Saratoga Secret

by Betsy Sterman

When a secret letter falls into the hands of sixteen-year-old Amity Spencer amidst the Battles of Saratoga in 1777, she undertakes a dangerous mission to pass the letter to the Continental Army.

Genres: Historical Fiction, American Revolution, Adventure, Childrens, Suspense, Friendship, 18th Century

176 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1998

Reviews

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read this twice, once probably when I was in middle school, and then probably while I was in high school.
The romance in here had me loving this book and considering it one of my favorites, because I loved anything with romantic elements. I remember there were two guys that liked her, one was red-haired and ended up going off to war. The other was the guy who drove the wagon of goods around. She liked him, but something caused her to think that he was a spy for the enemy army, so she was suspicious of him. Somehow she intercepted a note and cut it up and put it in the buttons of her dress. She went to deliver it to someone prominent in the army, at an inn and had to cut the buttons off her dress, which caused a commotion. At the end the poor other guy saw her with the wagon guy and knew she loved him instead. I felt so bad for him. Wagon guy realized she had thought he was a spy and that explained her behavior towards him during the wagon ride. Also, she milked her cow at one point and I think made a comment about her hands being cold. That's all I really remember.

[Pamela Bronson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm rounding up a bit in my rating. I enjoyed this, but will probably not reread unless I read it to a child.

Good story about growing up, finding a way when none seems to be there, and courage. Also trust and love.

It teaches the reader about the turning point of the American Revolution, at Fort Ticonderoga and then the Battle of Saratoga. It gave me a new perspective on Benedict Arnold, who is a hero in this book. I think it also shows an accurate picture of rural NY state farm life at the time.

I appreciate that there is an Afterward (whatever it's called) at the end, which explains more about some of the events, tells you which characters were real historical figures, and what happened afterwards, to Benedict Arnold, "Granny" Gates, "Gentleman Johnny" Burgoyne, and others. For one thing, it saved me from looking online and falling down rabbit holes for hours, potentially!

Definitely a "middle grades" book, but some younger children might like it, especially as a read-aloud. Children and animals are threatened but none of them actually die in the book. (A beloved animal is stolen.) No graphic violence and very clean. My mother read it around age 80 - she left a note in it saying it was enjoyable and easy to read.

This was actually almost certainly my second reading, but I had no recollection of it whatsoever. This is not a reflection on the quality of the book - I forget books that I've loved after as little as 2 or 3 years, and it's been more than 20 in this case.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good, clean read about the American Revolution. I had a hard time putting it down!

There are deaths, and wounds, and sadness, but it never becomes too heavy. You will also find courage, bravery, and strong family relationships.

The main character is 16, so there are thoughts of marriage and boys and some light romance. Her best friend is somewhat boy crazy and flirtatious. Other than that, there is nothing to note.

3.75 ⭐
Enjoyable and worth re-reading.

[Rebecca Berinstein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Happened to stumble upon this while looking at other books and I couldn’t resist since it was about Saratoga. This was a good piece of middle reader historical fiction. I loved the young heroine. Being from the area though, I wish the descriptions had been better. How scary it must have been.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this historical fiction novel about the Battle of Saratoga during the Revolutionary War. It's about Amity, age 16, whose Dad joins the Patriot Army and some of the things that happened to her and her family. I learned quite a bit. I think it would be appropriate for 5th grade and up.

[Joellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My sweet third grader, George, bought me this book from a sale at the end of school, with his very own, hard earned school dollars. I really enjoyed it! I enjoy all historical fictions and it was fun to see they have made some for kids.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book :) This was my second time through, and I enjoyed it just as much the second time as I had the first. A nice book for young adults, or anyone just looking for an easy read..

[Erika]

I remember this being a thrilling read in sixth grade. A brave heroine in a historical setting is sure to catch my attention!

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exciting book for upper-middle grade or YA students that brings to life one of the important battlefields of the Revolutionary War. Based on actual events, but bringing in fictional characters, Sterman helps readers envision the hardships and challenges the Americans faced in taking on the world-class British army. There's a gentle young romance, but there are also difficult events: illness, deaths and wounds, the realities of battles, and shifting loyalties that are hard to see through. In truth, the American Revolution was also a civil war, with Tory against Patriot dividing friends and neighbors, as well as families.

[Mary L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love historical fiction--especially at the end where it tells what is true and what is fiction. Amity had a secret--and it was important that she tell it to the right person.

[Claire]

Great book.In the reaveltionary war, finding once thought dead friends.Great for kids 8-100.

[Colin Peck]

This book tells the story of a girl who embarks on a journey to deliver a letter to the Continental Army. It is a story about bravery, courage, and loyalty. This story shows some of the major events from the Revolutionary War from the perspective of a civilian girl who would probably not have had any involvement with the war if not for her mission to deliver the letter to the army. This book will also give students an idea of what events took place during the American Revolution.

This title is considered a 7.1 reading level, which means that eighth grade history teachers could use it as a supplement to their lessons about the Revolutionary War. It could also be used in eighth grade English/literature classes as a way to tie what the students are learning in history into what they are learning in English.

[Blue Mountain Middle School · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the American Revolution encroaches on the farm communities of the Hudson Valley, men rush off to join the Continental Army. Left behind on the farm with her mother and baby brother, Amity is left to ponder how war makes us all choose sides and that trust is one of the first causulties of war. When Amity finds herself in possession of information that could destroy the British surprise attack, she must find a way to pass this information on in time and navigate the maze of friend and foe in the once tight knit communities through which she must travel.

[Bvlmc Buchanan Verplanck Elementary School · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the American Revolution encroaches on the farm communities of the Hudson Valley, men rush off to join the Continental Army. Left behind on the farm with her mother and baby brother, Amity is left to ponder how war makes us all choose sides and that trust is one of the first causulties of war. When Amity finds herself in possession of information that could destroy the British surprise attack, she must find a way to pass this information on in time and navigate the maze of friend and foe in the once tight knit communities through which she must travel.

[Susan]

As the American Revolution encroaches on the farm communities of the Hudson Valley, men rush off to join the Continental Army. Left behind on the farm with her mother and baby brother, Amity is left to ponder how war makes us all choose sides and that trust is one of the first causulties of war. When Amity finds herself in possession of information that could destroy the British surprise attack, she must find a way to pass this information on in time and navigate the maze of friend and foe in the once tight knit communities through which she must travel.

[Tayler Morrell · Rating 1 out of 5]

I got this free from my teaching writing professor after we did a historical fiction short story unit. It is cute, about a girl who grows during the whole issue of Saratoga and the Revolution in New England. Spies and intrigue is a major part of this book. I also like how in the back, it has a lot of suggestions for teachers to use this in class--probably a 5th grade or 6th grade level.

[Swen Cilati · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book shows what happens when you assume.....A great moral for a great story!!!

[Susannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good, interesting VT connection

[Jalair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Takes the reader to the site of the Revolutionary War that was a turning point in the war.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been looking for books about this part of history in the Saratoga area, and this is a nice, young adult fiction piece about the Revolutionary War in that area.

[Jessica Rudd]

A really good book that perfectly balanced fact and fiction.