Toliver's Secret was a great book. It could capture anyone's interest. You find yourself in the begining of the Revolutionary War. The main character is Ellen or "Toliver". She is a very timid and shy girl. Then she finds courage she never new she had as she smuggles a mesage to Mr. Shannon. But can she walk twelve miles in the middle of winter? Escape from British soldiers? Read the book and find out!

Young,gentle,and quiet Ellen Toliver learns to stand up for herself and to have great courage in Toliver's Secret. It takes place in New York, in the winter time during the Revolutionary War. Each day Ellen dreads to go to the well to get water because each time Dicey bullies her. Prefering to stay inside with her mother and grandfather, she rarely goes outside. But after her breathtaking adventure she changes her mind. Her grandfather,being an American spy, asked Ellen to tade a message hidden in a loaf of bread to Elizabeth Town. Find out what daring adventures ahe goes through, getting braver and braver at each step. I think this a wonderful book and anyone who likes adventures should read it.

This is an outstanding piece of historical fiction for young readers. It can be used in a classroom to bring the Revolutionary War alive in the minds of young readers. You take every step with Ellen Toliver and hold your breath with every obstacle she faces. Ten year old Ellen changes from a timid, shy girl to a confident, spunky girl,and young readers can identify with her feelings. The ending satisfies the reader's need for closure to Ellen's adventures, but it also leaves the reader with a question to wonder about. I couldn't put this book down the first time I read it. My fourth grade students want a sequel!