Recommendations by Gloria Schmidt
There are very few books for younger and middle readers on Rhode Island in the Revolutionary War. On the Resource Page you might check out The Hill’s Story, which is available to download. It is about Butts Hill and tells the story of the Battle of Rhode Island and Butts Hill Fort.
These are a few in my collection.
Juvenile Non-Fiction Picture Books
Brennan, Linda. The Black Regiment of the American Revolution. North Kingstown, Rhode Island, Moon Mountain Publishing, 2004. Beautifully illustrated by Rhode Island artist, Cheryl Noll, this picture book is an excellent introduction for elementary school students. It covers the origins of the Black Regiment, their action in the Battle of Rhode Island and their service until Yorktown. This book has been reprinted and is available on Amazon. Look for lesson plans on this website that use this book as a base.
Millar, John F. Rhode Island: Forgotten Leader of the Revolutionary Era. Providence Journal Company, 1975. This book is an easy picture book that provides a good timeline on what was happening before and after the start of the war in Rhode Island.
Older books might be available at libraries.
Juvenile Fiction – Picture Book
Landers, Judith. Timothy and the King’s Ship Liberty. I can’t find a date or publication information. The Liberty was a British ship that was destroyed by mobs several years before the Gaspee Burning. It is from a mouse’s perspective and really give the reader a sense of the colonial tensions that precipitated the war.
Juvenile Fiction
Bjerregaard, Marcia. First Heroes for Freedom. New York, Silver Moon Press, 2000. This story follows a fifteen year old Middletown, Rhode Island slave who is sent to join the Black Regiment just before the Battle of Rhode Island. The book is rich in details about the battle and provides an interesting way to introduce the battle to middle readers. Check libraries for this book.
Schroder, Walter. The Hessian Drummer Boy of Newport. Westminster, Maryland, Heritage Books, 2011. This book is aimed at secondary and adult readers. This book gives the reader an excellent understanding of the families that accompanied the Hessian soldiers as they occupied Newport.
Juvenile Non-Fiction
Freedman, Russell. Lafayette and the American Revolution. New York, Holiday House, 2010. Lafayette in Rhode Island is mentioned, but most of the book provides a understanding of the role Lafayette played in the Revolution in general. This book has lots of text, but is richly illustrated as well.
