A Spy Called James: The True Story of James Lafayette, Revolutionary War Double Agent
By Anne Rockwell and Floyd Cooper
4/5
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About this ebook
Told for the first time in picture book form is the true story of James Lafayette—an enslaved person who spied for George Washington's army during the American Revolution.
After his resounding defeat at the battle of Yorktown, British general Charles Cornwallis made a point of touring the American camp, looking for the reason behind his loss. What he didn’t expect to see was James, an escaped enslaved person who had served as a guide to the British army. Or at least that’s what Cornwallis was led to believe. In fact, James wasn’t actually a runaway—he was a spy for the American army.
But while America celebrated its newfound freedom, James returned to slavery in Virginia. His service as a spy hadn't qualified him for the release he'd been hoping for. For James the fight wasn't over; his next adversary was the Virginia General Assembly. He'd already helped his country gain its freedom, now it was time to win his own.
Anne Rockwell
Anne Rockwell is the author of Hey, Charleston!:The True Story of the Jenkins Orphanage Band, which was a Junior Library Guild Selection. She lives in Stamford, Connecticut.
Read more from Anne Rockwell
Open the Door to Liberty!: A Biography of Toussaint L'Ouverture Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Hey, Charleston!: The True Story of the Jenkins Orphanage Band Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
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Reviews for A Spy Called James
15 ratings2 reviews
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Rockwell, Anne. A Spy Called James. 1 CD. unabridged. 14 min. Dreamscape Media. ISBN. 9781520066172. The true story of James Lafayette, a revolutionary double agent will captivate and anger young listeners as they learn about the incredible dangers that James, an American slave, took while trying to secure America's freedom from the British as well as earning his own from his slave masters. At great danger to himself James became a spy for both the British and the American armies and played a pivotal role in helping win some major battles and ultimately the war. Realizing too late that freedom was only promised to enslaved soldiers not spies, James had to fight to free himself from the very people he just helped win their own independence. Captivatingly narrated by Rodney Gardiner, the audiobook also includes a page turn track. Perfect for young readers wanting to know more about the Revolutionary War and African American History - Erin Cataldi, Johnson Co. Public Library, Franklin, IN
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5* I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*Overall Rating: 4 out of 5I very much appreciate this book for existing in the first place — it’s a wonderful idea to introduce children to stories like these at a young age, especially stories like James’s are hardly ever told in schools. At least, they weren’t very often told in my schools when I was younger, but I hope that’s changing. As the description says, James Lafayette was a spy for George Washington’s Army during the American Revolution, and had to fight to obtain the rights that were given to other former slaves who served in the army because “spies” were not generally covered under the agreement that was made between slaves and the newly formed American government.The story itself is simply told in a language that children will understand, but covers all the details. And I love the illustrations. They’re soft water-color type illustrations with a lot of blended colors and soft lines. It’s very child-friendly and I know I enjoyed looking at the pictures, so I think they might, too.I could see this being in a classroom for children to enjoy during free reading time, or even have it being read aloud to children as part of a history lesson. And, of course, it’s a nice addition to the home library, especially for a history-lover.Originally posted on Going on to the Next.