While it's great to see more stories from history about women, I do wish that this had more vibrant color to make it stand out against the crows of history biographies.

This is a story about a revolutionary fighter who does not appear in standard history books. Prudence Wright is considered the only female leader of an all-women’s Minutemen group. Her group was made out of desperation to protect her community. While I did enjoy the story the book was very general. More time was spent on the surrounding history then on Prudence’s is history. However, it is explained that it was hard to find information due to lack of a historical record. Overall this is an interesting book and may lead people to research more. It would be a nice addition to any library collection.

In school we learn almost nothing about women during the Revolutionary War, just a few stories of women who disguised themselves as men to become soldiers or spies. WE are left to assume that most of them sat on their hands at home, waiting to see if their men would return. This book clears up some of those misconceptions. First we see the role w0men played in the early days, their rejecting of British goods and leading protests. And then, when the men were gone and their homes were threatened, forming their on militia and standing up in their own defense.This is a clear, easy to follow story that is well illustrated. A solid addition to a kid's history collection.

I love learning more about history, and this book did a great job of opening up a historical event I’d never heard of in my studies. Older elementary kids with an interest in history will particularly enjoy the story of Prudence Wright. I hope it finds its way into every elementary school library.

I love reading about unsung heroines of the past. This book about Prudence Wright is no exception. Her rallying of her Pepperell, USA village lady friends, some armed even with pitchforks while their men were off fighting against rising taxes and King George III, helped their cause for Independance from the British. They even caught spy. This is a very interesting way for children to learn a piece of their heritage, I believe, and to be grateful to those who have gone before them to gain freedom for future generations. Children likely could be inspired to good causes of their own. Hats off to Susan Reagan for her wonderful illustrations, which splendidly compliment Beth Anderson's rendering of the past.

~Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger~

December 2022

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

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Thank you to the Astra Publishing House and NetGalley for the advanced electronic review copy of this great book. This is an important book about Prudence Wright, a Revolutionary War activist. This is the first time a female activist from that time period is highlighted and as an educator, I am so glad to see that! I cannot wait to use this book with my 4th graders who study American Revolution!

England is tightening its grip on the colonies, and David and Prudence Wright are ready to take a stand. Fearless, Prudence refuses to purchase any English goods and unites the women of Pepperell, MA in doing the same. When British spies threaten their town, these Minute Women assemble and find their own place in history.

This historical non-fiction picture book does a wonderful job of weaving source material into a compelling story of heroism and bravery. Determined to fight for their freedom, these Minute Women rose to the challenge and in so doing proved changed the course of history. Paired with beautiful illustrations, Revolutionary Prudence Wright is a book to inspire young men and women alike.

The afterword also includes additional information, author's research notes, illustrator's notes, and bibliography. This was a nice addition as it provided helpful information regarding the research of a book of this type, and sources for additional study. This book would make a nice addition to an American Revolution unit study.

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I great book about a little known heroine. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found the storytelling both informative and engaging. I think this would work well in classrooms, at home, or even as an alternative to the typical story time book. Overall, I highly recommend!

This is a great children's non-fiction picture book regarding Prudence Wright, a female militia commander during the American Revolutionary War. The book does an excellent job at highlighting key points regarding Prudence's role and why she is important to American history. As a Canadian reader who had never heard of Prudence Wright before, I got a helpful and easily summarized view of Prudence Wright and her actions.

I absolutely need to praise the illustrations in this book. Incredible detail that adds context and a good historical background to the setting of the story. The illustrator did a phenomenal job emulating 18th century fashion and way of life that is simple yet easy to understand for children.

I found the text to be mostly beneficial to the story. For the most part, it was written in language that's easy to understand but doesn't simplify the narrative too much. From time to time there would be some jarring sentences that could be complicated for a child reading on their own. The style of writing (straight up and to the point) was helpful and easily understood, but there were a couple of pages written in an almost-narrative style that was slightly jarring and didn't add anything to the story.

Overall this book is a great choice for children interested in American history and important female figures.

