Haym Salomon: American Patriot (review)

Abstract

Reviewed by: Haym Salomon: American Patriot Elizabeth Bush Rubin, Susan Goldman Haym Salomon: American Patriot; illus. by David Slonim. Abrams, 200740p ISBN 0-8109-1087-X$16.95 Ad Gr. 2-4 In the elementary-school social studies saga of the American Revolution, little attention is paid to the indispensable money man behind the Patriot cause, and Rubin is out to redress the omission with a picture book aimed at an audience that has at least a passing familiarity with the other big-name players. Indeed, Salomon can boast some pretty notable and exciting life experiences—his minority status as a Jew in a largely Christian country, his work with the Sons of Liberty undermining the British, his stints in jail, and even his remarkable feat of cheating the hangman, and to her credit, Rubin spins the somewhat lengthy tale in brisk, accessible prose. Once onto financial matters, however, the text will probably be rough going for young readers, even with the provided glossary for consultation: "Haym became Morris's broker. He received loans and bills of exchange from France, Spain, and Holland to gain money for General Washington's troops. Usually he charged nothing for his services." Moreover, Slonim's cartoonish paintings, which clearly try to strike a light, friendly note, are uncomfortably out of sync with the serious nature of the narrative. This Haym is a far cry from the sober, dignified figure shown in an appended period portrait; with his bulbous nose, carefree expressions, and ever-present doggie mimicking his movements (the dog squats on his hind legs with forepaws raised when his master is arrested by a Redcoat), he plays the situation for laughs all the way to his deathbed, where he rolls his eyes and grins like he's about to sleep off a bender. This will be useful in expanding children's awareness of an overlooked Founder, but it's unlikely to cultivate a circle of budding financial moguls. Endnotes and a bibliography are included. Copyright © 2007 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois