Tag Archives: Star Spangled Banner

15 things you don’t know about the Star-Spangled Banner

Posted on June 14, 2020 by

    If you are American, chances are you know the words to the US national anthem, the Star-Spangled Banner. It’s about a flag referred to by the same name. The song tells a story of an historic event. While … Continue reading →

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Star-Spangled is now available!

Posted on June 1, 2020 by

            “Grove provides a page-turning narrative that enhances the familiar aspects of this story and fills in those little-known areas… Generous archival illustrations and the rich and varied backmatter make this a boon for fledgling … Continue reading →

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Gloucester Cathedral and the US national anthem

Posted on January 1, 2020 by

An unexpected connection to American history found in Gloucester Cathedral in England. Continue reading →

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Their final resting places

Posted on May 27, 2019 by

In nonfiction set in the past, a character can best come to life through words he left behind or words his contemporaries spoke about him. When working with limited historical source materials, one of the writer’s challenges is to craft … Continue reading →

Posted in 19th century, cemetery/grave, military | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

My break is over

Posted on June 23, 2018 by

Dear Readers, I’ve taken a long break from blogging to work on a new book. Star Spangled: The Story of a Flag, a Battle, and a Song, is due out next year and targets ages 10-14, but will be of … Continue reading →

Posted in 19th century, military, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

O, say can you see? Stories of a national anthem

Posted on August 29, 2014 by

On September 13 and 14 Americans will commemorate the bicentennial of the Battle of Baltimore, a mostly forgotten battle in U.S. history… except that it gave the United States its national anthem. The song is a stirring tribute of the battle by … Continue reading →

Posted in 19th century, city/town, fort, house, military, national park | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments