinical Assistant Professor,
University of Houston, Department of Curriculum and Instruction.
Houston, Texas.
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