This 88-page biography was named a 2011 Robert F. Sibert Informational Honor Book. The Medal "is awarded annually to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished informational book published in English during the preceding year" by the American Library Association.

It's a very readable account of the life of the Marquis de Lafayette, illustrated with mostly-period paintings, drawings, and documents. As the title indicates, Freedman focuses mainly on Lafayette's involvement with the American Revolution, but also addresses his early life and his later involvement with the French Revolution. Freedman ends the book with a time line, source notes, selected bibliography (with commentary), picture credits, and index. The book made me want to learn even more about Lafayette (and especially his wife Adrienne, who sounds particularly intriguing). It's an outstanding addition to Freedman's fine repertoire of biography and history.

© Amanda Pape - 2011 ( )

This is an informational text that is written in a narrative style. It covers the lesser known events and people that are attached to Frances alliance with the US during the American Revolution. I think this book does a very good job of showing a lesser known and not as often seen side to an event that everyone learns about in school. This book could also create a new interest by providing information they haven't heard before.

Media: photographs

Uses: -good informational book on US history and the revolution
-good introduction to more textbook like informational texts

This biography of Lafayette includes beautiful primary source documents and illustrations to support the information provided. Timeline included at the end.

Anothger exceptionally written, handsomely illustrated historical biography from Russell Freedman. ( )

Very, very dry. It has a lot of useful information, but I wouldn't put it for any younger than 5th grade. It is like trudging through a textbook. I'm not sure it'd be worth it to spend the money on it for a classroom library. It's one of those books that is so in depth that I didn't even feel that I learned much of anything. There was just too much to absorb, ( )