Guns for General Washington: A Story of the American Revolution

by Seymour Reit

A tale of courage and bravery—the daring and dangerous trek that gave young America its first real victory, paving the way for the future of a great democratic nation. This exciting middle grade novel is the true story of Will Knox, a nineteen-year-old young man who transported 183 cannons from New York’s Fort Ticonderoga to Boston—in the dead of winter—to help George Washington win an important battle. Paul Revere's midnight ride...Washington crossing the Delaware...the winter crisis at Valley Forge... Some events in America's War for Independence are known to all. This book brings to history fans the story of another true episode, just as dramatic but not nearly as well known. As you read these pages, you will agree that Colonel Knox's great adventure was a stirring, suspenseful, and important event in American history.

Genres: Historical Fiction, American History, American Revolution, American Revolutionary War, Young Adult, School, Childrens

160 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1990

About the author

Seymour Victory Reit was the author of over 80 children's books as well as several works for adults. Reit was the creator, with cartoonist Joe Oriolo, of the character Casper the Friendly Ghost.

Reviews

[Johnny G. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a decent little book - a quick read at 140 pages - about a group of heroic men, led by Commander Knox of the Continental Army, who faced many challenges in moving heavy cannon from Ft. Ticonderoga, NY, down the Hudson, and east across the Berkshire Mountains and all of Massachusetts to Boston, at the request of General Washington. The book bounces back and forth from the Patriots' perspective and British General Howe, who has some difficulties of his own in Boston. I don't want to give any spoilers, but just know it's a pretty descriptive narrative account of what happened in the winter of 1776 that might have "saved" the effort for independence in the colonies.

[Deanna Sutter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story. I cried again at the end. This time I learned from this book that ordinary people can do impossible things that can change the world. Without the guns that the Knox brothers delivered to General Washington the Patriots would not have been able to kick the British out of Boston. Without the guns they wouldn't have won the war either.

This is a fabulous book to read to your children when you study the Revolutionary War.

[Weston Abusamra · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are in any way interested in the revolutionary war or the heroics of the soldiers of that time I recommend this quick read book. I found the strategy of fighting and the plan to liberate Boston from the British to rejuvenate the enthusiasm and drive of the colonist soldiers to be the most interesting. I especially enjoyed the way the book was written as a first hand account of the events that led the colonies another step closer to becoming the United States.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great true short story of Henry Knox' retrieval of the artillery at Ft. Ticonderoga. Easy to read. Finished in a couple hours.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent retelling of the brave Knox brothers without whom the Battle of Boston in 1776 would have been a terrible failure on the part of the young Americans. Excellent for young readers as it is a true example of prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance, courage and perseverance. Virtues abound in this historical account.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somehow I had never heard of Henry Knox and the story of getting guns for G. Washington. I love how Henry and his brother Will were great at coming but with ideas to do the seemingly impossible task of bringing huge artillery from Ticonderoga to Boston and the daily changing struggles that occurred along the way.

Their hard work paid off, and I God must have been on their side. Getting the guns to Washington caused the Americans to end the Siege of Boston from the British in mere hours.

The older boys were interested in the story as well.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book much more than I anticipated. Reading it in the cold winter months is key! Plus, a secret American Revolutionary mission written for middle grade readers is exactly the type of history lesson I can understand!

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

The kids and I liked reading more details about Henry Knox's adventure to get cannons for the Revolutionary War. We have an affinity for Henry Knox after reading Nathan Hales' Hazardous Tales: One Dead Spy.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an inspiring tale from the American Revolution! This story would be especially great for middle-grade and older boys - a tale of adventure and meeting huge challenges.
"A tale of courage and bravery—the daring and dangerous trek that gave young America its first real victory, paving the way for the future of a great democratic nation. This exciting middle grade novel is the true story of Will Knox, a nineteen-year-old young man who transported 183 cannons from New York’s Fort Ticonderoga to Boston—in the dead of winter—to help George Washington win an important battle. Paul Revere's midnight ride...Washington crossing the Delaware...the winter crisis at Valley Forge... Some events in America's War for Independence are known to all. This book brings to history fans the story of another true episode, just as dramatic but not nearly as well known. As you read these pages, you will agree that Colonel Knox's great adventure was a stirring, suspenseful, and important event in American history."

