Readers, if you missed it, I hope you'll take a moment to read my review and reactions to THE PATRIOTS AND THE POX: GEORGE WASHINGTON’S BATTLE TO SAVE THE CONTINENTAL ARMY, HERE.
 |
| ASTRA BOOKS/CALKINS CREEK, 2026 |
I also urge you to check Beth’s blog notes to read her summary about this recent release, a JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD selection. (Congratulations on that, Beth, and your many powerful supportive reviews.)
There you’ll also find a link to read her excellent post: HOW RESEARCH BECOMES A STORY January 9, 2026 (the first of Beth’s Revolutionary War 250 blog series)
Digging into the intersection of so many related aspects of history, science, and society
In it Beth says:
“Somehow in this process of sifting and digging and pondering, I find connections across time for myself and endeavor to offer valuable opportunities for young readers to engage with history as critical thinkers able to make connections to their lives and our world”
That, in a nutshell, is what I admire so much about all of Beth's information picture books and the individuals they feature. Those connections of information, historic events or movements, and individual talents are always intriguing, from a subway hero with super-sniffing skills to Washington commanding the troops fighting to create a new nation. Kids are enamored of comic book superheroes, but Beth’s research and storytelling reveal and elevate REAL people in history who made positive changes in impressive ways.
In that blog post she makes clear that FINDING THE STORY involves those familiar 5-Ws we so often talk about.
WHO?- reveals the people at the intersection of varied information topics
WHY? reveals motivation.
WHEN? And WHERE? Incorporates place, time, facts, and their interrelationships.
And WHAT IF? helps define stakes and risks involved.
It’s a privilege to have Beth respond to my questions for this post.
SB: Welcome back to the blog, Beth, and thanks for allowing me and my readers to learn more about your writing process.
In THE PATRIOTS AND THE POX, your narrative offers readers the results of careful research and analysis involving highly complex circumstances and solutions. It’s clear that WASHINGTON was the central figure for this slice of history. At that time he was the designated leader of the makeshift army of a declared/tentative new nation. The motivation and stakes drive the pacing with a page-turning quality that keeps readers in the moment, despite it being an historic account. The complex details of time, places, processes, and sheer numbers of soldiers and colonists must have felt overwhelming. Would you share a bit about the stages of your early engagement with this massive intersection of events and issues in your writing? Was the eventual story structure there from the start or did you make multiple attempts to find an approach? Was there an AHA! moment or was it a series of blind alleys until you found your way?
BA: Thanks so much for inviting me back! Your first question hits the overwhelming challenge of this book. So many rabbit holes! Smallpox connected to everything: enlistment practices, able bodied troop numbers, scavenging for food, shortages of supplies, treatment, medical practices, the Continental Congress, British troops, smallpox in England, battles, travel, strategies, discipline, training, and more. Though most of that research is not explicitly in the book, the understanding was essential, and it’s there as an underlayer that affects word choice and much more.
As always, I saw too much. There I found parallels with the trajectory of Washington’s battles against the disease and against the British. I gave the battles of Quebec and Montreal more space at first as those showed the devastating effect of smallpox in battle and of self-inoculation without quarantine. For a while I included training troops at Valley Forge as that scene focused on building unity and trust. I had a stronger thread of the conflict between individual liberty and “liberty for all.” The story ended at Yorktown where the British again sent out people infected with smallpox, echoing back to Boston, but at that point Washington’s troops had immunity and the disease was no longer a weapon. I also was thinking some touchstones for the war were needed, so there was more background in general, as well as interesting details.
The challenge was to strip it back to Washington’s fight against smallpox and his decision to inoculate by cutting most of the military info and letting some of those lofty ideas I loved echo in the background. Many revisions dealt with how to provide necessary context for understanding the science of disease—both with how to say it and where that info was placed.
SB: Whew! I had tried to imagine the extent of options you dealt with, but this is truly impressive. The topic and individuals involved are so much more complex than a single "cradle-to-grave" biography!
Guest authors on your blog and notes about your own books focus on the heart of the story, even though elements within the covers of each book are factual and historic. I learned so much about history and Washington "the man" in this book, but my heart was always drawn to the struggles Washington faced: on behalf of individuals and families, on behalf of the army as a whole, and on behalf of the budding nation he was attempting to ensure. You balanced these challenges well. I wonder IF and HOW you found and felt the heart of this story while writing? Did any particular sources or accounts touch you or direct your writing?
