WELCOME
Author Dorothea Jensen
OK, OK. I know this website looks impossibly complicated. The reason?
1) I write many different kinds of books.
2) I am including many resources for readers, students, and teachers.
I think the tabbed pages at the top (or in the smart phone "grid") are pretty self-explanatory. However, there's much, much more to explore!
SITE NAVIGATION
GUIDE
1. In this middle column (which shows up first on a smartphone) I detail what kinds of books I write, and proclaim the latest news.
2. In the left hand column (which shows up below the first one on a smart phone) I have posted buy links, honors, and my social media links.
3. In the right-hand column (which shows up below the first two on a smart phone) I have posted all my works arranged by category. Clicking on the title will take you to a page about that work (cover, synopsis, buy links, honors, and reviews). In this column are also links to a page of pictures pertaining to this work, and to a page of videos (including readalouds and speeches) and audios (including music) related to each book. There is also a link to what I call my "Writing Muse." More about tht later.
To ask me questions, make comments, order an autographed book or book bundle, schedule a speech, or request an electronic visit with a class that has read one of my books, use the contact page tabbed above, or write me directly at the following e-mail address:
JensenDorothea@gmail.com
Thanks for stopping by!
Dorothea
WHAT DO I WRITE?
Historical Fiction
for middle graders/young adults
Educational Material
for using historical fiction in the classroom
Historical Non-Fiction
in prose and verse
lllustrated Modern Christmas Stories In Verse
(homage to "A Visit by St. Nicholas")
featuring Santa's high tech Izzy Elves
for kids aged 5+
LATEST NEWS!
Woo Hoo!
See a great review from Booklife (subsidiary of Publishers Weekly) below!
LIBERTY-LOVING LAFAYETTE:
HOW "AMERICA'S FAVORITE FIGHTING FRENCHMAN" HELPED WIN OUR INDEPENDENCE
Lin Manuel-Miranda's Tony award-winning Hamilton made household names of historical figures audiences previously hadn't known much about. Jensen carries the torch with her second book for young readers (after the YA novel A Buss From Lafayette) about the hero of the American Revolutionary War. In engaging rhyming verse possibly inspired by the musical, Jensen details how the French marquis wound up in the American colonies and got caught up in the war. She peppers the text with modern slang ("bro") and French phrases ("mal de mer") while historic paintings, portraits, maps, and engravings (Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun's sumptuous study of Marie Antoinette; Emanuel Leutze's dramatic Washington Rallying the Troops at Monmouth) bring to life the tale's cast and milieu.
The lighthearted storytelling still underscores the subject's significance–"Without him we would not have won our Independency," Jensen writes, rhyming independency with liberty. . . .
This narrative is meant to be read aloud—and would be a valuable companion for classrooms and projects—showcasing its enjoyable blend of history and rhythm. Jensen proves scrupulous in keeping the text factual, digging into the political realities behind revolutionaries like George Washington embracing a French aristocrat, and her detailed end notes, offer concise explanations ("The French government feared having a 'celebrity' like Lafayette join the fight on the side of the Americans") that will help alleviate any audience perplexity. Young history lovers and fans will savor this playful rendition of Lafayette's biography, centered around historical documents and works of art.
Takeaway: Young history buffs will enjoy the rhyming text and historical art in this lively biography of the French hero of the American Revolution.
Great for fans of: Jean Fritz's Why Not, Lafayette?, Selene Castrovilla's Revolutionary Friends.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A
Old Sturbridge Village (OSV) is a living history museum portraying what life was like in New England in the early 19th century. (I'm happy to say the shop there sells my book set in that era and location, A Buss from Lafayette.) I also had the privilege of writing the script for a re-enactment of Lafayette's stop in Sturbridge in 1824.
Bradford Johnson Blanchard, my great great grandfather, was born in the real Sturbridge, Massachusetts in 1838. I think that the town at that time probably closely resembled OSV in the appearance of village buildings, etc.
Recently OSV launched a program on its website enabling visitors to tour the inside of some of the antique buildings that make up the village. As A Buss from Lafayette also takes 21st century readers inside or outside such buildings virtually (such as the general store and school) this is an excellent opportunity for readers to see what such places actually looked like! Follow the blue link above for the 3-D virtual visit.
A terrific endorsement from the Midwest Book Review!
Beautifully illustrated throughout, "Liberty-Loving Lafayette: How 'America's Favorite Fighting Frenchman' Helped Win Our Independence" is a unique, informative, and unreservedly recommended addition to middle school, high school, and community library American Revolution history collections for young readers ages 13-18 in general, and Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette supplemental curriculum studies reading lists in particular. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Liberty-Loving Lafayette" is also readily available in a paperback edition (9780990940814, $10.99), and in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99). —Midwest Book Review
Having written three books about Major General Lafayette, I am naturally interested in the effort to mark where he stopped during his Fabulous Farewell Tour of 1824-5. I've been having fun participating in dedications of The Lafayette Trail's historical markers. Here I am with Julien Icher, the young Frenchman who founded and runs The Lafayette Trail, at the dedication of the marker in Claremont, New Hampshire.
I am a member of the board for this non-profit entity. (Donations are always welcome!) The blue link above with take you to the website to learn more about it.
LLL Audiobook
NOW AVAILABLE!
BUY LINKS FOR LLL AUDIOBOOK
BBB Audiobook
NOW AVAILABLE!
BUY LINKS
FOR BBB AUDIOBOOK
Excerpts will soon be posted.
Bizzy, the Bossy Boots Elf was released on Halloween, 2020.