Grace's Essay - Book Report

George Washington: An Adventurous Life

George Washington lived a very adventurous life. George Washington becomes a soldier, a commander-in-chief, and a president. In a biography called George Washington: Soldier, Hero, President by Justine and Ron Fontes you can learn facts you never knew and follow him from childhood to president.

George Washington was a student that loved to learn. There weren't many schools where George Washington lived, so his parents hired a tutor. After his father died, George went to live with his older brother, Lawrence. Lawrence taught George military strategy.

Even when times were tough, George Washington never lost hope. George was a soldier in the Virginia army which was still part of the English army. He fought as a soldier in the French and Indian War. He learned from General Braddock that a truly great leader must always learn or die.

George had one of the best plantations in the whole colony. George inherited Mount Vernon from his older brother Lawrence. And having so much land made him look good to the Virginia colony legislature. The legislature helped make laws for the colony. Working in the legislature made George realize that the colonies have big tax problems with England.

Great leaders and thinkers like George Washington formed the first Continental Congress. They decided they needed an army and fast. They all voted for George Washington to lead it, that's how George Washington became the General of the American Army. But, unfortunately, the soldiers of the Continental Army were regular people, called minute men. They suffered many defeats and retreats while fighting the English redcoats.

George Washington kept trying new plans, and finally won the Revolutionary War. George's clever plan defeated the Hessian soldiers with surprise attacks. The Hessians expected to win, but America became a free nation. George Washington had done what he set out to do.

Even though he was getting older, George Washington still wanted to help America. He helped to write the Constitution. This document told how the new country would run. And George Washington helped our country by becoming our first president. He was unanimously elected, and worked for eight years (that's two terms). The people offered to let him be king, but George Washington wanted a new leader every four to eight years.

George Washington: Soldier, Hero, President is an educational book. I like that he doesn't give up, and that he becomes president. This book also gives extra information in the pictures, charts, and captions. Do you like history or learning about famous people in history? If you do, you will like this book.

--- Grace Elizabeth Denson