Laura Secord's Brave Walk
Educational Read ... Wonderful book, highly recommended …... 5stars


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The Review
Laura Secord is a young Canadian wife and mother in June 1812. When her husband James goes to join British General Brock she is left alone at home with their 5 children. Hearing the sounds of fierce battle not too far away she and the children hide in their basement. Laura soon learns that General Brock is killed and James has been wounded. Laura rushes to the battlefield just in time to save James being killed by an United States soldier.

The year 1812 is not long following the United States war for freedom from the British crown, times have been unsettled and worrisome for both Canadians and the newly formed government formed south of the boundary between Canada and the United States.

The American's admire Laura's bravery and help her remove James from the battlefield by carrying him to his home. The war continues and later American soldiers come to the Secord home hoping find food. Laura overhears the soldiers talking about an upcoming battle and knows she must warn Lieutenant FitzGibbon of the American plan. Leaving her children at home, Laura manages to cover the 19 miles to the Canadian camp where she delivers her message to FitzGibbon. Because of Laura's information FitzGibbon was prepared to defend Canada.


Laura Secord's Brave Walk is an excellent book presenting another view of the war the United States and the British soldiers waged against one another for a second time. Children living here in the United States begin to receive instruction regarding our country history as quickly as they enter the public education system. I did not home teach so I cannot speak to how or when homeschooled children receive their history lessons. Because I am and have been a classroom teacher for many years; I know that public school in California and Oklahom do address our historical background from Kindergarten forward.


Laura Secord's Brave Walk is a well researched work written by former teacher Connie Brummel Crook who writes about Canada's pioneer families. Wonderful illustrations by June Lawrason who teaches illustration at Ontario College of Art and Design and Ryerson Polytechnical University are sprinkled throughout the book. I like that, it makes describing dress and the like so much easier for children when they have a picture to view.

I would like to read more by this author. We North Americans can learn much from our collective and separate histories, we live in close proximity and it would be good for us all to have a little more understanding for what makes one another of us ‘tick’.


I learned a bit of history regarding this important North American conflict, previous to my reading Laura Secord's Brave Walk I had only been focused on the United States involvement. I enjoyed reading Canadian writer Crook's superb book very much.

The book with it's lovely illustrations will have enormous appeal especially for girls in the 8-11 year age group. Boys of this age will be intrigued with the bravery and resolve of this dedicated heroine. Writer Crook's Laura Secord's Brave Walk will fit well into a social studies unit teaching the history of Canada or the War of 1812.

While it is imperative for us to each have a sense of national pride and identity, if we are to survive in this world then we all also need to come to an understanding that we all do have pride, family, bravery and heroes and heroines. To recognize one another's differences and similarities does not diminish us.

Laura Secord's Brave Walk It is a ‘read to’ book for younger children 5 -8, and a read alone work by middle grades. This is one of the books I review that I will actually be keeping, it is getting well used in our classroom.

On the back page Crook offers the note that Laura Secord received an award of 100 pounds presented by then Prince of Wales Albert Edward in 1861. A copy of the certificate she received for her action is housed in the National Archives in Ottawa. My fourth grade was suitably impressed.


I Found Laura Secord's Brave Walk to be filled with wonderful illustrations, well researched and excellently written. I enjoyed the read very much and am happy to Recommended.
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I was sent review copy by publicist
Reviewed by molly martin


Author: Connie Brummel Crook
Genre: Children's book
Listening level: Ages 4-8
Reading level: Ages 8 - 11
Hardcover: 24 pages
Publisher: Second Story Press
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1896764347
ISBN-13: 978-1896764344
Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches



Recommended: Yes