A Spy Called James: The True Story of James Lafayette, Revolutionary War Double Agent

by Anne Rockwell, Floyd Cooper (Illustrator)

Overview

Told for the first time in picture book form is the true story of James Lafayette—an enslaved person who spied for George Washington's army during the American Revolution.

After his resounding defeat at the battle of Yorktown, British general Charles Cornwallis made a point of touring the American camp, looking for the reason behind his loss. What he didn’t expect to see was James, an escaped enslaved person who had served as a guide to the British army. Or at least that’s what Cornwallis was led to believe. In fact, James wasn’t actually a runaway—he was a spy for the American army.

But while America celebrated its newfound freedom, James returned to slavery in Virginia. His service as a spy hadn't qualified him for the release he'd been hoping for. For James the fight wasn't over; his next adversary was the Virginia General Assembly. He'd already helped his country gain its freedom, now it was time to win his own.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781467790598
Publisher:	Lerner Publishing Group
Publication date:	11/01/2016
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
File size:	27 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	7 - 11 Years

About the Author

Floyd Cooper (1956-2021) was a Coretta Scott King Award winner and illustrator of numerous books for children including Ruth and the Green Book, A Spy Called James, and Max and the Tag-Along Moon. Unspeakable, one of his final picture books, was a National Book Award longlist title, a Sibert Honor book, and a Caldecott Honor book. He received a degree in fine arts from the University of Oklahoma and went on to develop a distinctive art technique called oil erasure. 

Editorial Reviews

"Rockwell's detailed yet accessible text is perfectly matched with Cooper's exceptional oil paintings. . . . A profoundly successful work."—starred, School Library Journal

From the Publisher

James, an enslaved man who took the surname Lafayette, thanks to his wartime benefactor, served as a double agent for Washington’s army during the American Revolution and then was returned to slavery. Narrator Rodney Gardiner, in a confident, deep voice, delivers Anne Rockwell’s spare text with respect and authenticity. Brief gaps correspond with page turns, inviting listeners to examine the illustrated book. Background sound effects—countryside songbirds, tramping feet in army encampments—are unobtrusive but sometimes seem superfluous. The most confusing element of the production is the placement of the author’s note. The background information on James is important and interesting—but on the recording is situated after the closing credits, which to most listeners signify the end of the audiobook. C.M.A. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine

JANUARY 2018 - AudioFile