Toliver's Secret

by Esther Wood Brady and Richard Cuffari

Book Overview

When her grandfather is injured, 10-year-old Ellen Toliver replaces him on a top-secret patriotic mission. Disguised as a boy, she manages to smuggle a message to General George Washington.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0679848045
• ISBN13: 9780679848042
• Release Date: October 1993
• Publisher: Yearling Books
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.34 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.1" x 7.5"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

Great Historical Fiction for Kids!

This book was a perfect novel to illustrate the perils of war, and the American Revolution for my fifth grade class. I used it as the middle level novel for my American Revolution literature circles. It worked extremely well, and I felt my average readers got as much out of our studies as my advanced readers who were able to read a more challenging novel. I highly recommend this book.

A book for brave kids by Rauhit.

This is an excellent and cool book. It is very interesting.It is about a timid girl who learns to be brave.Once I started reading the book I got lost in it. This book teaches you how to fight bullies.This book will give you an idea about life during the revolutionary war. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys adventures and is brave.

Toliver's Secret - Historical Fiction With a Good Lesson

I used this novel to teach a summer reading class for fourth and fifth grade students. Our theme was the American Revolution. Toliver's Secret is about a timid girl who is asked to help the Patriots by delivering a secret message, hidden in a loaf of bread, to a courier. As the simple plan becomes complicated, she learns to be more self-confident and to believe in herself. Even though the story is set in the past, young readers can relate to her emotions in a timeless manner. I would use this book again to enhance discussion about the American Revolution and to learn about the importance of overcoming fears that get in the way of accomplishments.

This is an outstanding piece of historical fiction.

This is an outstanding piece of historical fiction for young readers. It can be used in a classroom to bring the Revolutionary War alive in the minds of young readers. You take every step with Ellen Toliver and hold your breath with every obstacle she faces. Ten year old Ellen changes from a timid, shy girl to a confident, spunky girl,and young readers can identify with her feelings. The ending satisfies the reader's need for closure to Ellen's adventures, but it also leaves the reader with a question to wonder about. I couldn't put this book down the first time I read it. My fourth grade students want a sequel!

An adventure story with lots of heart

If you have a son who won't pick up a book written about a girl, his life is about to change. Set during the Revolutionary War, this book chronicles a few days in the life of Ellen, a young girl tapped to act as a spy on her grandfather's behalf. The author has crafted a book about relationships, history, and courage while keeping the level of adventure and excitement intense. We couldn't put the book down. In fact, we all got so into it, that we ended up reading it aloud. Don't miss this exceptional opportunity to let your children identify with the dilemmas and the courage of the young Ellen Toliver