Caesar Rodney's Ride

by Jan Cheripko, Gary Lippincott (Illustrator)

On the afternoon of July 1, 1776, Caesar Rodney received a letter from a fellow Delaware delegate urging him to return to Philadelphia at once. The congress was on the verge of casting the vote for independence. Battling bad weather and physical handicaps, Caesar Rodney embarked on a journey that would change the course of history. Here is the dramatic story of that ride, set against the extraordinary events of July 1776, with the remarkable men who shaped them, including John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, John Dickinson, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, and Caesar Rodney. With exquisitely detailed watercolors by Gary Lippincott, Jan Cheripko presents the burning issues of that time, the men who fought for them, and the story of the great patriot whose breakneck ride for freedom served to ensure the birth of the United States.

40 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2004

About the author

Jan Cheripko is the author of several books for young adults and children. He currently teaches English at The Family Foundation School, a private residential school for at-risk teens.

As he does in his novels, Cheripko focuses his talks to students, teachers, and parents on the choices young people make, the need to identify the principles one stands for, and to place them ahead of personalities.

For more information, please see http://www.answers.com/topic/jan-cher...

Reviews

[Martha Trzepacz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little known historical gem. There are many such pieces in the story of the American Revolution.
I love the format used by the author to set the stage for this historic event. I would like to know more about the rider.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

For elementary readers who are interested in American history

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had never heard of this fellow until I read this book, but the author says that he was inspired to write it by an article about him by Candace Fleming in Highlights magazine. Rodney was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and his vote as a representative of Delaware on the matter of independence was crucial. I would have liked a bit more about Rodney's personal life, though I realize that background information about the Revolution and the Continental Congress necessarily took up a lot of pages. I didn't care for the illustrations, as it seemed that Lippincott, the illustrator, had difficulty drawing people. The picture on page 20 looks particularly awful, with one arm looking too short and the other too long. I'm giving it 3 stars because of the artwork; otherwise, it would be 4. Still, anyone interested in an little-known story connected with the Declaration of Independence and the Revolution should try this book.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of the Delaware delegate racing to Philadelphia to cast his vote for independence on July 2, 1776. He was suffering from cancer and asthma and had an 80 mile ride in a storm to tip the split vote from his state from independence. Great book. I really wish someone had written down John Adams' speech from that day that so convinced everyone to sign their lives away to the cause.

[Andria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great side bars explaining the historical significance of the text.