Book Review - One Dead Spy: The Life, Times, and Last Words of Nathan Hale, America's Most Famous Spy



1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Hale, Nathan. (2021). ONE DEAD SPY: THE LIFE, TIMES, AND LAST WORDS OF
NATHAN HALE, AMERICA’S MOST FAMOUS SPY. Amulet Books, an imprint of
Abrams. ISBN: 9781419757266

2. PLOT SUMMARY

This graphic novel took the real life spy Nathan Hale to tell tales of history. In this first
installment in the series, he told his story and how it is tied in with the revolutionary war.
Nathan Hale was to be hanged for spy crimes, but was swallowed up by the Big Book of
History instead, and then he told an English Soldier and the Hangman what he had
seen, thus putting off his execution.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The author breaks down the facts of the revolutionary war through a failed American spy
in this graphic novel. He is able to fit in real drawings, maps, and diagrams while still
making way for humorous dialogue and pictures including a few fourth wall breaks. By
focusing on Nathan Hale as a level headed trustworthy narrator, the author is able to
make the Hangmen act as a simple-minded jester who asks questions, giving Hale the
opportunity to explain, and leaves opportunities for funny quips. The British Soldier, who
makes up the last of the trio, acts as a mild antagonist which allows Hale to emphasize
the facts of the war. These three characters together create a page-turning story that is
more delightful than a textbook.

The pictures themselves are cartoons, allowing for more exaggerated features and facial
expressions on the characters. The author made the choice to only use black, white, and
red throughout the whole book. This works in his favor as he tinges the flashbacks of the
revolutionary war in reds while keeping the present in black and white. This makes it
visually appealing and easy to see when the narrators switch back and forth between
timelines.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

ALA - GREAT GRAPHIC NOVELS FOR TEENS
KIRKUS REVIEW: “An innovative approach to history that will have young people
reading with pleasure.”

5. CONNECTIONS

*Middle and high schoolers will enjoy learning history in a new innovative way.
*Explore the other tales told by Nathan Hale:
LAFAYETTE! A REVOLUTIONARY WAR TALE. ISBN: 978-1419731488
TREATIES, TRENCHES, MUD, AND BLOOD: A WORLD WAR I TALE. ISBN:
978-1419708084
RAID OF NO RETURN: A WORLD WAR II TALE OF THE DOOLITTLE RAID. ISBN:
978-1419725562

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