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Writers Inspiring Change feature book: Liberty-Loving Lafayette

Updated: Mar 24



A profound moment in America's history


2020 Royal Dragonfly Book Awards

Second place: history/nonfiction category Honorable mention: young adult/nonfiction category

2020 Independent Author Network Book of the Year Awards

Honorable mention: history/nonfiction category

Honorable mention: young adult/nonfiction category


Inspired by the Broadway hit, HAMILTON, and by Longfellow's "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere," author Dorothea Jensen wrote this short rhyming narrative about the Marquis de Lafayette and his crucial role in our Revolutionary War. A glossary and extensive endnotes supply further information about the historical figures and events mentioned in the poem. This playful historical account is aimed at young and older adults. It would be entertaining and educational to perform in a classroom or other settings, such as events celebrating the upcoming bicentennial of Lafayette's 1824-5 Farewell Tour of America.


A Few Things You Will Learn from this Book:

  • Who the unlikely person was who inspired Lafayette to help America.

  • How Lafayette's powerful father-in-law tried to discourage his plan.

  • Why such a high rank was given to an inexperienced 19-year-old.

  • How Lafayette helped strengthen the crucial French Alliance.

  • What Lafayette's key successes were as a military commander in America.

Jensen has previously written two historical novels for young readers (middle graders and young adults) about Lafayette and about the American Revolution. These are entitled A BUSS FROM LAFAYETTE, and THE RIDDLE OF PENNCROFT FARM





About Dorothea Jensen



Author Dorothea Jensen is proud to be one of a very few people who has boarded a pirate ship and attacked a dragon-prowed Viking vessel manned by real, horn-wearing Vikings. She was born in Boston, but grew up in Chillicothe, Illinois, site of the Viking adventure. She earned a BA in English from Carleton College and an MA in Education from the University of New Mexico. She has served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in South America, taught middle and high school English, tutored refugees in ESL, written grant proposals for various arts and history non-profits, written one play performed in Noh style, and another celebrating Lafayette’s Farewell Tour performed at Old Sturbridge Village.




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