Written &
Illustrated by Jonathon Scott Fuqua
Daniel is a young elementary student who is bored by
history. It puts him “asleep.” He is so bored by history that on his latest
homework assignment, a report on the War of 1812, he makes things up to enliven
it which has earned him a grade of “Terrible!”
scribbled across the top of the page by his teacher. Despondently he begins the long walk home and
he worries that his Mom and Dad will be furious with him.
Daniel’s walk of shame is interrupted by a talking raven
named Calvert, who can’t believe that Daniel thinks history is boring. Upon the urging of Calvert, Daniel touches
his wing and mysteriously finds himself shrunken, riding on the back of Calvert
and being transported backward through time to 1814 and the Battle of
Baltimore.
Swooping among the soldiers and sailors, over land and water,
through bullets, rockets and the blue-gray gunpowder smoke Calvin and Daniel
witness the battle and the Bombardment of Fort McHenry, and back to the future
to see that Daniel gets home in time for supper. Before he departs Calvert urges Daniel to go
home and rewrite his paper, even if his teacher does not change his grade. With a new outlook on history Daniel can’t
wait to get home and do just that.
Calvert the Raven in The Battle of Baltimore is a delightful
book for children. It’s alternating
pages of text and very well executed illustrations are bound to draw in young
readers and leave them with the knowledge that history is not boring.
ISBN 978-1610880770, Bancroft Press, © 2013, Hardcover, 32
Pages, 10.8 x 7.4 x 0.4 inches. $17.99. To
Purchase the book click HERE.
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