Let It Begin Here!: Lexington & Concord: First Battles of the American Revolution

by Dennis Brindell Fradin, Larry Day (Illustrations)

April 18, 1775 9:30 P.M. Paul Revere learns that the British army is marching to Lexington and Concord to arrest rebel leaders and destroy American military supplies. 11:00 P.M. Revere begins his famous midnight ride to warn his fellow patriots about the British plans. April 19, 1775 12:00 A.M. Revere reaches Lexington and warns rebel leaders Samuel Adams and John Hancock that the British are coming. They escape and rouse the town's militia. 1:00 A.M. Revere is captured by the British, but a fellow patriot continues on to warn the sleeping village of Concord. 5:00 A.M. An advance lookout for the Lexington militia spots the approaching British army and shouts a warning. 5:20 A.M. Most of the 70 Lexington militiamen, outgunned by the military might of the 250 British regulars, decide to back down. But a few men stand their ground, including Jonas Parker, a grandfather who has vowed never to flee the British. Suddenly, a shot rings out.

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

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2005

About the author

The award-winning author of nearly 300 non-fiction books for children and young adults, Dennis Fradin is known for his meticulous research, attention to detail and smooth, graceful writing.

Fradin attributes his success in part to years of teaching in the Chicago Public Schools. In order to hold his second graders’ attention at the end of the day, he would spin stories about crayons in distress and birds with broken wings. One such story caught the attention of an editor who asked him to write a series of books about the United States. The Sea to Shining Sea series (Children's Press), launched Dennis's career as a full-time author.

Dennis Fradin has written children's books on topics as varied as astronomy, colonial history, the Underground Railroad, slave escapes and scientific discoveries. He has written biographies of Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Adams, Jane Addams and Louis Braille, among others. Bound for the North Star is his riveting collection of true slave escape stories. The Power of One: Daisy Bates and the Little Rock Nine, co-authored with his wife Judy, was a Golden Kite Honor Book.

Dennis has collaborated with Larry Day on two picture books, Let It Begin Here! and Duel! with Walker Books. He's completed two dozen Turning Points books for Marshall Cavendish. Along with his wife Judy, Dennis wrote Five Thousand Miles to Freedom for National Geographic Children's Books, followed by their Witness to Disaster series.

Reviews

[Luisa Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here's a great one!

The illustrations are fabulous, doing a wonderful job of capturing the various historic scenes. And the narrative highlights, by the hour, the important events that started the American Revolution.

Ages: 6 - 10

Cleanliness: "Bl**dy" is used to mean lots of blood. "For God's sake" is said.

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[Sunday · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written as a narrative about the events leading to and occurring during the first battles of the American Revolution, this would read aloud easily to students immersed in a unit of study on the American Revolution.

PARTNER THIS & COMPARE/CONTRAST - Let It Begin Here! April 19, 1775: The Day the American Revolution Began (Brown, 2008). There are some significant SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES in how Brown and Fradin frame several parts of the book. For example, Brown implies that while the British forces did set fire to some things in Concord, a court house was accidentally set on fire (from burning embers) and describes redcoats and colonists working together to douse it. Meanwhile the militiamen on the edge of town saw the fires, thought the worst, and were inspired to charge the redcoats. Fradin doesn't mention the collaboration between the redcoats and colonists. This detail by Brown really adds to the complexity of this situation. While both authors describe the same topic, it's choices like this - about what to include and not include - on the part of both authors that lead the reader to draw differing conclusions. Noticing these differences could make for meatier conversations and responses from students.

HELPFUL FEATURES in Fradin's book -- a map inside the front cover that will aid students in making sense of where the numerous skirmishes and events occurred and a list of "Who's Who" on the "American Side" and the "British Side" and "Side Unknown" just after title page. Also closes with a "What Happened to the People" returning to the "Who's Who" list and briefly summarizing. VERY HELPFUL FEATURES (that are not included in Brown's book).

WISH Fradin had included primary or secondary sources for quotes.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good narrative about the first battle of the Revolutionary War. I learned quite a bit, and hopefully some of it stuck with my eyes. I wish there’d been a bit more about the wife of General Gage who may or may not have tipped off the Americans.

[Rykki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book includes some wonderful details about the battles of Lexington and Concord. What impressed me both was the information found in this book that I've been hard pressed to find in other books, such as the slave that fought for his freedom in the Battle of Lexington and the often ignored fact that Paul Revere was not actually the one to make it to Concord.

This book was given to my daughter for Christmas with Let It Begin Here!: April 19, 1775: The Day the American Revolution Began and a challenge to find the differences between the two books. For anyone interested in a more comprehensive American History lesson from a book, I'd suggest you pick up both books and discuss the differences between the two. My kids really enjoyed it!