This little known story from the Revolutionary War is an amazing masterpiece! The illustrations and the layout are perfect!!

Prudence Wright put her foot down, saying NO to the British - refusing stay silent, and organizing the women of her town to stand against the British - some only having farm implements, such as pitch forks, to use as a weapon. These women stood firm in MA, and Prudence Wright cemented a small corner in the annals of history. Sadly, these are stories that we do not hear often, and these should be shared! I will definitely be talking to her in my American history course this spring!

Grab this book, your children will love it!

Whoa. I've never heard of Prudence Wright before. Why are we not teaching our children these things? Our sons, and especially our daughters? The men in my life often have more faith in my power as a woman than I do. I wish that I had known this story. My daughter sure as heck will. Also, the layout of the book and the illustrations are to die for.

This is a well-researched and well-illustrated look at a previously almost unknown heroine of the American Revolution. The text draws in the reader to the bravery, intelligence, and persistence of Prudence Wright, leader of American Minutewomen. It has useful back matter too--an afterword with additional information, author's research note, illustrator's note and bibliography. The one thing I would like to know more about is the fictionalized parts of the book. The book is categorized as historical fiction, and I realize that there are many missing parts to the story as described by the author in the back matter. Lack of source material, material handed down orally and so on. While this is made clear, it would be interesting to know more about how the author filled in the missing pieces.

Yes to this picture book! Anderson’s story telling and Reagan’s illustrations result in a lovely look at Prudence Wright and the women of Pepperell, MA and their role in the American Revolution.

The things you learn from children’s books!
Honestly, I had never heard of Prudence Wright and I am ashamed to say so. What a phenomenal woman she was!
We talk about giving our young ladies role models and we fail to look back in history for some of the most inspirational women to have walked the Earth!
This book was great! It’s very well written, the illustrations are beautiful, and it reads very quickly. For sure, it’ll be added to the library of books that our daughter has about women in history who stood up and made a difference.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is a truly awe-inspiring tale of bravery by Prudence Wright, a groundbreaking woman during Revolutionary times. She was a dedicated woman, willing to put her life on the line for the cause. She rallied women to fight, led them on missions, caught a spy, and was involved in many protests. In addition to all of that, she was raising five children and keeping her home running. I loved reading about her fierce spirit! This is a book that touches on a piece of history that isn't commonly known, and it's important for children to know that women were just as involved in the cause of liberty!

What a fabulous picture book! Anderson combined textbook history, local history, and family history to share the tale of the women of Pepperell, MA during the American Revolution. As with many other times, when the men were away, the women rose to the occasion and showed them the power and strength that women have. Prudence Wright believed in independence and lived her life being a "proper" revolutionary wife until the townsmen were called out to help defend Boston. Prudence, and the other women (and the tavern keeper), picked up any weapon or tool they had and defended the town bridge. Their story has been lost for many reasons but this generation will make up for the past wrongs. We need more tales of individuals who made a change, no matter how small or big, who we don't see in the history books. For every one man (and a few women) who made it to the history book, there are hundreds or thousands who also deserved to be remembered. Anderson's book belongs to be in every classroom and home library because it shows the power that people have when they band together.

Thank you NetGalley and Astra Publishing House, Calkins Creek for the opportunity to read an advance reading copy.

I loved this book! The writing and illustrations give us a clear picture of an unconventional, feisty, brave woman who acted on her convictions and was a leader in her community at the beginning of the Revolutionary War. I feel inspired to stand up for my beliefs, too, and I think girls who read the book will feel the same. I will definitely add this to our school library's list of books to order.

Well done, this look at a female involved in the cut and thrust of military action against George III's agents in Massachusetts – forsaking her several children to guard a bridge whose use could put the kibosh on the town's men – is clearly of much more interest in the US than anywhere else, but is not to be dismissed. Brief yet detailed, and well illustrated, this should be a great success in its target market.

My personal favourite when it comes to the publisher's series of women empowerment storybooks. Everything is perfect: the illustrations, the presentation and enough information.

Thank you, publisher and the authors, for the advance reading copy.