The Boston Tea Party

by Russell Freedman, Peter Malone (Illustrator)

Follow a crowd of disguised protestors through the quiet streets of colonial Boston as they defend their right to control their own destinies.
 
Russell Freedman's engaging narrative, incorporating meticulous research and quotes from contemporary accounts, follows the rising tensions between the citizens of Boston and representatives of the British Crown. From the controversial, unpopular taxes on tea through the defiant act of dumping hundreds of chests of British cargo into the harbor, this exciting retelling puts readers in the middle of this historic event. 
 
Detailed watercolor illustrations bring this story of early American protest to life, artfully depicting the colonial era and the charged atmosphere of Boston in the weeks leading up to the Boston Tea Party.  Informational backmatter includes a bibliography, index, and historic map of Boston.
 
A perfect introduction to a pivotal moment in American history for young readers.

Genres: History, Picture Books, Nonfiction, American Revolution, Childrens, American History, War

40 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2012

About the author

Russell A. Freedman was an American biographer and the author of nearly 50 books for young people. He may be known best for winning the 1988 Newbery Medal with his work Lincoln: A Photobiography.

He grew up in San Francisco and attended the University of California, Berkeley, and then worked as a reporter and editor for the Associated Press and as a publicity writer. His nonfiction books ranged in subject from the lives and behaviors of animals to people in history. Freeedman's work has earned him several awards, including a Newbery Honor each for Eleanor Roosevelt: A Life of Discovery in 1994 and The Wright Brothers: How They Invented the Airplane in 1992, and a Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal.

Freedman traveled extensively throughout the world to gather information and inspiration for his books. His book, Confucius: The Golden Rule was inspired by his extensive travels through Mainland China, where he visited Confucius' hometown in modern day QuFu, in the Shantung Province.

Reviews

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did you know that Herman Melville's grandfather was at the Boston Tea Party? I didn't; but now I do. You'll learn other interesting things from this book as well. It's told in story form and contains excerpts from eye-witnesses who were there that night.

We visited Boston and saw several historical sites mentioned in the book: watch my reel!

Ages: 6 - 10

Content Considerations: nothing to note.

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[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

As he always does, Russell Freedman has once again brought the Boston Tea Party, arguably the event that started America's Revolutionary War, to life. How does he do that, given that the act of dumping tea into the Boston harbor has been covered in just about every elementary social studies text ever published? He relies on research, of course, and tells the story of this act of protest that started small and gained momentum through the eyes of its participants, their family members or onlookers including Joshua Wyeth, 15, who recalls disguising himself to resemble Native Americans; Peter Slater, who climbed from his window with the aid of a rope; and Samuel Sprague, 19, who abandoned his date and joined the tea party. Because these are perspectives that have not been shared with young readers in the past, the event will seem fresh and exciting to them. An Afterword, Time Line, and information on the colonists' tea addiction add even more delight to the book. The watercolor illustrations are painted in soft shades so that the men's actions occur during the cover of darkness.

[Donalyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Russell Freedman delivers another lively and informative account of American history.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freedman once again tells a great story. He not only keeps his readers interested, but tells a factual and documented tale. This is a great introduction to the Boston Tea Party.

[Bookbag_Betty · Rating 3 out of 5]

-Every Worthwhile Accomplishment, Big Or Small Has It's Stages Of Drudgery And Triumph; A Beginning, A Struggle And A Victory.

-What This Power Is I Cannot Say; All I Know Is That It Exists And It Becomes Available Only When A Man Is In A State Of Mind In Which He Knows Exactly What He Wants And Is Fully Determined
Not To Quit Until He Finds It.

[The tax on the tea was seen as a threat to the colonists liberties and a symbol of British tyranny.]

"Boston Harbor Is A Teapot Tonight"

DECEMBER 16, 1773
TRAVELED TO // Boston, Massachusetts - Boston Harbor
MET ALONG THE WAY // Samuel Adams - King George III -Governor Hutchinson - Sons Of Liberty - Joseph Levering - Josua Wyeth - Peter Slater -Samuel Sprague - Alexander Hodgdon - Francis Rotch - Admiral John Montagu -

Darthmouth - Elenor - Beaver
Old South Church - Faneuil Hall - Griffin's Wharf -
Intolerable Acts -

[Christina Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this historical fiction, intended for Grades 3 and up, children can be introduced to the Boston Tea Party, its purpose, and how it came about. The author does a good job at telling the historic milestone of Americans. I believe he does an exceptional job at telling the story, while including quotes and opinions from some of the voices that were heard during that time. The illustrations also are a good aid in getting the children to know and understand what took place back then. The illustrations are depicted just as the story is told.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kids already knew the basics about the Boston Tea Party, mostly the part about tea getting dumped in the harbor. This was a good expansion on that, with quotes from eyewitnesses and interesting anecdotes. My boys’ favorite was the apprentice who tied his bedsheets together to climb out the window and join in. The drawings were a bit understated, due to the muted colors, but did not detract from the account. Overall, a solid history read for kids.