[Seri]

You know when your teacher assigns a book and it's about hystory and your like *whyyyyyyyyy* in your head but have to pretend your fine with reading it cause the other people you are assigned to read it with actually like reading about hystory. Oh you don't well, that eaither means you are lying to yourself or you actually like reading history novles that are almost word for word all about how they got guns and brought them to Washington. I am not saying the writer isn't a good writer I'm just saying that people who don't like that kind of stuff shouldn't have to read it!

[Natalie Votipka]

This book was well-written and included a lot of historical figures, places, and events. And for some reason, I didn’t find it super interesting. I’m going to chalk that up to my stereotypical feminine disinterest in details of war logistics (not that it was super technical or anything) because my 7-year-old son really did seem to enjoy it.

[Colin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great piece of historical fiction about Henry Knox's famous expedition to deliver British cannon from Fort Ticonderoga to the Continental Army besieging the British occupying Boston, leading to the liberation of Boston. The book follows the expedition day-by-day or week-by-week, and illustrates the tremendous difficulty of the achievement . . .

[Faith Payton · Rating 5 out of 5]

very captivating and so informative

This is reading for my fifth grade grandchild as she is studying this time in history. It so reveals the perseverance in hardship that many went through to bring about victory for the American nation at this time. And you won’t want to put it down.

[Abby Reilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story I never knew, so stars for that.
I thought there would be far more details, but this is a quick (really quick) almost summary form of what took place. The book is so thin, it's more like a pamphlet than a book.
I suppose kids would read this for a book report on this topic. Sure wouldn't take long to read, and would be good to know.

[Amy Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting slightly fictionalized account of Henry Knox's expedition to get cannons 300 miles to GW. Great read for upper elementary. I got a little tired of the part about Paul Revere, Jr., but I understand the writer did it to show us what it was like for rebels remaining in Boston.

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Candace--tried reading to kids in 7/05, but they got bored with the long introductory chapters before the action (maybe skip those chapters next time and give them a synopsis of what's happening and go from there? (I found it fascinating.)

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ Read this aloud to my children as part of our Revolutionary War history unit. It’s a true account of the daring expedition of the Knox brothers to secure cannons and ammunition from Fort Ticonderoga and bring it to Boston during the British siege of the city.

[Melissa Kuhn · Rating 5 out of 5]

We loved learning about this pivotal operation carried out by young William Knox. His resolve, ingenuity, and leadership are great virtues to encourage young readers in. The author kept us on the edge of our seats, wondering if they'd make it!

[Ruthe Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous historical juvenile-fiction based on a true story and true people who set out in the bitter winter to bring 183 cannons to General Washington, in order to save Boston. While written for elementary age, this book is a great read for all ages, especially families reading it together.

[Courtney Chiasson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this with one of my kids as we prepare for our trip to Boston this fall. He loved learning about Colonel Knox and everything his team went through to get the guns and artillery to General Washington in Boston. Easy, quick read for anyone who loves revolutionary history.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

My nine year old and I read this together, and we both really enjoyed the story!

[Abbey Koenig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was a really good ,cliffhanging book

[Riley · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this over the weekend, and I was surprised I thought it would be cooler.I was wrong, the book is very....I do not know, i just hated it.

[Gwen Testa · Rating 5 out of 5]

From a series called “Great Episodes” by various authors

Author wrote Casper the Friendly Ghost and 80+ books for children

[Yunho So · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review

😀Great book! This book was so epic!!! I might read all of Seymour Reit`s books.
Well, most of them at least.

[Meg Greer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story of patriotism. Few would go to such lengths to save our country today. Also, interesting that the author is also the creator of “Casper the Friendly Ghost.”

[Jennifer C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read aloud for my children to learn about the sacrifices colonists made for our modern American life.

[Erin Host Hisaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

excellent read-aloud for homeschool history

[Helen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lost interest quickly.

[Connie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Misleading info on Bloody Pond ghosts, wrong date and place.