A Spy Called James
The True Story of James Lafayette, Revolutionary War Double Agent
1 of 1 copy available
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Creators
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Publisher
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Release date
January 31, 2017 -
Formats
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OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9781666603200
- File size: 6379 KB
- Duration: 00:13:17
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Languages
- English
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Levels
- Lexile® Measure: 940
- Text Difficulty: 4-6
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Reviews
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James, an enslaved man who took the surname Lafayette, thanks to his wartime benefactor, served as a double agent for Washington's army during the American Revolution and then was returned to slavery. Narrator Rodney Gardiner, in a confident, deep voice, delivers Anne Rockwell's spare text with respect and authenticity. Brief gaps correspond with page turns, inviting listeners to examine the illustrated book. Background sound effects--countryside songbirds, tramping feet in army encampments--are unobtrusive but sometimes seem superfluous. The most confusing element of the production is the placement of the author's note. The background information on James is important and interesting--but on the recording is situated after the closing credits, which to most listeners signify the end of the audiobook. C.M.A. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine -
September 5, 2016
Rockwell (Hey, Charleston!) delivers a striking portrait of James Lafayette, an African-American spy critical to the outcome of the Revolutionary War. Enslaved by a Virginia farmer and known only as James, he worked with the French general Marquis de Lafayette (whose
surname James later adopted) in exchange for freedom. Pretending to be a runaway slave, James infiltrated British troops, and “information he passed to Lafayette allowed the colonial army to trap Cornwallis at Yorktown.” The succinct narrative explains a complicated wartime story using a conversational tone (General Lafayette is “the French general with names to spare”). Cooper’s (Ira’s Shakespeare Dream) appealing oil-and-erasure illustrations affirm his skill as a gifted portrait artist. Settings recede into the background as close-ups of James, George Washington, Charles Cornwallis, and others bring emotion to the tale, revealing feelings of dejection, pride, and determination. Final pages and an author’s note explain how James continued to fight for his freedom several years after the war and how Lafayette aided him in securing it. Ages 7–11. Author’s agent: Michael Bourret, Dystel & Goderich Literary Management.
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