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They Called Her Molly Pitcher
The rousing true tale of an American Revolution heroine.
When her husband joined General Washington’s army, Molly Hays went with him. All through the winter at Valley Forge, Molly watched and listened. Then in July, in the battle at Monmouth, she would show how much she had learned. Molly could tell the day would be a scorcher, so she decided to bring water from a nearby spring to the fighting men. More than 50 British soldiers would die of heatstroke that day, but the American soldiers need only cry, “Molly–pitcher!” On one trip through the fighting field, she saw her husband get shot. She satisfied herself that he wouldn’t die from his wound, then took over his job–firing off the cannon!
Molly epitomized the feisty, self-reliant spirit of the colonists who would soon win their battle for independence–and her story has rightly become a beloved legend of American history.
When her husband joined General Washington’s army, Molly Hays went with him. All through the winter at Valley Forge, Molly watched and listened. Then in July, in the battle at Monmouth, she would show how much she had learned. Molly could tell the day would be a scorcher, so she decided to bring water from a nearby spring to the fighting men. More than 50 British soldiers would die of heatstroke that day, but the American soldiers need only cry, “Molly–pitcher!” On one trip through the fighting field, she saw her husband get shot. She satisfied herself that he wouldn’t die from his wound, then took over his job–firing off the cannon!
Molly epitomized the feisty, self-reliant spirit of the colonists who would soon win their battle for independence–and her story has rightly become a beloved legend of American history.
40 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 18, 2024
Fantastic - 6+
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March 8, 2010The true story of Molly Hays who joined her husband in General Washington’s army during the American Revolution. At the battle of Monmouth, Molly risked her life to bring water to the fighting men. She even took over her husband’s job of firing the cannon after he had been shot. Her feisty spirit would make her a legend in her own right.
I love that this book highlights the contribution of a woman to the fight for America's freedom. As a young girl, I had a very difficult time mustering up interest in the study of different wars. Unlike the boys, I was completely disinterested in learning about the various battles and the weapons used. I think it would have helped me to learn more about the contributions that females made.
I love that this book highlights the contribution of a woman to the fight for America's freedom. As a young girl, I had a very difficult time mustering up interest in the study of different wars. Unlike the boys, I was completely disinterested in learning about the various battles and the weapons used. I think it would have helped me to learn more about the contributions that females made.
July 7, 2011
Great heroic tale of Molly Pitcher (Hays), who took up her husband's cannon at the Battle of Monmouth and was commissioned as a sergeant by General Washington. She apparently insisted that everyone call her "Sergeant Molly" the rest of her life.
Not a fan of the illustrations -- they're kind of fuzzy and gloomy -- but the story's great.
Not a fan of the illustrations -- they're kind of fuzzy and gloomy -- but the story's great.
May 18, 2017
I'm not thrilled with the pictures, but it's a great story.
December 26, 2011
should be in every elementary school library.
October 4, 2019
"I'll Show The British There Is Plenty Of Fight Left In Us Patriots."
We Can't All Be Washingtons, But We Can All Be Patriots.
When a nation is filled with strife, then do patriots flourish.
You will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make a good use of it.
TRAVELED TO // Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, The Battle Of Monmouth, Yorktown,
MET ALONG THE WAY // "Molly" Mary Hays McCauley "Pitcher", George Washington, William Hays, Second Continental Congress, General Lee, Frederick Wilhelm Augustus von Steuben, General Cornwallis, Sir Henry Clinton
George Washington's Horse Nelson [ George Washington Breakfast]
Molly Pitcher [ Heroines Of The American Revolution]
Battle Of Monmouth - June 28, 1778
Victory Of Yorktown - October 19, 1781
April 22, 2019
4 1/2 stars. Great picture book account of Molly Pitcher and her role in the Battle of Monmouth. Handsome oil painted illustrations are complemented by text that details Molly's pragmatic heroism and some background information on the American Revolution. Huge props for including an African-American soldier at Valley Forge (Where one in 8 were black!) I wish more racial diversity had been shown in other battle scenes, but at least, unlike so many Revolutionary picture books, this one doesn't entirely write out their contribution. I loved all the detail and the time line at the end. I profoundly wish sources had been provided (AAAAARGH!) and that the text had been heavier so as to contrast more with the natural linen background of the pages.
