Patriots, Redcoats & Spies.
By Robert J. Skead with Robert A. Skead.
Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zonderkidz, 2015.
As reviewed by Ted Odenwald
Focusing on the dangerous and exciting adventures of 14-year-old twin brothers, Ambrose and John Clark, Patriots, Redcoats & Spies offers young readers insights into the world of Revolutionary War America. Residents of Connecticut, the boys are required to embark on a hazardous journey to deliver a critical message to General George Washington. Their travels will acquaint today’s readers through this historical novel with the challenges facing patriots in a time of deadly conflict: land travel through difficult terrain; danger posed by the enemy, represented by two vicious Redcoats, whose mission is to intercept and assassinate a spy courier; Tories, whose sympathies toward the British crown pose hidden threats to American patriots; outliers, thieves who prey upon vulnerable travelers; and even Continental Army troops, ever alert to the infiltration of spies. The novel emphasizes the difficulties of organizational communications. Couriers are needed to rush information long distances—haste being essential lest intelligence arrive too late. Additionally, the novel highlights Oakland’s role in the war, as General Washington has set up temporary headquarters at the Van Allen Farm on Ramapo Valley Road, in an area that is not unanimously supportive of the American army.
In July of 1777, the Clark brothers learn that their father, Lamberton, is a courier for a patriot spy ring. Unfortunately, this discovery comes at the father’s expense; their following him has impeded his attempt to deliver a vital message to General Washington, who is encamped in northern New Jersey. As the three sail on Long Island Sound from Long Island to Connecticut, a British soldier shoots Lamberton in the shoulder, causing considerable bleeding and pain. Desperate to complete his mission, but unable to continue, the father entrusts his sons with the dangerous job of delivering the letter. Most of this novel, written primarily for pre-teen and young teen readers, focuses on John and Ambrose’s challenging journey from their home state to Oakland, pursued by two vicious “Lobsterbacks,” who have been alerted by a Tory informant about a spy courier. Walking into a town, the boys encounter the friendly Connecticut militia; having been warned to trust no one, they decide to steal horses in order to increase their rate of travel. There is danger here, as horse-stealing is punishable by hanging. Their journey nearly ends at the Kings Ferry crossing of the North (Hudson) River. The boys claim to have no money to pay the ferryman, but Ambrose, whose many talents include accurate knife-throwing, earns their fee by defeating the ferryman in a contest of throwing knives at a target. The British pursuers, realizing that their quarry, whom they still believe to be one person, is not the original target, dress in civilian clothes and attempt to intercept the courier by appearing to be common travelers.
The excitement of this pursuit is heightened when the boys’ horses and weapons are stolen by thieves, thus endangering their mission, for the letter is hidden in the hollowed stock of one of their muskets. This delay obviously gives the pursuing British the chance to capture and torture John. The young heroes are apparently safe after Ambrose rescues John, disables the two British, and turns the captives over to the Connecticut militiaman whose horse the boys had “borrowed.” However, they find that they are still in danger when they enter the encampment of the Continental Army; they must prove that they are not British spies—and they must turn their information over to no one but Washington. As it turns out, their mission has been vital, as it exposes a dangerous plot.
Ambrose and John’s efforts are definitely heroic. Their behavior under pressure is a credit to their upbringing—for they have shown that they share their father’s total dedication to his country. They have shown that they can act intelligently, maturely, and resourcefully when confronted by danger. They have also shown that though frightened at times, they have always kept their mission as their main objective.
Editor’s note: The Co-Authors, Robert J. Skead and Robert A. Skead recently visited the Oakland Library for a book discussion and signing. The painting for the cover of the book is on display behind the librarian’s desk in the Children’s section. Stop by and take a look. Also, keep a lookout for their next book signing which will be at the Van Allen House in the near future!
The Authors at the book discussion at The Oakland Public Library.
Ted Odenwald and his wife, Shirley have lived in Oakland for 45 years. He taught HS English at Glen Rock High School for all of those years plus one more. Now he is enjoying time spent with his family, singing in the North Jersey Chorus and quenching his wanderlust. Ted is also the Worship Leader at the Ramapo Valley Baptist Church in Oakland.