Soldiers, Spies, and Smallpox: Outstanding Children’s Books About the American Revolution

A book list featuring Children’s Books about the American Revolution, curated by Beth Anderson for The Children’s Book Review.

Over the last few years of researching the American Revolution for several books, I’ve found many fascinating topics to explore—including soldiers, spies, and smallpox! What was it like to be a soldier in the Continental Army? How did spies operate? How did smallpox impact the fight for independence? 

Here’s a collection of outstanding titles to celebrate the 250^th anniversary of the American Revolution—stories that open up history for children, as well as adults!

Spies

We’ll start with spies, because who doesn’t love stories of intrigue!

This middle grade book is a treasure trove of everything espionage during the revolution! Spies from both sides, their tools and techniques, along with some basics on the colonies and the war, all make for a great read!

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Anna Strong, a bold woman who was part of the Culper spy ring, served a vital role in the network getting information to George Washington about the British troops occupying Long Island. This story of an “everyday” woman working for the patriot cause will engage young readers with her ingenuity and courage.

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Though the next three titles are older, they feature amazing stories!

The story of James Lafayette, an enslaved man who was key to the American victory in Yorktown, widens the scope of our understanding of the war. Though he helped win independence for the country, his fight for individual freedom would continue.

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Fans of the musical “Hamilton” and those who remember the name of Benedict Arnold as a traitor to the patriot cause are not the only ones who will be interested in this book. For anyone learning about the revolution, this story of a disgruntled Continental soldier in search of glory and reward is a must read!

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This middle grade book contains a range of experiences of African Americans during the revolution, including the spy James Lafayette. In addition, it shares the dilemma Blacks faced with choosing sides in stories of several individuals who served as patriot or loyalist soldiers.

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Soldiers

Details about the life of Continental Army soldiers can be found within the stories of individuals as well as events—in text and in illustrations! In these books, you’ll see the huts, camps, work, travel, enlistment, pay (or not), battles, and challenges, as well as some surprises. 

Engineering? In the Continental Army? You bet! Soldiers of all kinds served the fight for independence, and in this story, readers learn about one of the many soldiers who put his skills to work for the cause. After reading this book, children can consider others who contributed, such as carpenters, mechanics, blacksmiths, and the “women of the army” who cooked and laundered.

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Though George Washington gets top billing, this heart-filled story shares his relationship with his troops and the challenge involved for all with the new country’s inability to pay them.

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This book is one of those soldier surprises! The research involved digging into life as a soldier in order to understand how Deborah Sampson could serve in the Continental Army, disguised as a male, for seventeen months, at a time when women were not allowed to serve. Readers will discover many details in the art and text as the story of this amazing soldier unfolds.

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Soldiers and Smallpox

And now we segue into smallpox. Any story about smallpox in the Continental Army must feature the soldiers.

George Washington faced an enemy more deadly than the British military—smallpox! While inoculation could save his army, it could also destroy it. Crucial to telling the story of George Washington’s decision to inoculate his troops against smallpox were the living conditions, army logistics, and behavior of his troops. As Washington makes an agonizing decision, readers see many aspects of life as a soldier. 

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Smallpox

This middle grade historical fiction novel shares the civilian side of the smallpox epidemic in Boston. After the Siege of Boston, the Continental Army marches on to New York City, and the main character’s challenges come to life in the turmoil of war, a deadly epidemic, and controversy surrounding inoculation.

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All these books have the potential to expand our understanding of the revolution. It wasn’t as simple as textbooks often make it sound. The war raged through eight long, brutal years as people faced a multitude of challenges. Stories like these that allow us to see the humanity in history can inspire the appreciation and fortitude needed today to carry forward the vision of democracy.

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