The Ride: The Legend of Betsy Dowdy

The setting is December 8, 1775 in Currituck, North Carolina and the people of North Carolina wanted freedom from England’s rule. This only led to worse laws and the people were punished. Betsy Dowdy was a sixteen year old girl who knew that war was approaching. She found out that the redcoats were coming to her city to take their supplies and the only way to get protection was to go to a camp that was fifty miles away. But no one wanted to go on this ride because it was way too long and too dangerous. Betsy knew that the soldiers had to be stopped so she decided that she would wear breeches and she would ride her horse, Bess, to make the journey. They were riding for freedom. As they began their dangerous journey, they travel through scary forest and Betsy falls off a Bess multiple times. She makes it to the camp and tells them that the redcoats were coming. They sent the militia to Currituck and Betsy and Bess saved the town. This victory, thanks to Betsy and Bess, proved that the British could be defeated.

Once again, I would use this book for upper elementary students and if I were to teach in North Carolina. This would be a great historical fiction picture book to use while teaching the Revolutionary War. This story would be great for students to analyze the fact and fiction in the book. I would want them to research Elizabeth City, North Carolina because the Daughters of the American Revolution named their chapter after Betsy Dowdy. This story represents the spirit of freedom. My students could come up with their own story of freedom. Teachers could also explain what legends are by using this book. I also want to explain how Betsy broke the cultural rules by wearing breeches. In that time period, women were not allowed to wear pants. Students could do research on the clothing that they people wore during that time period. Lastly, I could use this book to gather students’ interest and hopefully plan a field trip for them to see a museum that included artifacts from the Revolutionary War. 

The Ride: The Legend of Betsy Dowdy

Author: Kitty Griffin

Illustrator: Majorie Priceman

Year Published: 2010