[AMY · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great narrative account of events of the Tea Party. The timeline is helpful at the back of the book. The preface and afterward provide helpful information. It contains nice illustrations. Great story-telling. Great for an elementary school history section. Highly recommended.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Children's book on what happened to start the American Revolution. "Taxation without representation!" I wonder if it really happened that way? Nice story and good time lines in the back.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not long but very informative and had great illustrations.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent.
School book

[Josiah · Rating 2 out of 5]

What better way to introduce new readers to important events in American history than with a picture book, and who better to perform the writing than Newbery Medalist Russell Freedman, one of the most respected authors of nonfiction for kids in the history of the genre? Rather than simply laying out the bare facts and hoping some scrap of tinder amidst the information sparks an interest in the reader, Russell Freedman patiently does the work of tracing the little tidbits of history back to big, significant events many people will already know, demonstrating how even the smallest piece of the puzzle affects everything else, intersecting back on itself constantly. Russell Freedman makes history stand up and walk, relying on the personal accounts of individuals who were there to help put together a complete picture of the story being told, and he does it with no less stringent standards of accuracy in The Boston Tea Party than in any of his nonfiction books for older kids.

The Boston Tea Party wasn't a completely impromptu event, as one might assume. This book takes us back a few months before that famous night of impassioned American rebellion, to the frustrations that led up to the clandestine revolt, as the budding United States was growing in power and independence and beginning to resent the demands of its mother country. The U.S. had, in practice, become mostly independent by 1773, stocked with its own resources and wealth, yet the colonies were still required to pay heavy taxes to England's George III. Of all the charges levied, though, it was the steep tariffs on imported tea that rankled Americans most. Would it forever be mandated that they continue to pay usury to the crowned heads of a nation whose presence was growing progressively irrelevant to their lives? When rational discussion failed to make an impression on the overseas monarchs, it was time for a few brave men to fight back in their own way, declaring they would not pay the king's taxes no matter how loudly he roared. The best way to do this, they decided, was to board the English ship at Boston Harbor in the middle of the night, the vessel which carried the disputed shipment of tea, and jettison its cargo into the harbor.

While the cover of darkness helped conceal their identities and guard against potential ambush, the men who dressed in exaggerated Indian garb and stole down to the harbor had to be brave to even seriously consider attempting such an act. Damaging goods sent in good faith by the English could be considered a form of treason to the crown, and treason was a capital offense. As the "Indians" tiptoed to the harbor and flung the chests of fine British tea overboard the vessel that had carried the imported wares across the Atlantic Ocean, these bold Americans knew a statement was being made, yet surely they couldn't have realized how deep or lasting the statement would be. Good American soldiers would be dismembered and/or slain in the coming years of the Revolutionary War; families would be left without fathers, or brothers, and often both, and English as well as American citizens would suffer the agonies of a years-long war. Yet for freedom's sake, Americans were willing to pay such a cost in young lives stolen away forever, and the decision to stand firm for freedom above all else began that fateful night at the Boston Harbor, when a few courageous gentlemen agreed to do whatever it took to send a message to the world that they would not go quietly into the night, and neither would the generations of Americans to follow.

Writing a picture book about the Boston Tea Party was an interesting idea, though I'm sure Russell Freedman could create a longer, more in-depth treatment of the subject, and if he did I'd be certain to read it. The Boston Tea Party does well in taking a snapshot of a single scene in American history and then suggesting the fascinating story both leading up to the snapshot and continuing afterward, effectively hooking readers to wonder what happened next and perhaps want to read more about it. This is a solid, accurate book that presents history in a way that's easy to understand and isn't too complicated for the target age group, and I commend both author and illustrator for the work they did on it. I might consider two and a half stars for The Boston Tea Party.

[Kirah Marshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

1. This is a well illustrated nonfiction children's book about the Boston Tea Party. It tells the story of how the settlers were angry with the king and how they were not going to pay the taxes on the tea. It tells about the rules of cargo and trading of the days. It tells readers how the Sons of Liberty met several times to discuss what to do with the ships that carried the tea. They tried civilly asking the ships' crew people to take it back and that they were not paying the taxes on it, but the crew said they couldn't. So the men in the Sons of Liberty devised a plan to throw the tea over into the harbor.
2. This would be good for grades 2-5.
3. You could incorporate this book into a lesson about the settlers and the Revolutionary War. It would be especially good when talking about the Boston Tea Party in particular. It provides great illustrations so that would help students really visualize what was happening at the time.
4. Students who like history and nonfiction would like this book.
5. You could use this in small groups. You could have the students talk about if they thought what the men did was right or wrong.
6. You could use this book as a read aloud to enhance a lesson about the Boston Tea Party.
7. Related books are The Declaration of Independence, The U.S. Constitution, and The Trail of Tears.
8. This book doesn't come in other formats.

[Jody Kyburz · Rating 5 out of 5]

My fifth graders loved this book. It got them full of anticipation before we did our annual simulation of the Boston Tea Party (yesterday).

