Revolutionary Rogues

John André and Benedict Arnold

Illustrated by John O'Brien
NCSS/CBC Notable Trade Social Studies Book
Kansas Reading Circle Choice
Bank Street College Best Book
Tappantown Historical Society’s Achievement Award 

Young fans of the Broadway smash "Hamilton" will enjoy this riveting nonfiction picture book that unfolds like a play, telling a story from American history.

Gravely injured and with little chance for more military honors, Major General Benedict Arnold seeks reward and recognition another way. He contacts Major John André, the new head of British intelligence and another man determined to prove himself. Arnold and André strike a deal and use Arnold’s intelligence to take over West Point, the strategic American fort. The plan ultimately fails, leading to André’s capture and death and Arnold’s loss of reward and glory. Author Selene Castrovilla and illustrator John O’Brien brilliantly capture the tensions and high drama of these two revolutionary rogues by highlighting their similarities and differences and demonstrating how they brought about their own tragic ends. This title also includes an afterword, timelines of the lives of both men, an extensive bibliography, and a list of key places to visit.
Selene Castrovilla fell in love with the humanity in America's history when she discovered the young Marquis de Lafayette’s passionate quest to help our nation. She is devoted to bringing hidden stories to life for young readers, revealing the real people behind our past. Visit selenecastrovilla.com. View titles by Selene Castrovilla
© Hannah Hoogerwoerd
John O'Brien also is the author and illustrator of Mother Hubbard's Christmas, which Booklist calls "a yuk-filled read-aloud." John is also a cartoonist for many magazines and newspapers, most notably The New Yorker, New York Times, and Esquire. He lives in Delran, New Jersey. Visit johnobrienillustrator.com. View titles by John O'Brien

About

NCSS/CBC Notable Trade Social Studies Book
Kansas Reading Circle Choice
Bank Street College Best Book
Tappantown Historical Society’s Achievement Award 

Young fans of the Broadway smash "Hamilton" will enjoy this riveting nonfiction picture book that unfolds like a play, telling a story from American history.

Gravely injured and with little chance for more military honors, Major General Benedict Arnold seeks reward and recognition another way. He contacts Major John André, the new head of British intelligence and another man determined to prove himself. Arnold and André strike a deal and use Arnold’s intelligence to take over West Point, the strategic American fort. The plan ultimately fails, leading to André’s capture and death and Arnold’s loss of reward and glory. Author Selene Castrovilla and illustrator John O’Brien brilliantly capture the tensions and high drama of these two revolutionary rogues by highlighting their similarities and differences and demonstrating how they brought about their own tragic ends. This title also includes an afterword, timelines of the lives of both men, an extensive bibliography, and a list of key places to visit.

Author

Selene Castrovilla fell in love with the humanity in America's history when she discovered the young Marquis de Lafayette’s passionate quest to help our nation. She is devoted to bringing hidden stories to life for young readers, revealing the real people behind our past. Visit selenecastrovilla.com. View titles by Selene Castrovilla
© Hannah Hoogerwoerd
John O'Brien also is the author and illustrator of Mother Hubbard's Christmas, which Booklist calls "a yuk-filled read-aloud." John is also a cartoonist for many magazines and newspapers, most notably The New Yorker, New York Times, and Esquire. He lives in Delran, New Jersey. Visit johnobrienillustrator.com. View titles by John O'Brien

Three Penguin Random House Authors Win Pulitzer Prizes

On Monday, May 5, three Penguin Random House authors were honored with a Pulitzer Prize. Established in 1917, the Pulitzer Prizes are the most prestigious awards in American letters. To date, PRH has 143 Pulitzer Prize winners, including William Faulkner, Eudora Welty, Josh Steinbeck, Ron Chernow, Anne Applebaum, Colson Whitehead, and many more. Take a look at our 2025 Pulitzer Prize

Read more

Books for LGBTQIA+ Pride Month

In June we celebrate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual + (LGBTQIA+) Pride Month, which honors the 1969 Stonewall riots in Manhattan. Pride Month is a time to both celebrate the accomplishments of those in the LGBTQ+ community and recognize the ongoing struggles faced by many across the world who wish to live

Read more