Reviews for BY THE SWORD

“The visceral narrative captures Tallmadge's involvement in that battle, from his first shot at a fellow human being to his return to the battlefield to retrieve his horse, and also limns the emotional state of an untried soldier as he begins to square his beliefs with the reality of their cost. Farnsworth's oil on linen canvas illustrations are likewise thoroughly researched and do a sound job of depicting conditions and the times...this is an excellent introduction to the use of primary-source material to create a plausible historical narrative that also adds a human face.”
— Ann Welton, School Library Journal

“[It’s] a book that moves and touches, and makes one think!”
— Josephine Nobisso, author of John Blair and the Great Hinckley Fire & In English, Of Course.


 “...it is the body of language that gives the book strength...It's all there - voice, pacing, attention to historical detail and to sensory detail, characterization, and precision use of language, particularly in [the] selection of nouns and verbs - the dynamic forces behind all story elements. Even time shifts and mood shifts are handled deftly without ever jarring the reader from the content of the tale.”
— Brian Heinz, author of The Wolves & The Monster’s Test

Pre-teens in particular will benefit from the history lessons in two books from Calkins Creek, a Honesdale, PA publisher. Both are by Selene Castrovilla. By the Sword ($17.95) is about the Revolutionary War and the adventures of a young teacher who sacrifices his career to join George Washington’s army, engaging in the Battle of Long Island. Beautifully illustrated by Bill Farnsworth, it is a great way for a young reader, aged 7-10, to learn about the Revolution while being entertained by a first class story. Her other book, Upon Secrecy ($17.95) deals with the end of the Revolutionary War as the French fleet is soon to arrive and bottle up the British at Yorktown. Keeping it a secret, yet knowing of their arrival is essential to Washington and trusted spies aid him. Illustrated by Jeff Crosby and Shelley Ann Jackson, this too is history at its best for the younger reader.
— Book Reviews by Alan Caruba

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