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Independent Dames: What You Never Knew About the Women and Girls of the American Revolution
Listen up! You've all heard about the great men who led and fought during the American Revolution; but did you know that the guys only make up part of the story? What about the women? The girls? The dames? Didn't they play a part?
Of course they did, and with page after page of superbly researched information and thoughtfully detailed illustrations, acclaimed novelist and picture-book author Laurie Halse Anderson and charismatic illustrator Matt Faulkner prove the case in this entertaining, informative, and long overdue homage to those independent dames!
Of course they did, and with page after page of superbly researched information and thoughtfully detailed illustrations, acclaimed novelist and picture-book author Laurie Halse Anderson and charismatic illustrator Matt Faulkner prove the case in this entertaining, informative, and long overdue homage to those independent dames!
37 pages, Hardcover
First published June 3, 2008
5 people are currently reading
913 people want to read
About the author
Laurie Halse Anderson
121 books17.3k followersUPDATE! Rebellion 1776 is out! The New York Times wrote, "Filled with immersive detail, expert delineations of complex characters, and both harsh and loving reality, Rebellion 1776 provides young readers with a true experience of a historic moment in time that resonates with today's world." Huzzah!
Laurie Halse Anderson is the New York Times-bestselling author of many award-winning books including the groundbreaking, modern classic Speak, a National Book Award finalist which has sold over 3.5 million copies and been translated into 35 languages.
In 2023, Anderson was named the Laureate of the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, long considered to be the de facto 'Nobel Prize for Children's Literature.'
A passionate spokesperson for the need to combat censorship, she has been honored for her battles for intellectual freedom by the National Coalition Against Censorship and the National Council of Teachers of English. She lives near Philadelphia. Go Birds!
Follow Laurie on Bluesky at @halseanderson.bsky.social, Instagram at halseanderson, and Facebook at lauriehalseanderson, or by visiting her website, madwomanintheforest.com.
Laurie Halse Anderson is the New York Times-bestselling author of many award-winning books including the groundbreaking, modern classic Speak, a National Book Award finalist which has sold over 3.5 million copies and been translated into 35 languages.
In 2023, Anderson was named the Laureate of the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, long considered to be the de facto 'Nobel Prize for Children's Literature.'
A passionate spokesperson for the need to combat censorship, she has been honored for her battles for intellectual freedom by the National Coalition Against Censorship and the National Council of Teachers of English. She lives near Philadelphia. Go Birds!
Follow Laurie on Bluesky at @halseanderson.bsky.social, Instagram at halseanderson, and Facebook at lauriehalseanderson, or by visiting her website, madwomanintheforest.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
February 1, 2018
I didn't like the prevailing attitude in this book, which could easily be summed up with "I am woman, hear me roar."
Here's a sample of two paragraphs. Notice the perspective of the guys got it wrong and the women got it right?: "American men held meetings and wrote letters and sent politicians to ask the British to treat us fairly. Didn't work.
"American women stopped buying British stuff. It was a boycott. (Maybe we should call it a girlcott. Or a ladycott.)"
I'll pass, thanks. How about a book showing men and women both working hard and working together?
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it! Visit my website: The Book Radar.
Here's a sample of two paragraphs. Notice the perspective of the guys got it wrong and the women got it right?: "American men held meetings and wrote letters and sent politicians to ask the British to treat us fairly. Didn't work.
"American women stopped buying British stuff. It was a boycott. (Maybe we should call it a girlcott. Or a ladycott.)"
I'll pass, thanks. How about a book showing men and women both working hard and working together?
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it! Visit my website: The Book Radar.
February 3, 2009
Growing up, I learned very little about women and minorities in our American History books. It wasn't always because our teachers didn't want us to know-- it's just that there was very little recorded.
Now historians are digging through letters, journals and other first-hand accounts to bring us a rounder picture of history.
This is the story of women and how they helped win the Revolutionary War. These were not women who fainted and dropped hankies. Their heroics went beyond feeding their families and running their households while the men were away. Because women were pretty much considered 1/2 people in those days, they had access to information and could cross boundaries because they were not seen as threatening. They defended their homes with weapons, caught spies, acted as spies, cleaned up battlefields and set up hospitals.
Another example of how thousands of average citizens--women citizens--helped to change history and make America what it is today.
