The Crossing
By: Jim Murphy
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Copyright: 2010
Reading Level: 7.4 IL: Grades 5-8
Genre: Historical Fiction
Setting: American Revolution 1775 -1783
SUMMARY: In the winter of 1776, George Washington, commander of the
American army, faced not only the British soldiers but the panic and
disillusionment of the American soldiers. With half of his soldiers’ enlistments
running out on January 1, Washington knew he had one last chance to save his
job and his country. And so he crossed the Delaware on December 26.
AUTHOR’S BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH:
http://www.jimmurphybooks.com
Other books written by the author:
An American Plague
Blizzard!
The Boy's War
The Great Fire
My Name is America: The Journal of James Edmond Pease: A Civil War Union
Soldier, Virginia, 1863
A Savage Thunder
Truce
SIMILAR BOOKS WITH A SIMILAR THEME:
Just Jane: A Daughter of England Caught in the Struggle of the American
Revolution by William Lavender
Time Enough for Drums by Ann Rinaldi
Washington's Crossing by David Hackett Fischer.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Revised 3/7/08
1. What is wrong with the paintings by Henry Mosler and Emanuel Leutze?
2. How was the outcome of the Battle of Trenton decided? (Chapter 6)
3. When Washington wanted to cross the Delaware he needed more troops. What
was the bonus he offered to them? Did he get many troops with this offer? Why
or why not?
4. Name three leaders who thought Washington was a weak leader.
ACTIVITIES:
Language Arts
Listening and Speaking
Be George Washington. Develop a speech that will persuade your soldiers to
fight beside you even though they are exhausted, freezing cold and starving.
Support your speech with relevant details.
[Standard Indicators: USH 7.7.1, 7.7.3 – 7.7.5, 7.7.7, 7.7.9 – 7.7.11]
Social Studies:
History
The Foundations of the United States to 1800
Explain specific causes and effects of the American Revolution. Describe the
roles the Founding Fathers played in the establishment of the Republic. Identify
the conflicting ideas and the compromises that shaped the new nation.
[Standard Indicators: USH.8.1.4 – 8.1.9]
Geography
Human and Physical Systems
Describe the role of the river systems in New York which helped in the development of the
United States.
[Standard Indicators: USH.8.3.5, 8.3.6, 8.3.9, 8.3.11]
Challenging Words
Alacrity (ə-la-krə-tē) (pg. 30) Promptness in response : cheerful readiness.
Annihilate (ə-nī-ə-lāt) (pg. 23) To vanquish completely.
Revised 3/7/08
Emaciated (i-mā-shē-āt-ed) (pg. 40) Wasted away physically.
Extricate (ek-strə- kāt) (pg. 50) To free or remove from an entanglement or
difficulty.
Flotilla (flō-ˈti-lə) (pg. 16) A navy organizational unit consisting of two or more
squadrons of small warships.
Intrigued (in-trēgd) (pg. 10) To arouse the interest, desire, or curiosity of.
Invincible (in-vin(t)-sə-bəl) (pg. 19) Incapable of being conquered, overcome, or
subdued.
Pugnacious (pəg-nā-shəs) (pg. 26) Having a quarrelsome or combative nature.
Unanimously (yu̇-na-nə-məs-lee) (pg. 13) Having the agreement and consent of
all.
Victuals (vi-təlz) (pg. 35) Food usable by people.
Revised 3/7/08