Annotation: The name Benedict Arnold is synonymous with traitor - but the real story may not be that simple.
Justification for Nomination: Good vs. Evil. This is the central narrative of so many stories that often we forget that truth is seldom that obvious.
Sheinkin delves into the complex character of a man who's life has been reduced in popular culture to a children's lesson of right versus wrong. Young adults are at a time in their lives where they must learn to look past what appears to be black and white and discover the shades of gray. The real story of Benedict Arnold is, as the title suggests, one of "adventure, heroism, and treachery," but it is also a portrait of a man who faced an enormous decision that changed the course of American history. Who among us has had to make a difficult choice that would affect the lives of so many?
History is a topic many people try to avoid as it has often been presented in a dry and lifeless format. But, as the old saying goes, "History repeats itself," there is a lot to learn from the events of the past that can help us to avoid mistakes in the present and future. But does learning about the past have to be boring? Not at all, if this book is any indication. History lessons can be elevated from the rote fact-spewing format of the textbook into literature that engages and transforms.
It is important in this day and age where information passes from person to person, nation to nation in the blink of an eye, that teens understand the power of the media to influence our perception of people and events. A book like this one may lead to the realization that perhaps there is more to a story or "sound bite" than meets the eye, and that it is wise to have more information before drawing conclusions.
Was Benedict Arnold the monster we read about who betrayed his country and almost lost us the Revolutionary War? Was he a hero that without him, the United States would never have come into being? Maybe yes, maybe no - or maybe both. It's left to the reader to decide what he or she thinks.
Genre Category: General Nonfiction; Historical Fact; Adventure
Justification for Nomination: Good vs. Evil. This is the central narrative of so many stories that often we forget that truth is seldom that obvious.
Sheinkin delves into the complex character of a man who's life has been reduced in popular culture to a children's lesson of right versus wrong. Young adults are at a time in their lives where they must learn to look past what appears to be black and white and discover the shades of gray. The real story of Benedict Arnold is, as the title suggests, one of "adventure, heroism, and treachery," but it is also a portrait of a man who faced an enormous decision that changed the course of American history. Who among us has had to make a difficult choice that would affect the lives of so many?
History is a topic many people try to avoid as it has often been presented in a dry and lifeless format. But, as the old saying goes, "History repeats itself," there is a lot to learn from the events of the past that can help us to avoid mistakes in the present and future. But does learning about the past have to be boring? Not at all, if this book is any indication. History lessons can be elevated from the rote fact-spewing format of the textbook into literature that engages and transforms.
It is important in this day and age where information passes from person to person, nation to nation in the blink of an eye, that teens understand the power of the media to influence our perception of people and events. A book like this one may lead to the realization that perhaps there is more to a story or "sound bite" than meets the eye, and that it is wise to have more information before drawing conclusions.
Was Benedict Arnold the monster we read about who betrayed his country and almost lost us the Revolutionary War? Was he a hero that without him, the United States would never have come into being? Maybe yes, maybe no - or maybe both. It's left to the reader to decide what he or she thinks.
Genre Category: General Nonfiction; Historical Fact; Adventure
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