Now historians are digging through letters, journals and other first-hand accounts to bring us a rounder picture of history.
This is the story of women and how they helped win the Revolutionary War. These were not women who fainted and dropped hankies. Their heroics went beyond feeding their families and running their households while the men were away. Because women were pretty much considered 1/2 people in those days, they had access to information and could cross boundaries because they were not seen as threatening. They defended their homes with weapons, caught spies, acted as spies, cleaned up battlefields and set up hospitals.
Another example of how thousands of average citizens--women citizens--helped to change history and make America what it is today.
February 27, 2010
Brimming with tidbits about all the women who helped with the American Revolution in numerous ways, this book is almost overwhelming visually and in terms of content. There's the main narrative, the illustrations (almost cartoon-strip like with characters speaking in bubbles), and a running border along the bottom of each page giving even MORE info on women and their deeds. But, this is also a very important book as the women of the American Revolution are so often overshadowed by the men and those dames did some pretty darn amazing things! Also, the book is full of humor which sometimes borders on the flippant (unintentionally so, I think) but should generally enrich the experience for kids and make history FUN!
November 14, 2008
I loved this picture book about women who are not well known but helped the Revolutionary War. I love the author Laurie Halse Anderson, and recommend it for adults also because it is entertaining and you learn a lot. Spencer and Genevieve kept asking me I was crying and laughing as I read it.
September 15, 2013
This is such a plethora of information about the women who helped make the American Revolution successful. Interesting dialogue, great illustrations, and just a teensy-weensy bit of feminine indignation that these stories aren't told along side the ones of Paul Revere, Nathan Hale, and others.
July 18, 2017
"Hello? How about the women?"(p.6).
This young reader book is profound in its message toward youth as well as adults. From the outset, the book drives the point that women are not mentioned in the history of the making of the United States, not because they did not act, but because they simply were not written about. Black, Native American, and White, women rode farther than Paul Revere; were the impetus for the strength of the boycott against English tea and merchandise (not afraid to tar and feather traitors to the cause); wrote pamphlets, newspapers, and inspirational lyrics; and followed men to the front lines and dressed in men's clothing to take up arms fighting bravely, suffering injury, freeing prisoners of war, nursing the wounded, burying the dead, and carrying secrets. And, their service was once acknowledged! George Washington recognized African slave Phillis Wheatley for her famous poems of the Revolution, and called the women who cooked and cleaned for soldiers "Women of the Army." Women earned military pay and military pensions, and were renowned for fighting off enemy troops. Yet, only the great men of the Revolution earned their names in print. Anderson knows the way to rectify this is to start digging through our own family histories for the truth. The dedication of the book leads the charge. It reads, "Dedicated to my Revolutionary grandmothers," listing the author's own 22 mothers of the Revolution.
This young reader book is profound in its message toward youth as well as adults. From the outset, the book drives the point that women are not mentioned in the history of the making of the United States, not because they did not act, but because they simply were not written about. Black, Native American, and White, women rode farther than Paul Revere; were the impetus for the strength of the boycott against English tea and merchandise (not afraid to tar and feather traitors to the cause); wrote pamphlets, newspapers, and inspirational lyrics; and followed men to the front lines and dressed in men's clothing to take up arms fighting bravely, suffering injury, freeing prisoners of war, nursing the wounded, burying the dead, and carrying secrets. And, their service was once acknowledged! George Washington recognized African slave Phillis Wheatley for her famous poems of the Revolution, and called the women who cooked and cleaned for soldiers "Women of the Army." Women earned military pay and military pensions, and were renowned for fighting off enemy troops. Yet, only the great men of the Revolution earned their names in print. Anderson knows the way to rectify this is to start digging through our own family histories for the truth. The dedication of the book leads the charge. It reads, "Dedicated to my Revolutionary grandmothers," listing the author's own 22 mothers of the Revolution.
May 23, 2015
I wanted to love this book so, so much. It's right up my alley: fantastic illustrations and my favorite subject matter - ladies of the American Revolution! However, there were quite a few complaints. One being that the "story" or the narrative part of the book was much too heavy-handed. I felt as if I was being slapped in the face with the author's radical feminism with every page. Now, believe you me, I consider myself a feminist, but the rude, sarcastic text was abrasive and I did not enjoy it. I eventually stopped reading that part and stuck to the information about the different ladies, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The fact bubbles about the different women and their contributions and why those actions were important were VERY WELL DONE! My other complaint would be that the pages were over-loaded with information as to be overwhelming. In addition to the narrative portion and the individual fact bubbles, there was a running timeline of events in the war at the bottom of the page. It was a nice touch that ended up being superfluous and just tipped the scale into too-much to look at.
