Each of twelve profiles of key figures in America's fight for independence contains several short paragraphs about the subject's experience and a detailed, somewhat stilted full-page watercolor of a key moment in his or her life. While some of the less well known subjects, such as Haym Salomon, may inspire readers to seek out more information, in general the book has too little substance to be of much use. Source notes, timeline. Bib.

Adler presents 12 heroes of the American Revolution in an attractive, if slight, volume. He selected his subjects "as examples of the many brave and diverse heroes of the Revolution." Presented with such iconic heroes as Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and Paul Revere are Crispus Attucks, a former slave killed at the Boston Massacre; Deborah Sampson, whose epitaph reads "the female soldier"; Lydia Darragh, a spy; and Mary "Molly Pitcher" Hays, who served at the Battle of Monmouth. With no introduction to provide context, the one-page vignettes offer cardboard heroes at best. The dramatic, full-page watercolor illustrations provide the energy the text lacks. The bibliography is an odd assortment of sources—mostly older books for adults, with nothing pointing younger readers to the wealth of materials—including some of the author's other works—on the subject for them. Useful only if matched with more informative sources, such as Doreen Rappaport and Joan Verniero's recent Victory or Death! Stories of the American Revolution (p. 539). (contents, author's notes, important dates, source notes, bibliography) (Picture book/biography. 6-9)

Gr 1-4-Whether spying on the British or rescuing fallen soldiers on the battlefield, the 12 men and women in this collection stand out as heroic figures. Each spread includes a brief, anecdotal text and a stylized painting of the individual in action. Entries are alphabetical, include birth and death dates, and contain details only about the person's contribution to the war. For example, George Washington's biography discusses his role as the commander of the Continental army. Other figures include Ethan Allen, Crispus Attucks, Lydia Darragh, Nathan Hale, Mary "Molly Pitcher" Hays, Thomas Jefferson, John Paul Jones, Thomas Paine, Paul Revere, Haym Salomon, and Deborah Sampson. A chronology and author's notes provide additional information. Teachers looking to introduce the war to children and students looking for ideas for reports will find this title an engaging place to start.-Shauna Yusko, King County Library System, Bellevue, WA Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.