Like many books, this one was born of others. Several years ago, inspired by Little Big Minds by Marietta McCarty, I designed and taught a course at my children’s elementary school called Big Ideas — Introducing Philosophy to Children. We discussed many themes and the two that seemed to resonate the most with the students were courage and responsibility. Later, I decided to write a novel for young readers focusing on these two Big Ideas. After reading Washington’s Crossing by David Hackett Fisher, I knew that the dramatic, fascinating events of the first years of the American Revolution would be the perfect setting. My goal was to create an exciting story that was as close to actual history as possible and to show how, in the face of a seemingly hopeless situation, the decisions and actions of individuals added up to change the odds for our struggling new nation. Sam and a few other characters are fictional — the rest are real. With profound respect and humility, I hope that I have honored them in this tale.

To me, Sam’s story connects the reader to the past and the present. Two hundred and forty-three years later, the citizens of America are still determined to live up to the promises of the Revolution, pushing forward with the stubborn optimism of our ancestors toward a just and humane society for everyone. All over the world, young people are experiencing a new Age of Enlightenment, empowered by its ideals — reason, science, humanism, and a challenge to traditional authority — as they imagine and work for a better world. Like the Enlightenment, this is a time of both tremendous criticism and passionate inspiration. And like Sam, each of us who envisions a better future for ourselves and our children can make a difference.

I hope you enjoy reading The King’s Broad Arrow as much as I loved writing it.