Friday, November 12, 2021

Two New Books to Celebrate: Spies in the American Revolution for Kids and the 10.10 Poetry Anthology

[Note: I wrote the following before learning of the death of my friend, April Pulley Sayre. If you didn't see my post about her Wednesday, I hope you'll take a look.] 

This week I'm happy to celebrate two new book releases. The first, Spies in the American Revolution for Kids by former TeachingAuthor Carla Killough McClafferty, released on 11/2/21. The second, 10.10 Poetry Anthology: Celebrating 10 in 10 Different Ways, edited by Bridget Magee, includes three poems I wrote! You can read one of those poems at the end of this post. 

I invited Carla to share a bit about her new book. Here's what she had to say:   

My newest book Spies in the American Revolution for Kids (Rockridge Press), covers another facet of history that is little known by most people. I enjoyed the research of seeking out primary source documents like letters and codes to pull this true story together. To research spies is tricky. Most spies didn’t write down on a document that they are spies for fear of being arrested, tried, and hung as a spy. But still there is a paper trail. And as a researcher, I am a determined bloodhound for accurate source material. I followed the trail. And it was fascinating.

I’ve written about George Washington in several different books, and he is part of this story also. Washington is famous for many things. I think his role as spymaster should be one of them. He understood how nearly impossible it would be for American patriots to win a war against England, the most powerful military nation in the world. He knew America would need to find ways to gain advantages whenever possible. And that meant espionage.

Soldiers as well as civilian men and women volunteered to be spies. They secretly gathered information while hoping they didn’t get caught and killed by the British. They devised all sorts of methods to deliver vital information about troop movements, numbers, weapons, ships, and food supplies. They used clever ways to communicate including all sorts of codes. They used amazing gadgets like invisible ink, dead drops, intercepting mail, and secret messages of all sorts. Without exception, every single spy risked their lives over and over again.


In this book, I cover the Culper Spy Ring, made famous in the television series, Turn: Washington's Spies. Benjamin Tallmadge recruited a trusted circle of people he knew from his home town of Setauket, on Long Island. The ring created a complex system of gathering and sharing information right under the noses of the British army who occupied their town. Their vital information was forwarded immediately to General Washington. Tallmadge created a secret code system that kept their identities safe. Even after the war was over, and for the rest of his life, Tallmadge never revealed the identities of his friends who worked as spies.  Below are pages from the code book created by Benjamin Tallmadge for use by the Culver spy ring.


The stories I write about in Spies in the American Revolution for Kids give us glimpses of incredible bravery. Men like Enoch Crosby who worked as a double agent. Over and over, he infiltrated enemy groups, learned their secrets, and got word out which resulted in their arrests. Lydia Darrah eavesdropped on plans discussed by British officers’ and smuggled that information to the patriots under the buttons of her son’s coat. Allan McLean, a dashing leader, seemed to have no fear when he disguised himself and went into the enemy camp. McLean somehow escaped capture again and again. Some spies went deep under cover, like James Armistead Lafayette, an enslaved man who worked for General Cornwallis before the battle of Yorktown, and fed information to the patriots. And John Champe who joined the British army so he would capture Benedict Arnold-and the unexpected twist of fate which caused his mission to fail.   

My hope for those who read this book is that they are entertained and gain a deeper understanding of what it took to create this great nation. Many different types of men and women worked as American spies. Without their contributions to the war effort, perhaps the Revolutionary War would have taken even longer than eight years. Or maybe America would not have won the war at all.  

Congratulations, Carla! Your new book sounds intriguing, especially for readers who enjoy nonfiction.

And today, I'm also happy to celebrate Bridget Magee's recent release, 10.10 Poetry Anthology: Celebrating 10 in 10 Different Ways, which includes three of my poems. Some of you may recall that I mentioned in my last post that I've had poems accepted in TWO new anthologies. I don't know yet when the second will be released--I'll share more when I do.

The poems in the 10.10 Poetry Anthology are divided into ten categories, all tied to the word TEN:

  1. TENtative
  2. TENderness
  3. TENacity
  4. TEN More Minutes
  5. TENsion
  6. I Wouldn't Touch That With a TEN-Foot Pole
  7. TEN Little Fingers / TEN Little Toes
  8. Take TEN
  9. TENth _____
  10. I TENd To

  My first poem in the collection is in the TENacity section. 

The form for this poem is a variation on the “Definito” form invented by Heidi Mordhorst. My other two poems in the 10.10 Poetry Anthology include an Etheree in the TEN More Minutes section and a free verse poem in the TENsion section. I'm honored to have my work included with that of so many fine poets from around the world.

If you're looking for more poetry, check out this week's Poetry Friday roundup hosted by Matt Forrest Esenwine at Radio, Rhythm & Rhyme

Happy writing!
Carmela

29 comments:

Matt Forrest Esenwine said...

Congratulations on your inclusion in Bridget's book! I don't think I'm familiar with the Definito, so I'll have to check out Heidi's blog now!

Linda B said...

Congratulations on your poems in Bridget's anthology. I have read your poems and love this one. You've got it right, Carmela. That learning to walk, "He stands again--all set to run" - perfect. And I enjoyed reading about this new book about the Revolutionary spies. Courageous people & so smart, like the "under the buttons of her son’s coat". Wow! Thanks for all & have a lovely weekend!

Bridget Magee said...

It was an honor and a privilege to share your words with the world, Carmela! :)

skanny17 said...

Carmela, I love learning about this new book. Will be reading it soon. I loved Avi's Sophie's War and grew up on LI, so it's in my tbr "stack!". You nailed the baby's tenacity. I love it. Brings back visions of my toddler grandgirl teaching herself to jump. It was a hoot AND instructive. I have my copy of Celebrating Ten and will go find your poems right now. It is a "tentalizing" (see what I did here) read for sure with so many wonderful poems.
Janet Clare F.

Janice Scully said...

Great interview. "Spies" sounds like a book I would love. Congrats on your publication in Bridget's anthology. How fun to see a poem published! Yes, all babies have tenacity, they have to! Nice work.

Karen Eastlund said...

Loved the interview, I'm into a new history of the revolution also. Thanks for sharing your tenacity poem, and congrats on being in Bridget's book.

Tim Kulp said...

Congratulations on your poems! I liked the imagery of the diaper breaking the fall. It reminded me of my kids when they were that small.

maryecronin said...

Now I need to read up on the Definito form, Carmela! I'm intrigued, and happy to be included in the 10-10 anthology alongside your wonderful poems.

Linda Mitchell said...

Oh, I love that tenacity poem. Wonderful! And, I'm a fan of Turn. I watched that series all in one gulp. Loved it. Thank you for letting us know about the book of spies. History is so much more fascinating when authors are bloodhounds for the details! Great post. Thanks so much.

Linda said...

What a great poem! Congratulations for being included in Bridget's book! Also, I'm so sorry to hear about April. I hadn't heard. Thank you for your beautiful tribute to her.

Mary Lee said...

It's an honor for my poems to be between the same covers as yours! You captured a toddler's tenacity perfectly!

Denise Krebs said...

"Yippee!"..."He's got tenacity" sounds great together. Carmela, congratulations on all your poems being chosen for the Ten anthology.

Carmela Martino said...

Thanks, Matt. My tenacity poem is inspired by the definito form, but I don't think it's a true definito.

Carmela Martino said...

Thanks for stopping by, Linda B. Hope you have a great weekend, too.

Carmela Martino said...

Thanks, Bridget, for all your hard work to create the anthology!

Carmela Martino said...

Yes, Janet Clare. I saw what you did with tentalizing. Very fun!

Carmela Martino said...

Thanks for the congratulations, Janice, Karen, and Time!

Carmela Martino said...

Mary, I look forward to reading your poem in the anthology--haven't actually gotten my copy yet.

Carmela Martino said...

Linda Mitchell, I hope you really enjoy Carla's book! I haven't seen Turn yet but look forward to doing so.

Carmela Martino said...

Linda Kulp Trout, thanks for your kind words about April Pulley Sayre. I was glad to see the lovely write-up about her in PW.

Carmela Martino said...

Mary Lee, I could say the same thing: It's an honor for my poems to be between the same covers as yours!

Carmela Martino said...

Thanks, Denise!

Ruth said...

Celebrating new books with you!

Carmela Martino said...

Thanks, Ruth!

Esther Hershenhorn said...

Oh, Mazel tov, Carla, on your newest book!
And, Mazel tov, Marti, on your oh, so delicious and loving poem included in Bridget's anthology.
Two TeachingAuthors doin' it!

Jone said...

Congrats on your new book, Carla. It looks fascinating.
And the new Bridget anthology is a delight.

Carmela Martino said...

Thanks, Esther. And thanks for stopping by, Jone!

Carla Killough McClafferty said...

Congrautlations Marti on your beautiful poems in the anthology. This toddler one is precious. And thank you for allowing me to post an article about my new book SPIES IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

Carmela Martino said...

My pleasure, Carla!