July 21, 2022
Rounded up, because I think this is the history that needs to be taught in school to help disprove the boring white men label.
Molly Pitcher follows her husband to war during the Revolution. She braves cannon and gun fire to bring water to the overheated soldiers. When her husband is hit and unable to man the cannon she takes over. General Washington gave her the rank of Sergeant for her bravery in battle.
Afterword tells of "a medal called the Artillery Order of Molly Pitcher. It is awarded by a field artillery commander to those who have "voluntarily contributed in a significant way to the improvement of the field artillery community.""
Molly Pitcher follows her husband to war during the Revolution. She braves cannon and gun fire to bring water to the overheated soldiers. When her husband is hit and unable to man the cannon she takes over. General Washington gave her the rank of Sergeant for her bravery in battle.
Afterword tells of "a medal called the Artillery Order of Molly Pitcher. It is awarded by a field artillery commander to those who have "voluntarily contributed in a significant way to the improvement of the field artillery community.""
February 16, 2021
Some excellent historical fiction for kids! This was a great story from the Revolutionary War that tells about a woman many of us don't hear about in the often male-dominated story of US Independence. The illustrations all look like aged oil paintings, which was a lot of fun.
February 1, 2018
Perfect level of detail for my 8yo. Great illustrations...loved the linen backgrounds
March 16, 2019
Another great historical read to the 7-year-old about a heroic woman in the Revolutionary War.
April 8, 2019
Really good book with wonderful illustrations!!
February 20, 2021
Beautiful story and imagery.
December 6, 2022
I would edit out this part on the bottom of first page: "No one ever said she was pretty, but..."
November 20, 2015
They Called Her Molly Pitcher is written by Anne F. Rockwell and illustrated by Cynthia von Buhler. The story begins with Molly's husband closing his barber shop to join the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. The reader is introduced to a few significant people and events in the history of the war as Molly follows her husband around to different stations for the war. The story culminates with the battle of Monmouth, in which Molly Pitcher earned her nickname. Molly's actions during that battle and the fallout from the events are explained, along with tidbits from the rest of the Revolutionary War.
This book is good for small pieces of basic information about the war, such as the winter spent at Valley Forge and, of course, the battle during which Molly Pitcher received her name. Since there is an element of storytelling mixed in with the straight facts, the reader can gain an impression of what these events might have been like, but the descriptions also tend to lend an obvious bias to the story. For instance, the depictions of Molly Pitcher as covered in grime, tired, torn up, yet relentlessly persisting during the battle doing a task far beyond what any woman had ever done before over-glorifies her actions, and gives the impression that the author clearly favors the story. In fact, at the end of the book, an author's note gives the admission that the author has always favored the story of Molly Pitcher, and I believe this bias comes across in the storytelling.
The book contains a small timeline at the back, which lists a few of the most important events comprising the Revolutionary War, which is good for basic understanding and knowledge outside of what is mentioned in the book itself. The illustrations for this book are painted on stretched linen and overlayed with a sepia tone for an appearance of age, which helps date the story more to the time period in which it takes place. Images typically focus on specific individuals by making them the most prominent figures on the page. For instance, many paintings depicting the Battle of Monmouth have Molly herself as the most prominent figure, wearing her large war-torn dress, brandishing her pitcher, and loading the canon. Battle pictures are run over with white and grey to simulate the smoke from cannon fire and musket fire, which not only contributes to the dramatic wartime atmosphere, but keeps the gravity of war at an age-appropriate depiction.
Overall, the book is good for a leisurely read, if one wishes to know more about the Battle of Monmouth, but I personally found it hard to overlook the bias in the writing and the overglorification if Molly's and the rest of the Continental Army's actions.
This book is good for small pieces of basic information about the war, such as the winter spent at Valley Forge and, of course, the battle during which Molly Pitcher received her name. Since there is an element of storytelling mixed in with the straight facts, the reader can gain an impression of what these events might have been like, but the descriptions also tend to lend an obvious bias to the story. For instance, the depictions of Molly Pitcher as covered in grime, tired, torn up, yet relentlessly persisting during the battle doing a task far beyond what any woman had ever done before over-glorifies her actions, and gives the impression that the author clearly favors the story. In fact, at the end of the book, an author's note gives the admission that the author has always favored the story of Molly Pitcher, and I believe this bias comes across in the storytelling.
