The Pinched Pinkney Plan
Constitutional Convention Kids Mystery, Featuring Betsey Applewright
Constitutional Convention Kids Mystery, Featuring Betsey Applewright
In Philadelphia, summer, 1787 – delegates from every state are discussing, secretly, a dangerous new government.
Follow Betsey Applewright, her new friend Jordan, and Jordan’s twin brother Israel, across Philadelphia as they search for a document missing from that meeting. If the document isn’t found, the cruel master of Israel and little Sammy will beat them and maybe kill Sammy.
Betsey, scribe to one of the delegates, had never had to make decisions. Must she choose between friends? Can she find the missing plan for a new government in time? Will Betsey be able to save Sammy?
Felmlee has created a fast paced book with engaging dialogue, interesting characters, and plenty of action. Best, however is how she makes history come to life in her story. Young people, students, even teachers will enjoy learning about everyday life in the newly forming United States in the 1700s. Is there a better way to experience and learn about history than with than a fictional story alongside a nonfictional historical one?
I was able to purchase a signed copy of this book from the author. This story is a clever, well-researched adventure in colonial times. The youthful characters are fun to follow as they chase clues to find missing documents, run from evil-doers, and try to protect a small indentured boy from a master with a brutal temperament. Betsey, the main character, is a lonely 12 year old girl with exceptional writing skills. Her master, a convention delegate, brings her as his scribe from her home plantation to unfriendly "Red Brick" Philadelphia. Sometimes she can't sleep because she has "a pillow filled with troubles." The author's writing is well done; alive with imagery and banter. It's an enjoyable way for readers to learn history.
My girls have each a copy of this book. They were 10 and 8 at the time they started reading it. It was so engaging, they flew right through it and even wrote book reports on it! The story explores the history with diverse characters and gives perspective on a time that may be hard for kids to understand considering the way they grow up now is so different.
Betsey traveled all the way to Philadelphia for the Constitutional Convention to act as a scribe for Mr. Richard, the delegate from South Carolina. However, the convention becomes closed to the public and the press. Betsey is locked out and left alone in an unfamiliar city. Betsey quickly meets a new friend and when they learn that an important document from the convention goes missing, they decide to search for it. They must hurry to find it before journalists, anti-federalists, or a street gang of boys find it first. The story moves quickly as the dynamic characters traverse Philadelphia, encountering some of history’s most influential figures along the way. Readers learn about the convention as the characters piece together clues about the missing plan, and the depiction of the streets and people of Philadelphia in 1787 fill the text with easy to digest historical information. Overall, a fun, entertaining, quick read.
