George Washington's Socks

CHAPTERS 1-7

Reading Check

1. In the sugar bowl (Chapter 1)

2. To go on a hike in the woods (Chapter 3)

3. “Emit Levart” (Chapter 6)

4. Their home state of Nebraska (Chapter 7)

Short Answer

1. Matthew has started an adventure club with his friends Tony, Hooter, and Q. Each meeting, they read about a story from Great Adventures in History, starting with George Washington’s crossing of the Delaware. (Chapter 1)

2. Matthew is the president of the club, since it was his idea. Tony is the “scout,” since he is the smallest person on the team, and Q is the “brain,” since he is the smartest boy in school. Hooter is the club’s strong man. Matthew’s sister Katie is also allowed a temporary membership. (Chapters 1-2)

3. While the club members hike through the woods, Tony tells them the legend of the local lake, which he heard from his grandfather: Many people who disappeared, including his grandfather’s childhood friend, were seen mysteriously on a rowboat out on the lake, with a three-quarter moon in the sky. (Chapter 4)

4. After searching for several minutes, Matthew sees his sister next to the lake. She is transfixed by a rowboat and tries to climb into it. Matthew and the other club members run over to try and stop her; however, they also fall under the spell and are compelled to get on the boat along with Katie. (Chapter 5)

5. After waking up in particularly harsh, cold weather conditions, the club members realize that Katie has fallen out of the boat. They see in the distance a man helping her from the river into his boat, who introduces himself as George Washington. After some deliberation, the club members realize that they have traveled back in time to 1776. (Chapter 7) 

CHAPTERS 8-15

Reading Check

1. The Tories (Chapter 8)

2. Marbleheaders (Chapter 8)

3. Adam Hibbs (Chapter 8)

4. He is mistaken for a soldier and forced to join the march. (Chapter 9)

5. He “sold [him]self as a substitute.” (Chapter 10)

6. Paid mercenaries (Chapter 12)

Short Answer

1. Matthew notes that the soldiers are dressed in “threadbare” clothing, with many of them missing coats, hats, and shoes despite the very cold weather. He realizes that the soldier next to him “had no jacket, just a loose linen overshirt, and instead of boots or shoes his feet were wrapped in rags.” (Chapter 8)

2. Israel Gates is a young soldier in the Continental Army. The boys meet while trying to pry a board from a fence for sleeping, and Matthew gives Israel one of his sneakers after he sees the boy’s infected foot. (Chapter 10)

3. Henry Knox is a bookstore owner from Boston who gave up his business in order to enlist and fight the British, ultimately commanding the Continental Artillery Regiment. Matthew focused on this figure in his report; he is amazed to see Knox and how he, like the other soldiers, “believed in freedom and were willing to give up their lives for that cause.” (Chapter 11)

4. As Israel grows sicker, he becomes increasingly dependent on Matthew to help him walk. Matthew helps Israel to the side of the road, where Israel asks Matthew to deliver the beads he bought as a present for his sister to his house. They lean into each other to sleep, and after some time, Israel passes away. (Chapters 13-14)

5. Mr. Hornbee finds Matthew asleep next to Israel, who has passed away. Despite Matthew’s efforts to remain next to his friend, Mr. Hornbee takes Matthew back to his cabin, where he gives him warm cider, blankets, a fresh set of clothes, and a mule for his departure. (Chapter 14)

CHAPTERS 16-23

Reading Check

1. A video game (Chapter 17)

2. War paint (Chapter 18)

3. A US $1 bill (Chapter 20)

4. That “he will personally see that Miss Abigail Gates receives her beads” (Chapter 20)

5. That “Emit Levart” is “time travel” spelled backwards (Chapter 21)

6. A bag of marshmallows (Chapter 22)

Short Answer

1. After entering the forest with Blackjack the mule, Matthew comes across Native Americans, and Tony and Hooter are with them. The club members explain how they were separated that night, as well as how the Hessians captured Q and Katie. (Chapter 16)

2. The three boys see a camp of Hessians with Q and Katie sitting around the fire. They witness Q trying to explain to the Hessians how to blow a piece of chewing gum, when Matthew comes up with a plan: They will steal the Hessians’ muskets and threaten to shoot the mercenaries (as a bluff) in order to get Q and Katie back. (Chapter 18)

3. Gustav is the Hessian soldier charged with bringing the club members back to the Hessian camp. Matthew is surprised at the empathy Gustav shows for Katie and the rest of his friends, even though Gustav is supposed to be their violent captor. Unfortunately, Gustav is murdered by rebel soldiers. (Chapter 19)

4. Matthew is “awestruck” when General Washington approaches him about returning his coat previously. He then recognizes Katie and offers her a pair of woolen socks to keep her feet warm. (Chapter 20)

5. After Katie locates the rowboat, she activates the time travel by stating aloud she would like to return home. The boys quickly jump in and the boat returns the group to the 20th century. Although the members are slightly nostalgic for their adventure, they are also glad to be home and agree to never discuss the adventure with anyone else. (Chapters 21-23)