George Washington's Socks by Elvira Woodruff

• Genre: Fiction; Historical adventure
• Originally Published: 1991
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 770L; Grades 4-7
• Structure/Length: 16 chapters; approximately 176 pages
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: The novel follows a group of friends who are transported back in time to the American Revolutionary War after trying on George Washington's socks. Caught in the midst of history, they must navigate the challenges of the war and make important decisions that could alter its outcome. The central conflict revolves around the friends' efforts to find a way back to their own time while also contributing to the war effort and learning valuable lessons about courage and sacrifice.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Themes of war; historical context; descriptions of death and violence

Elvira Woodruff, Author

• Bio: Born 1951; American author known for her middle-grade historical fiction and adventure novels; explores themes of time travel, historical events, and friendship; has written novels that engage young readers with historical periods and figures; draws inspiration from her own love of history and storytelling
• Other Works: The Ravenmaster's Secret (2003); Dear Austin: Letters from the Underground Railroad (2000); The Memory Coat (1999); Fearless (2005); The Christmas Doll (2000); The Summer I Shrank My Grandmother (2004)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

• Duty and Responsibility of a Leader
• Empathy for the “Other”
• Comfort in the Familiar