This extensively researched and groundbreaking account by Sibert medalist Marc Aronson centers on events in the mid-18th century that enabled Americans to give up their loyalty to England and form their own nation. Shedding new light on familiar aspects of American history, such as the Boston Tea Party, and ending with the aftermath of the American Revolution, Aronson approaches the events that shaped our country from a fresh angle and connects them to issues that still exist in modern times. Also developed throughout is the pioneering idea that the struggle for American independence was actually part of a larger conflict that spanned the globe, reaching across Europe to India.

Packed with dramatic events, battles, and memorable figures such as George Washington and Tom Paine in America and Robert Clive in India, this insightful narrative provides a multi-layered portrait of how our nation came to be, while discovering anew the themes, images, and fascinating personalities that run through our entire history. Cast of characters, maps, endnotes and bibliography, Internet resources, timeline, index.

""Superb...a strong choice for history classrooms and a must for all libraries."" KIRKUS, starred Kirkus Reviews, Starred

""fascinating, insightful...startling global connections...This outstanding work is highly compelling reading and belongs in every library."" SLJ, starred School Library Journal, Starred

""Aronson offers a timely and relevant interpretation of this chapter of history, its contradictions, and its compromises."" PUBLISHERS WEEKLY Publishers Weekly

""For serious students curious about who and what we are as a nation."" BOOKLIST Booklist, ALA

""Unquestionably significant...Readers gain a better understanding of [events]...that spurred the colonies toward independence."" BCCB Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

""Engaging history...lively prose...[Readers] will come away with a better idea...of events in our history."" HORN BOOK Horn Book

""An account that will strike not only children but most adults as in many ways original."" NY TIMES BOOK REVIEW The New York Times Book Review

""Refreshing...provides provocative fodder for classroom discussion...History was never so much fun."" -VOYA VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates)

""This engaging history...[concludes] Aronson's dramatic and thought-provoking trilogy"" HORN BOOK GUIDE, Pointer Horn Book Guide, Pointer