February 25, 2022
THIS is what I hoping for from Cokie Roberts' Founding Mothers book. This is a balanced, factual take on some of the women who played a key role in the American Revolution. It doesn't shy away from more troubling facts, and it is well-researched. There are plenty of cited sources, so if one person in particular catches a kid's fancy, there are places to go for more info. This is also funny. While I am glad that so much information is packed into it, The footnotes do get to be a bit much.
April 27, 2017
Did not like this brand of humor.
September 13, 2009
Genre: Informative
Copyright: 2008
The American Revolution is one of the most important periods in the history of the United States. We know the key events and people who helped the U.S. gain its independence from Britain: Paul Revere and his famous ride, George Washington and crossing the Delaware, The signing of the Declaration of Independence, etc.
It's easy to overlook the many people who helped contribute in their own ways, especially during a time where women were not considered equals among men, but many women played key roles in America's time of need. Have you ever heard of Sybil Ludington? How about Jane Thomas? "Independent Dames" is a book full of rich and historic events where women are the main focus and showcases the events that these brave and heroic women took part of.
One of the things I loved about this book was the time-line which ran on the bottom of each page. The book's illustrations are great! The illustrator adds humor and great "bubble captions" that enhance the story even more.
This book is great for students studying the American revolution, yet may be too difficult to read for younger students. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about America's past, as well as the characters who helped shape the history of our United States.
Copyright: 2008
The American Revolution is one of the most important periods in the history of the United States. We know the key events and people who helped the U.S. gain its independence from Britain: Paul Revere and his famous ride, George Washington and crossing the Delaware, The signing of the Declaration of Independence, etc.
It's easy to overlook the many people who helped contribute in their own ways, especially during a time where women were not considered equals among men, but many women played key roles in America's time of need. Have you ever heard of Sybil Ludington? How about Jane Thomas? "Independent Dames" is a book full of rich and historic events where women are the main focus and showcases the events that these brave and heroic women took part of.
One of the things I loved about this book was the time-line which ran on the bottom of each page. The book's illustrations are great! The illustrator adds humor and great "bubble captions" that enhance the story even more.
This book is great for students studying the American revolution, yet may be too difficult to read for younger students. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about America's past, as well as the characters who helped shape the history of our United States.
July 4, 2013
Absolutely Delightful book full of fascinating stories of the women of the American Revolution. It really gives one an appreciation of what it takes to keep an army of men functional.........and that is an army of women.
Finally, their story is being delightfully told in this very informative and entertaining book!
HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Finally, their story is being delightfully told in this very informative and entertaining book!
HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
November 17, 2008
Learn about unknown yet important historical women of the American Revolution including spies, soldiers, writers, and leaders in the rebellion. Cartoon like illustrations and text with a timeline to follow at the bottom of the page. A great book!
January 12, 2009
This is a great book for elementary students. It's cleverly written to inform and entertain the readers with facts about these women who made contributions to our country but who are rarely mentioned in traditional history books.
June 18, 2015
Breathtaking, informative, empowering. This edgy, unique portrait of our most important war boldly unearths true history, not just the male half, with no apology. A must-read for every student of the American Revolution.
October 9, 2019
"Tho A Female, I Was Born A Patriot And Can't Help It If I Would."
"We feel Nationaly!"
"None Were Greater Politicians Than The Several Knots Of Ladies..."
