Children's author and artist Don Brown, whose many works of non-fiction for younger readers include biographies such as Uncommon Traveler: Mary Kingsley in Africa and histories like Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans, turns in this slender volume to the subject of the American Revolution. Specifically, to the battles of Lexington and Concord, which heralded the beginning of that conflict. After setting the scene with some background, Brown describes the British march from Boston, the initial "shot heard round the world," and the resulting fighting on that April day in 1775. He describes a number of well-known and more obscure incidents, and concludes with a discussion of what happened to some of the people mentioned in the text. A bibliography is included at the rear...

Let It Begin Here!: April 19, 1775: The Day the American Revolution Began is the second book from Brown's Actual Times series that I have read, following upon his America Is Under Attack: September 11, 2001: The Day the Towers Fell. This series is meant to highlight momentous days in history, days which altered the course of human events, and changed the world. April 19, 1775 is certainly one such day, and Brown captures the excitement and chaos that unfolded as the British met with the first real armed resistance in their conflict with the American colonists. Some of the stories here were unknown to me - the surrender of a group of Redcoats to the elderly Mother Batherick, the part played by seventy-eight-year-old Samuel Whittemore, who survived habing half his face shot off and being bayoneted fourteen times - while others, such as the ride of Paul Revere, were already familiar. On the whole I enjoyed the book, and think it would make an excellent addition to a study unit on the American Revolution. I would recommend it for that purpose, as well as for the young reader interested in history. For my part, I intend to read more in the Actual Times series. ( )

This is history you may have missed ... did you know that first day of the revolution, a small group of British soldiers surrendered to an old woman? ( )

Although I've purchased most, if not all, of Don Brown's easy historical nonfiction, I've never actually read one. However, as I was choosing books for the kids at my book club to choose from last spring, I thought the I Survived fans might enjoy this author so I borrowed one to read, so I could better booktalk it.

It starts with a simple explanation of the events leading up to the first, bloody battle at Lexington. The story continues through the events and personalities until the battle and its aftermath are over. The book finishes with a recap of what happened to the main players and a brief bibliography.

The book is formatted like a small picture book, about 9 x 7 inches. It's small enough not to be daunting, but doesn't look so much like a picture book that it will turn off kids who don't want to read "baby books". The story is illustrated throughout with Brown's watercolors, which are at turns sad, bloody, and occasionally humorous.

This is narrative nonfiction at its best. The story of the battle reads smoothly, including key events, dates, and people in a natural way within the flow of the story. Although the book doesn't shy away from the grim realities of war, the watercolors soften the blood and gore and it's not excessively graphic. Sensitive children may want to avoid this, but it's not inappropriate for the average 2nd to 3rd grade reader.

Verdict: This series definitely deserves the many positive reviews it has received and makes a great recommendation for younger readers interested in history. Recommended.

ISBN: 9781596432215; Published 2008 by Roaring Brook; Borrowed from the library

Presents an account of the American Revolution, a fictional hero named Flinty Whittemore, who fought the British valiantly and lived to tell the story.

A simple re-telling of the events that occurred on the first day of the American Revolution. It is not particularly compelling reading, but wth minimal pages, and many water-color and pencil illustrations, this is a suitable book for younger readers - grades 4-6. Brown makes good use of quotations whenever possible. Overall, an attractive and accurate account. ( )