BA: The heaviness of carrying the hopes and dreams of a soon-to-be nation in addition to the human lives came through in some of his letters in the Founders Archives. His letters as commander in chief are strong and sometimes angry and frustrated about the lack of support from the Continental Congress. But the letters to family show a more personal side and the agony of his responsibility. I think his own experience suffering through smallpox likely impacted his actions.
To me the larger heart that underlies the story deals with the interconnection of liberty and unity. Defeating smallpox required trust and a focus on the good of the whole—and so did winning a war and establishing a nation.
SB: I felt that as a reader. There was no lack of good will and shared intentions on the parts of colonists, enlistees, and officers, but their personal beliefs, fears, and priorities could come in conflict. What I felt throughout the reading was the sense of "sacrifice" that everyone, from top to bottom, needed to accept. The good of the whole MUST outweigh the individual good, while allowing for individual respect and safety in as many ways as possible. What an achievement for our founders.
Did you encounter any stumbling spots or gaps while researching? If so, what were they and how did you go about finding resources?
BA: We’re fortunate that Washington initiated a system of keeping military records. Though there are some gaps, by following the “breadcrumbs” in bibliographies, I was able to access a range of sources, including scholarly articles on smallpox in the military. There’s a tremendous amount of information available on the war and Washington, so the challenge becomes wading through it all and finding the pieces to effectively tell the story.
SB: That almost sounds as if it could occupy an entire life of research and writing. It may do so for some academic scholars. Once again, your presentation of this massive input exemplifies that nonfiction picture books are a valuable resource on their own.
The subjects of your other books aren’t nearly as well-known as WASHINGTON, though JEFFERSON and LINCOLN compete! What led you to focus on Washington, and on this topic in his life story?
SB: I agree fully.
Books requiring so much research inevitably leave fascinating facts ”on the cutting room floor”. Are there some particular details you’re eager to mention and even explore when you speak in programs or otherwise interact with your readers? (Feel free to mention as teasers without elaboration, or spill as much as you’re willing to!)
BA: A few of those extras ended up in back matter, like the enslaved man, Onesimus, who taught Cotton Mather about inoculation methods that had been practiced in Africa and Asia for centuries. Back matter also mentions that inoculation was banned, divisive, and feared, but there’s also the fact that Washington was defying those bans and inciting public anger and fear when he dared to do it. I think both of these facts are mind-openers for all of us.
Taking command in Boston was tough for Washington. Troops resisted, and he was shocked at the condition of the camps and unruliness of the men. Though Washington is revered today, not everyone respected him and supported his efforts.
SB: That's so easy to forget, that few public figures are universally revered in their own times. It's a reminder to take whatever "glow" or "gunk" we may attach to historic figures demand a long look back at actual evidence. |t's worth digging deep for as much contemporaneous and factual information as possible, as much context of the times as can be found and considered. Thank oyu for doing that heavy lifting for young readers (and the rest of us) in this title and your others.
Are there other upcoming projects (titles?) that you are allowed to share with us? Your responses above should make it clear that the time needed to research, write, and revise is extensive, tfollowed by the lengthy process when your work moves into the hands of editors, illustrators, designers, marketers, etc. Meanwhile, you work on new materials. We'd love to hear about what's next.
BA: The next book, SCULPTING PRESIDENT LINCOLN: VINNIE REAM CARVES OUT HER FUTURE (spring 2027), is about a talented teenage girl who persisted past perceived limits of tradition, gender, age, class, education, and critics to create the Lincoln statue that stands in the Capitol rotunda today. Her story is one of art and history, of youth and vision, of spunk and grit. Vinnie Ream is an inspiring example of the power of physical, intellectual, and emotional commitment, investing hands, head, and heart. I can’t wait to share her story!
SB: And I can't wait to read it!
Anything you were hoping I’d ask you to talk about?
SB: I couldn't agree more with your endorsement and admiration of the illustrations. I've been over them time and agin, always noticing even more than previous careful scrutiny had revealed. The art and the visual storytelling are masterful! Once again I thank you for sharing your responses with us, and for the energy, talent, and enthusiasm you bring to finding and sharing stories of admirable figures from the past. For finding the lesser-told scaffolding background that elevated otherwise famous figures as well as revealing lesser-known figures from our history who more than merit the spotlight your books provide.
Beth's Bio:
Beth Anderson is the award-winning author of more than ten picture books, including HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT, THOMAS JEFFERSON’S BATTLE FOR SCIENCE, and LIZZIE DEMANDS A SEAT, among others. A former educator, she strives for accidental learning in the midst of a great story and hopes to inspire kids to laugh, ponder, and question. Born and raised in Illinois, Beth now lives in Colorado. Visit https://bethandersonwriter.com
No comments:
Post a Comment