[Allyson Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives the story of the Boston Tea Party. It begins by talking about when the ship full of tea came to the harbor and why the people did not want the tea. It then talks about the men who disguised themselves as Mohawk Indians and went aboard the tea ships. The tea was then thrown overboard on all of the ships while the towns people watched. It then gives and afterword, explaining what happened after the Boston Tea Party and what happened in the American Revolution. There were many first person accounts used in the book that helped the reader identify with the people in the Boston Tea party. The pictures were done so you could see the Boston Tea Party happen like a story. I thought that this would help many young readers understand the Boston Tea Party more than just words. There were no captions but it was because the book was set up like a story. I would use this in my classroom to introduce the Boston Tea Party. I think any age could appreciate this book because it is written as a story. From second graders to fifth graders, students will enjoy reading about this historical event in a story setting.

[Paula · Rating 2 out of 5]

The significance of the Boston Tea Party is described in this narrative nonfiction piece of story-telling that will appeal to a wide variety of readers. Straightforward text and primary source quotes from townspeople and participants offer details that make the rebellious act come alive. The text is accompanied by large muted illustrations that will enhance readers’ understanding. This book would be a great supplement for social studies teachers. Back matter includes an afterword, bibliography, a time line and a page on the significance of tea drinking in the colonies.

[Katie White]

This book has wonderful pictures and goes through the events of the Boston Tea Party. It also goes into how the rebels dressed up as stereotypical Native Americans, which I would use with my 4th or 5th graders to debate whether that was fair or rude or inappropriate. It also has a neat little arranged timeline in the back which would come in handy if we were looking at a unit on the Revolutionary War; the students could do an art integration piece and draw their own timeline of our events we cover in class and post it up on the wall as a reference.

[Karen Arendt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Russell Freedman does such an excellent job of making history so accessible for children. Everyone knows the Boston Tea Party, but this book adds detailed illustrations, a timeline, bibliography, and an index! The text gives readers background information in an introduction then takes the reader through the entire conflict, making the story easy to understand. The information included at the back of the book (an index, too!) makes the book worth sharing in the classroom.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A kid-friendly book on the Boston Tea Party that reads like a newspaper article/diary because it draws on accounts from people who were there. Illustrations are full color and full of emotion. Back matter includes an Afterword, Bibliography, a backstory on tea, and a timeline. Not the first book I would reach for if a child needed a book for a report, but a great nonfiction read of American interest nonetheless.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both narrative and illustrations convey a sense of the time, place, tension, and issues involved in the actual events leading up to and encompassing the original Boston Tea Party. The events on the ship itself are most revealing of the civility ands seriousness of the protest. The only concerns I had involved the low visual contrast between text and illustration background which made it more of a challenge to actually read.

[Logan Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Informational Nonfiction
Grade: 4-6
This is Another good book that shows something from the history of the United States. I really like how they brought in different peoples perspectives and also had really good illustrations that showed what happened during this night. I learned some more about the story even though I had heard about the Boston tea party before. I chose fourth through sixth grade because it is a longer book and something deep from our Nations history.

[April Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Russell Freedman's books. He does any amazing job highlighting the major events during the Boston tea party. I even learned facts from this book that I do not remember learning in school. This book is a great read aloud for fifth grade, which is where students learn about the American Revolution. I would recommend this book to any fifth grade teacher.

[Brenda Kahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations, engaging storytelling (Hey! It's Russell Freedman! Of course, it's engaging.) Introduction, map, sources, afterword, all in a picture book. Perfect addition to the 7th grade "Road to Revolution" Podcast Project. So excited!

[Yoo Kyung Sung · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Tea Party" these days have different meanings in the U.S. This book invite the forgotten part of American history. Surely Freedman's authorship is appreciated to revisit The Boston Tea Party part of the U.S. history.

[grieshaber.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Russell Freedman books and the American Revolution is my favorite time period, so I just had to read this picture book. Excellent information told in a compelling story with beautiful illustrations.

[Lin Lin]

Two hundred and thirty-nine years ago, on today, December 16, a group of colonists dressed themselves up as Mohawk Indians and dumped boxes of tea into the sea as their protest against the rule of British Parliament and King George III.

[Helen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm afraid this nonfiction book was definitely nothing special. I thought it would be exceptional since it was by Freedman, but no such luck. It didn't even have any primary sources or articles, so it would definitely be a no vote for me.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

When it comes to bringing history into the here and now, giving readers an inside glimpse on the then, no one does it better than Russell Freedman. This volume is further enhanced by the paintings of Peter Malone.

My full review: http://bit.ly/X0Om7G

[Rebecca Snodgrass · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't like how the words are blended with the background, but it's a good intro to the Boston Tea Party. It's a good book when talking about recalling and retelling because of the words remembered and recalled. It's very interesting.

[Tessa Zimmerly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: nonfiction/ informational
Grade: 3rd-8th

The Boston tea party was a huge event that happened in our history. This book lets students learn about this event. It is entertaining and the pictures show the reader the details that went into preparing for this event.