[Suzanne Brandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let Begin Here! Gives the account of the first battles of the American Revolutionary War at Lexington and Concord. As a mentor text, students would be able to use the idea trait to form their writing. This text gives a time line of events leading up to and during the first battles. The writing instruction for this text I would have the students research the next battles of the revolutionary war; included with their writing, a time line of the next events of the war. I would be able to give the students a list of the next events and battles and they could choose from the list of options, then research their topic, and write a time line with details to support the event or battle.
Grade Level: 5
Reading Level: 5.5
Guided Reading Level: V

[Bookbag_Betty · Rating 3 out of 5]

-A Leader, Once Convinced That A Particular Course of Action Is The Right One, Must Be Undaunted When The Going Gets Tough

APRIL 19, 1775// FIRST BATTLES OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION // THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON & CONCORD
TRAVELED TO // Lexington & Concord, Massachusetts
MET ALONG THE WAY // Samuel Adams - Dr. Joseph Warren - Colonel John Barrett - Prince Estabrook - John Hancock - Captain John Parker - Dr. Samuel Prescott- Paul Revere - Margaret Kemble Gage - General Thomas Gage - King George III - Major John Pitcairn - Lieutenant Colonel Francis Smith - Jonathan Harrington - Jonas Parker -Samuel Whittemore -

[Charlotte S · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautifully illustrated book shows the starting events of the American Revolution in an engaging way! The writing is amazing, and so informative!

This is one of the books that we used for our homeschool study of the American Revolution, and we loved it so much that we ended up buying it! The illustrations are so gorgeous!
I love the page at the end that has a 'what happened to the people' section, that tells you where the key people went, on both the American and British sides, after the war.

I hope you enjoy this book as much as I do!
Thank you for reading my review! Follow @bronteandwilder on Instagram for book recommendations!

[Jurij Fedorov · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's good for what it is, but so short you surely cannot rate is that high. About 30 pages mostly big drawings. It looks fine. The history is good and curious yet it's too detailed and not detailed enough. We get the first day of the war with a ton of names and stories about what guy did what. Then no details about weapons whatsoever. No details about towns or cities or about what the population felt. Do we really need to know what a specific soldier did? The focus is all wrong. I want to know about both armies. What equipment they have, how it all works, how they live, what they feel, what their ideas are. I'm not sure who this is for or what the point is.

[Jasmin Chua · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aimed at schoolchildren, a concise primer about the first battles of the Revolutionary War.

[DeNae · Rating 2 out of 5]

It had a few differences from other books we've read. Lovely illustrations and lots of details, but I'm a bit wary about them since there were a few notable differences.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars. Excellent introduction to the Battles of Lexington and Concord. List of who's who, afterword. sources and further reading.

[Shelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect addition to for any elementary/middle school classroom and library, particularly for students covering The American Revolution. Reads ride along with Paul Revere and other revolutionary leaders in their fight for a new government.

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered this book on our New England tour around the historical sites of the Revolutionary War. The (retired) librarian and grandma in me had to buy it as it beautifully illustrated the basics: time, places, actions, events, etc. at a level that elementary children could easily understand. I have shared it several times with my grandchildren’s classes when I read in February, subject matter being either George Washington’s birthday or Revolutionary War study.

Included are simple maps of the Colonies, the war progression from Boston to Lexington to Concord, and most fascinating follow-up at the end, “What happened to the People: American Side; British side; and Side Unknown”.

I will also plug outstanding illustrations by Larry Day. They perfectly show how hats were worn during that time in history - allowing me to bring out and share several hats we purchased in Williamsburg. The kids LOVE to try them on and hear the reasons as to why they are shaped they way they are. (Just some of the fascinating things we learned on the living history tours!)

This is an awesome book for elementary age kids!! (Yeah, I like it too!)

[Michelle]

This book chronicles the twenty-four hour period that includes Paul Revere’s ride and the events leading up to the battles of Lexington and Concord. These first battles would begin the Revolutionary War showing England and the rest of the world that Americans would fight for freedom.

This is a great picture book for learning about that pivotal moment when Americans stand up and fight for their freedom. A list of "Who's Who" is provided at the beginning of the book and what happened to those same people after the war is explained at the end of the book.

[Judi Paradis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent picture book portrayal of the Battles of Lexington and Concord that started the Revolutionary War in Massachusetts. The book is written in timeline fashion and mentions all the key players and events. This would be a great choice for both social studies classes and kids who love history.

[Heloyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

A picture book with brief basic facts. Great for quick reference. A beginning for kids who will hopefully get hooked on history.

[Kelly Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very detailed play-by-play of the Battles at Lexington and Concord. Talks about specific people (well known and not) the places, and other details.

[Acton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book did not give that much information, but it was good. I liked it because I am into the American Revolution.

[Johannes Kristian · Rating 3 out of 5]

MCL.

[Adrienne Colbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Focuses on the first two battles of the American Revolution. The students love this book. Great substitute for teaching without the use of a text book.

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book!

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for sequencing the first battle of the American Revolution. Will use in my thematic unit.

[Tracy Holland · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides many details of the start of the American Revolution. The author reveals the courage and determination of the men who lead the charge to the start of the American Revolution.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun way to get the information about the revolution to your students instead of just coming straight out of the history books.

[Tdeden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book for my kids. Informative and kept their attention the whole way through.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great for our "Road to the Revolution" unit. It tells the story of Lexington and Concord with interesting facts like the man who was shot then stabbed 13 times yet lived into his 90s.

[Elena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick little read for when you'd like to know just a little bit more about the first two battles of the American Revolutionary War.