Told for the first time in picture book form is the true story of James Lafayette–a slave who spied for George Washington’s army during the American Revolution. After his resounding defeat at the battle of Yorktown, British general Charles Cornwallis made a point of touring the American camp, looking for the reason behind his loss. What he didn’t expect to see was James, a runaway slave who had served as a guide to the British army. Or at least that’s what Cornwallis was led to believe. In fact, James wasn’t actually an escaped slave–he was a spy for the American army. But while America celebrated its newfound freedom, James returned to slavery in Virginia. His service as a spy hadn’t qualified him for the release he’d been hoping for. For James the fight wasn’t over; his next adversary was the Virginia General Assembly. He’d already helped his country gain its freedom, now it was time to win his own.
Anne Rockwell (1934-2018) created 200 beloved picture books, as author, illustrator and collaborator during a prolific career that lasted six decades. Her topics ranged from board books for babies to biographies for young adults. She was a self taught artist who also made sculptures, needlepoint tapestries, and fine art paintings in oil and watercolor. She collaborated as author with many illustrators, including her husband, Harlow Rockwell and her daughter, Lizzy Rockwell.
Floyd Cooper (www.floydcooper.com) always dreamed of becoming an artist, and he has now illustrated dozens of books for children, including Jump! (From the Life of Michael Jordan), Back of the Bus, and Max and the Tag-Along Moon. He received a Coretta Scott King Award for his illustrations in The Blacker the Berry and a Coretta Scott King Honor for his illustrations in Brown Honey in Broomwheat Tea and I Have Heard of a Land. He lives in New Jersey with his family. Follow him on Twitter @floydcooper4.
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