The book contains a small timeline at the back, which lists a few of the most important events comprising the Revolutionary War, which is good for basic understanding and knowledge outside of what is mentioned in the book itself. The illustrations for this book are painted on stretched linen and overlayed with a sepia tone for an appearance of age, which helps date the story more to the time period in which it takes place. Images typically focus on specific individuals by making them the most prominent figures on the page. For instance, many paintings depicting the Battle of Monmouth have Molly herself as the most prominent figure, wearing her large war-torn dress, brandishing her pitcher, and loading the canon. Battle pictures are run over with white and grey to simulate the smoke from cannon fire and musket fire, which not only contributes to the dramatic wartime atmosphere, but keeps the gravity of war at an age-appropriate depiction.
Overall, the book is good for a leisurely read, if one wishes to know more about the Battle of Monmouth, but I personally found it hard to overlook the bias in the writing and the overglorification if Molly's and the rest of the Continental Army's actions.
September 24, 2016
This book was fantastic! It would be a great history lesson, with some great vocabulary words to go along with it. I remember learning about Molly Pitcher in either fourth or fifth grade, and I think this book would stick with many students as well. Although the pictures are of war, they aren't too grueling and they aren't too soft--they perfectly portray the scenes in an appropriate way.
May 8, 2015
Personal Response- I absolutely loved this book. I remembered facts I learned in my U.S. History class last semester while reading so I know the information is accurate. It was interesting the book mentioned how Molly Pitcher got her name because her real name was Molly Hays. The illustrations were beautiful with the bold colors and clear lines. Overall it was a fun read because the author showed Molly as a courageous and feisty woman.
Purpose in the Classroom- Fifth through sixth graders would like reading this book as an independent read because of the amount of detail, small print, and challenging vocab. One example found in the book is guerrilla warfare. It was helpful the author explained what it means in a sentence before it was mentioned but this way of writing demonstrates a more challenging read because there is no glossary. The book is a fantastic resource for students to learn more about the American Revolution and the Battle of Monmouth. Another use for the class would be for a project on famous women in American history. Some nonfiction conventions I found were important events with dates in the back of the book and bold faced type. Literary elements that could be taught using the book is characterization, conflict, setting, and simile. (figurative language)
Diverse Perspective- I enjoyed how the book told the story of a woman in the war to emphasize her importance. Students can learn that women were also an important part of the war.
Purpose in the Classroom- Fifth through sixth graders would like reading this book as an independent read because of the amount of detail, small print, and challenging vocab. One example found in the book is guerrilla warfare. It was helpful the author explained what it means in a sentence before it was mentioned but this way of writing demonstrates a more challenging read because there is no glossary. The book is a fantastic resource for students to learn more about the American Revolution and the Battle of Monmouth. Another use for the class would be for a project on famous women in American history. Some nonfiction conventions I found were important events with dates in the back of the book and bold faced type. Literary elements that could be taught using the book is characterization, conflict, setting, and simile. (figurative language)
Diverse Perspective- I enjoyed how the book told the story of a woman in the war to emphasize her importance. Students can learn that women were also an important part of the war.
July 28, 2011
An excellent biography about a strong, courageous woman. I would definitely have this book in my library.
July 10, 2012
What an amazing story about an amazing woman. Made all the better by finding out it is a true story!
March 17, 2014
I did not like this book at all. I did not think it had good info.
June 13, 2014
Great informational text! The author does a good job of vividly describing the scenes and events. Great opportunity for a close read.
December 11, 2016
A good quick read.
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December 2, 2017Molly pitcher is a fun story
April 21, 2018
I loved this historical background about "Molly Pitcher" / Molly Hayes. She was a hero of mine as kid and this book just confirmed how awesome she is.
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October 17, 2018This is a wonderful story to introduce the American Revolution to a class. A teacher could read it to younger students but older students could read it on their own
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews