Reviews and Info
Publisher: Warbranch Press, Inc.
Year: 2008
Pages: 56
Author and illustrator: Kate Salley Palmer
Illustrations: Watercolor pencil and gouache
Reading level: Grades 3-8
Retail price: $11.95
"It was not the white man's fight alone that gave this country its independence. Almost Invisible: Black Patriots of the American Revolution tells the stories of several dozen black patriots who laid down their lives on the line and in some cases lost them in defending a country that did not consider them equals, and in some cases, not even human. These tales are riveting and intriguing reading of these brave men who were just as much heroes as anyone else during the time, making Almost Invisible a grand gift to any child with a strong interest in history"
Midwest Book Review's Small Press Bookwatch, Nov., 2008
"African Americans made significant contributions toward gaining independence from Great Britain. Because of slavery few blacks were allowed to bear arms in the South, but in the northern colonies many fought alongside their white neighbors. This illustrated picture book would make a great gift for the history student."
Sandlapper Magazine, Winter 2008-09
"Orangeburg native and award-winning artist, author and cartoonist, Kate Salley Palmer, has written another delightful, educational children's book - Almost Invisible: Black Patriots of the American Revolution. Parents and children alike will enjoy the colorful illustrations and narrative that tells readers of the 5,000 African American patriots who fought in George Washington's Continental Army and highlights the service of more than two dozen black patriots........The illustrations are lively and take readers to the time and place of action. The vignettes, placed in chronological order, give history buffs an excellent start in their study of black patriots of the American Revolution....A glossary of terms helps young readers better understand the text, and a bibliography gives readers sources to further their study of black heroes..."
Orangeburg Times and Democrat, Sept., 2008
"This well-researched book with its exciting scenes of valor in battle should appeal to any elementary school child, and is a reminder that even the most 'invisible' person can be a hero. It took a tremendous amount of research, but Mrs. Palmer found them (black heroes) and illustrated their contributions to America becoming a nation...."
Anderson Independent-Mail, August 2008
Almost Invisible: Black Patriots of the American Revolution
Did you know that during the Revolutionary War over 5,000 African Americans fought in the Continental Army? General George Washington called his force of Continentals his “mixed multitude”. Did you know that the first American to die for independence was black? Crispus Attucks, along with several other patriots, died in the “Boston Massacre” in 1770.
Two African Americans who fought alongside their white neighbors at the battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775 were Peter Salem and Lemuel Haynes. Another black patriot was James Armistead, who was a spy for the General Lafayette. In the South slaves generally could not carry weapons, although some were allowed to fight in place of their masters. Others served as harbor pilots or had other duties assisting the patriot cause.
Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox, allowed blacks as well as Native Americans to fight in his brigade in the lowcountry of South Carolina. Oscar Marion was a slave who fought bravely in Marion’s brigade from 1780-82. This picture book for children, written and illustrated by Kate Salley Palmer, is a collection of stories about black patriots who distinguished themselves in helping the colonies gain independence from Great Britain. It is the third in a series published by Warbranch Press about the American Revolution. The other two are Palmetto – Symbol of Courage and Francis Marion and the Legend of the Swamp Fox.
Kate was actually inspired to write this book by a third grade student at Orangeburg’s (SC) Sheridan Elementary school in 2006 while speaking to students about her other books about Revolutionary War history. Marshall Ellerbee III asked Kate, “Were there any black heroes of the Revolutionary War?” Kate replied that she didn’t know, but would do research and maybe write a book. So in 2007 Kate read many books on the subject and when the book was published in 2008, she dedicated it to the young student at Sheridan Elementary (who she did not know at the time). But, his teacher remembered his question and his name, and in 2009, Kate went back to Sheridan and met Marshall and gave him an autographed copy of the book. The whole story is described in an article in the Orangeburg Times and Democrat on Sept. 18, 2008.