Toliver's Secret

Ellen Toliver lives in Boston with her mother and grandfather. British troops have taken up residence in the upstairs rooms of their house and her grandfather, a barber, curls their wigs for them. Ellen's father was killed in the Battle of Brooklyn Heights on Long Island and her older brother has not been heard from since that battle as well. Ellen is ten and can't even stand up to the town bully, Dicey, who won't let her draw water from the public well closest to her house.

            Then one day, Grandfather is helped into the house...he has fallen on the ice and injured his ankle. But he seems to be more perturbed for another reason; he was supposed to deliver a secret message to a courier across the bay that had to be there the next evening. General Washington needed that message immediately. Ellen reeled as she realized HER GRANDFATHER WAS A PATRIOT SPY! And now he is laid up in bed and can't walk on his ankle. Who can take the secret message for him? Ellen's mother volunteers, but it is finally decided that Ellen had better go. If she cuts her hair and wears boys' clothes, no one will know or suspect that she is a girl. Ellen doesn't know if she is brave enough, but her grandfather believes in her, and so she believes in herself.

            But nothing goes according to plan. You will have to read it for yourself to discover the obstacles and difficulties she experiences on her journey and how she “stands up” for herself.

            This breezy little read will not take you long, but what a powerful punch it has. Ellen is an admirable and believable heroine who discovers reserves of strength and courage she didn't know she had as she performs a dangerous act of service for her country and overcomes her deepest fears. Her homecoming is sweet and her courage is rewarded. You and your elementary-schoolers will love her!

            If some of you have read my review for Johnny Tremain, this book has the same setting and the same themes, but for a slightly younger audience.

Content considerations

“It was too horrible to think of. Grandfather hanging on a gallows tree.” This image is imaginary, but it might disturb some. Ellen hits a bully with a broomstick and is “kidnapped” essentially, by redcoats.