The Notorious Benedict Arnold: A True Story of Adventure, Heroism & Treachery by Steve Sheinkin

Summary

     The Notorious Benedict Arnold tells the life story of revolutionary Benedict Arnold.   Though most will remember Benedict Arnold as being the country’s first traitor. But he was also one of the country’s greatest war heroes.  The book explores the life of Benedict with his birth until his death in 1801.  The book examines how Arnold should be considered as one of America’s greatest American Hero describing his contributions to the revolutionary war including the Battle of Valcour Island and the Battle of Saratoga.  It also chronicles his treason towards his country that occurred with his plotting of Major Andre, the British officer; Arnold conspired to help turn West Point over to the British.  The books are one that will have its readers in awe once they learn about the entire history of this man.  

Commentary on Strengths

     The Notorious Benedict Arnold is a Historical Nonfiction book written by Steve Sheinkin.  The books are a biography of the American Revolutionaries greatest heroes and first traitor.  It is written with first person accounts, and amazing battle scenes.  Though this is a non-fiction book; the reader will be able to get lost in the story which reads more like an adventure novel than a biography. Mr. Sheinkin did an outstanding job researching the life of this man; which is evident in the source notes of the book.   It is the recipient of the 2011 Boston Globe – Horn Book Award for Nonfiction.    

Readers also enjoyed Music was IT: Young Leonard Bernstein by Susan Goldman Rubin; Wheels of Change: How Women Rode the Bicycle to Freedom by Sue Macy; The War to End all Wars: World War I by Russell Freedman; Witches: The Absolutely True Tale of Disaster in Salem by Roselyn Schanzer; and TruceL The Day the Soldiers Stopped Fighting by Jim Murphy

Additional books by Steve Sheinkin are Undefeated: Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team  Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War; The Port Chicago 50: Disaster, Mutiny, and the Fight for Civil Rights;; Lincoln's Grave Robbers; and Rabbi Harvey vs. The Wisdom Kid: A Graphic Novel of Dueling

Teaching ideas to incorporate this book into your lesson plans can be found at the following website:  http://www.theclassroombookshelf.com/2012/02/2012-yalsa-award-for-excellence-in-nonfiction/

 Sheinkin, S. (2010). The notorious Benedict Arnold: a true story of adventure, heroism, and bravery. New York: Roaring Brook Press.

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