Where Was Patrick Henry on the 29th of May? (by Jean Fritz)

May 29, Patrick Henry's birthday, was occasionally an eventful date in his life of Patrick Henry -- he was elected Virginia's governor. Youngsters will enjoy the book's early passages, with ample description of kid's stuff: swimming holes, walks in the woods, fishing. The second half outlines Henry's adult life, which parallels one of the most significant eras in American history.

The background information in the author's note could have been easily absorbed into the text; doing so would have made some passages more interesting. While the drawings are simple, the most interesting illustrations show off Henry's many personalities: the lazy youth reclining on a sack of salt; the inspired, wildly gesturing orator.