"I Take Leave To Congratulate My Fair Country-Woman On The Happy Revolution Which The Few Past Years Has Made In Their Favour;"
// Mason-Dixon Line // To His Excellency General Washington //
TRAVELED TO // the 13 Colonies during the American Revolution
MET ALONG THE WAY // Sybil Ludington, Deborah Champion, Hannah Griffitts , Mary Torr Thompson, Daughters Of Liberty, Susan Boudinot, Betsy Foot & Charity Clarke, Phillis Wheatley, Prudence Wright & Sarah Shattuck, Mom Rinker,Elizabeth Burgin, Annis Boudinot Stockton, Eliza Wilkinson, Polly Cooper, Margaret Morris, Margaret Corbin, Martha Washington, Catherine Greene, Rebecca Biddle, Lucy Knox, Sarah Hull, Molly Pitcher, Deborah Sampson, Anna Marie Lane, Tyonajanegen, Ann (Nancy) Baily, Sally St. Clair, Jane Thomas, Nancy Hart, Ann Hennis Bailey, Kate Barry, Ester de Berdt Reed, Martha Jefferson, Rachel Wells, Abigail Adams, Mary Katherine Goddard, Jane Burgess, Elizabeth Hager, Mercy Otis Warren, Judith Sargent Murray, Lydia Darraghs
January 30, 2018
Anderson, Laurie Halse Independent Dames, illustrated by Matt Faulkner. Simon and Schuster, 2008. PICTURE BOOK.
Slowly the women of the American Revolution are gaining the recognition that they deserve. Anderson’s book brings these women’s storied to the elementary age with her picture book which can be read on several levels. Each page has an illustration, accompanying explanation, a more detailed blurb about a particular woman and detailed information on the timeline running below each page. The information is rich enough that almost every level of American History teacher can use this in their classroom.
EL – ESSENTIAL, MS – ADVISABLE, HS – OPTIONAL. Cindy, Library-Teacher.
Slowly the women of the American Revolution are gaining the recognition that they deserve. Anderson’s book brings these women’s storied to the elementary age with her picture book which can be read on several levels. Each page has an illustration, accompanying explanation, a more detailed blurb about a particular woman and detailed information on the timeline running below each page. The information is rich enough that almost every level of American History teacher can use this in their classroom.
EL – ESSENTIAL, MS – ADVISABLE, HS – OPTIONAL. Cindy, Library-Teacher.
March 27, 2018
Non-fiction reads about empowering woman of history are my favorite books to share with children; Independent Dames is filled with them. That being said this was not a great format for the quantity of information that Laurie Halse Anderson was trying to deliver. There was just the smallest amount of information on each of the woman presented, making none of them particularly memorable. Instead I would love to see this put out as a collection of mini-biographies, especially since many of these women do not have one available about them for school age readers and listeners.
June 29, 2024
I thought this one was really fun. Goes through a ton of "dames" that helped the colonists win the American Revolution. Did you know that a girl rode 40 miles to warn colonists that the British were coming? Paul Revere only rode 16 miles, but he's the one we remember. Great for elementary-school aged kids and up, as the facts of war are not something you want to discuss with your toddler. And they use a light hand with the subject, which I appreciate, but it does convey that war is not something fun to live through.
March 3, 2017
I really enjoyed this book that I happened upon in a high school English class, while substituting. It's a great introduction to some of the strongest women of the American Revolution. The artwork and writing are done so well. Definitely worth the 5 minutes it takes to read it!
June 16, 2018
Definitely on the shelf for next Revolutionary War unit. I love Faulkner’s illustrations that pair perfectly with the extensive information and notes from Anderson. Great job of providing lots of info in small bits and sketches!
June 30, 2023
While I don't doubt women's contribution to the Revolution (as throughout history), the writing style, tone, and even illustrations of this book were off-putting: it comes across as a feminist rant, rather than historical patriotism.
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May 9, 2024I appreciate reading some of the lesser known stories of women who served their country. I did find the tone very feminist in nature but I just skimmed over some of the sentiments and kept to the facts.
September 28, 2017
good info but tons on a page that I didn't read.
March 26, 2018
Informative and funny. Great class resource when studying the American Revolution.
April 13, 2018
Thorough and funny
May 18, 2018
his fic. I loved how it brought facts to women and how they helped my country form. I enjoyed how it showed the feminist side of how she writes.
May 12, 2019
Packed full of interesting stories of women and girls in the American revolution. Excellent!!
November 21, 2019
My favorite part in this book is the parts where it told stories about individual women and the things they did to help in the American Revolution. I could use this book in my class when learning about powerful women in history or lessons on the American Revolution.
April 20, 2020
Selah picked out this gem, and it was a fun read!
June 1, 2020
Educational and interesting! I plan on using it in my 5th grade classroom when we cover the American Revolution.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews