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Type of bind: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 973.75092
EAN num: 9780689830228
ISBN number: 068983022X
Label: Atheneum
Manufacturer: Atheneum
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 48
Printing Date: April 01, 2002
Publishing house: Atheneum
Age index: Ages 9-12
Sale Popularity Level: 1216022
Studio: Atheneum
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
At age ten, David Glasgow Farragut became the youngest midshipman ever assigned to a warship in the U. S. Navy. At roughly the same age as a fifth grader would be today, Farragut had his commission papers signed by President James Madison and then reported aboard the Essex to engage the British Navy in battle during the War of 1812. On board the Essex, led by Captain Porter, Farragut would not only have to learn much about life at sea, he would have to establish his authority over seamen twice his age. Was he up to the challenge?
Indeed he was, as the Essex very first sailed the Atlantic and then traveled 'around the Horn' to the Pacific where it surprised and took possession of British warships and whaling vessels alike. In fact, it was in taking command of one of those captured ships off of Valparaiso, Chile, that Farragut, then only twelve years old, was assigned his very first position as full captain and was given the captain's sword he had coveted from the start.
In Take Command, Captain Farragut!, Peter and Connie Roop imagine a series of letters written by Farragut to his father while on a prison ship after the British eventually defeated and captured the Essex. The letters tell of Farragut's drive to excel despite his youth, and bring to life both his courage and confidence in facing challenges far beyond his years.
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Rated by buyers -
Personally, I love this story. Other than the DC metro stop, I had never heard of Farragut. I learned so much about him in this book.
However, my son who is in the latter end of the book's age target spectrum said, "Mom, this story is confusing." I had to agree, it is definitely not a straightforward read. The sequence of events is presented in somewhat reverse order. Also, it is written in the very formal style of early 1800's American English. Because I was interested in the content, I did not let these facts hinder me.
With that said, this book is probably better suited as a "read-aloud". This will help young readers overcome the style and plot barriers. They are worth overcoming as the actual information will be quite inspiring and exciting to young readers.
Farragut started sailing as a very young boy with his dad on Lake Pontchartrain. Upon his mom's death 9 year old Farragut was sent to live with the family of Commodore David Porter. At 10 Farragut was appointed midshipman on Porter's boat, the Essex. By 12 he'd captained a ship (captured British whaler, the Barclay).
This story might have captured my son's imagination a little more quickly if it had been written in simpler style and if the plot had been more straightforward. At the same time, I feel that the author's approach helps give the reader a good feel for the type of person Farragut was.
I'm glad I purchased it, and will read it aloud to my children.
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