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(3)
K-3
Smithsonian Little Explorer: Introducing Primary Sources series.
This engaging series strikes the right balance between information and images. Each volume focuses on a primary source or site, examining the events that led to its creation, its evolving role throughout history, and its current status. Well-captioned photographs, maps, documents, and paintings are featured prominently throughout, breaking up the age-appropriate texts. Core standards–aligned critical-thinking questions are appended. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Smithsonian Little Explorer titles: The Declaration of Independence, The U.S. Capitol, The White House.
24 pp.
| Child's
| August, 2016
|
LibraryISBN 978-1503809017$19.95
(4)
4-6
How America Works series.
Part of a middle-grade series about the workings of the U.S. government, this book gives basic historical information about the founding document. A choppy text discusses the rift with England, the Declaration's writing and dissemination, ratification, adaptation, and its continuing value as an instrument of "liberty and equality." Illustrations, archival document images, and sidebars add interest to the brief narrative. Reading list. Glos., ind.
32 pp.
| Kane Press
| April, 2016
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-57565-830-8$25.32
|
PaperISBN 978-1-57565-747-9$7.95
|
EbookISBN 978-1-57565-748-6
(4)
K-3
Holidays & Heroes series.
These books delve into the purpose and historical background of two national holidays. Independence provides an overview of the Declaration of Independence and the various ways the holiday has been celebrated from 1776 to today. Memorial traces the holiday's beginning as Decoration Day in 1868 through the many changes to it since. Photographs and period illustrations accompany the lackluster texts. Review covers the following Holidays & Heroes titles: Let's Celebrate Independence Day and Let's Celebrate Memorial Day.
(4)
4-6
Timeline Trackers: America's Beginnings series.
Using brief narratives, illustrations, and inserts, this series presents an overview of early American history from the formation of the original thirteen colonies to Washington's election in 1789. A timeline along the bottom of each page highlights important dates. Although information is cursory, the texts are accessible and appropriate for the intended audience. Suggestions for writing activities are included. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Timeline Trackers: America's Beginnings titles: A Timeline History of the Declaration of Independence, A Timeline History of the Early American Republic, and A Timeline History of the Thirteen Colonies.
(3)
4-6
Foundations of Our Nation series.
These books briefly outline sequential events that led the Colonies to seek independence from Great Britain. Following a basic format, each volume describes the historic occurrence and the principal characters involved; the inclusion of primary source material is valuable. Sidebars, drawings, maps, and photographs add to the readable texts. "Stop and think" questions invite student input. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Foundations of Our Nation titles: The French and Indian War, The Boston Massacre, The Boston Tea Party, and The Declaration of Independence.
48 pp.
| Scholastic
| January, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-0-545-22268-6$17.99
(4)
4-6
Illustrated by
Edwin Fotheringham.
Kerley lightly outlines the commonalities of differences between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. There's some oversimplification (e.g., taxation is mentioned as a problem, while lack of representation is not), but the text is lively and informative. Fotheringham's lighthearted illustrations, in various shades of red, white, and blue, dominate each page and reinforce the tone. An author's note and facsimile of the Declaration of Independence are included. Bib.
40 pp.
| Lerner
| February, 2012
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7613-6514-3$27.93
(4)
4-6
Searchlight Books: How Does Government Work? series.
These books provide accessible overviews of the U.S. government. Documents looks at the creation of three essential documents from the late 1700s. The other volumes discuss running for elected office and the three branches of government. Lots of archival illustrations and/or photographs break up the concise, choppily written texts. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Searchlight Books: How Does Government Work? titles: Checks and Balances, Judges and Courts, The President, Vice President, and Cabinet, The Congress, Getting Elected, and Documents of Freedom.
32 pp.
| Pelican
| January, 2010
|
TradeISBN 978-1-58980-676-4$16.99
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Layne Johnson.
This book presents, in alphabetical sequence, a standard narrative of the events leading to and the players involved in the Declaration and its aftermath. Osornio embeds definitions of terms--a few are a bit of a stretch (yearly, zeal)--while paragraphs inspired by each letter give sufficiently detailed historical accounts. Deeply colored paintings intensify the colonial spirit of the book.
32 pp.
| Heinemann
| July, 2008
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-4329-0984-0$25.36
(4)
K-3
First Guide to Government series.
This series attempts to explain the concept of America's national symbols. Beginning readers will appreciate the simple vocabulary, though the boilerplate language common to all books is vague and dull ("A symbol is a type of sign. A symbol shows you something"). Clear photographs and reproductions provide visual support. Glos., ind. Review covers these Patriotic Symbols titles: The Capitol Building, The Lincoln Memorial, Mount Rushmore, The National Anthem, and The Washington Monument.
32 pp.
| Capstone
| August, 2008
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-4296-1929-5$23.93
(4)
4-6
Fact Finders: Kids' Translations series.
Following a brief context-setting introduction, the complete texts of the title documents are reprinted, surrounded by a paraphrased version of each, photographs and maps, definitions, questions, and additional information. This is a well-conceived concept, though it's likely that some information will get lost on the crowded pages. The concluding chapters provide additional background. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fact Finders: Kids' Translations titles: The Declaration of Independence in Translation and The Gettysburg Address in Translation.
32 pp.
| Holiday
| May, 2005
|
TradeISBN 0-8234-1846-4$16.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Ronald Himler.
In measured prose, the Adlers recount Adams's life, particularly his contributions to the American Revolution, from an early involvement in politics through organizing groups such as the Sons of Liberty, the Stamp Act Congress, the Boston Tea Party, and the Second Continental Congress, where he signed the Declaration of Independence. Art in subdued tones illustrates the text. Source notes, timeline, websites. Bib.
48 pp.
| Philomel
| May, 2005
|
TradeISBN 0-399-23738-0$16.99
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Will Hillenbrand.
With breezy authority, this book reveals how war, celebration, and misguided preservation efforts forced the removal of the Declaration of Independence from place to place, the artifact suffering such indignities as heat stress, fading, and smoke exposure. It's an amiable account, chatty and full of rhetorical questions. Hillenbrand's bright mixed-media line-and-color illustrations borrow from the conventions of old political cartoons.
Reviewer: Vicky Smith
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
July, 2005
256 pp.
| Oxford
| June, 2004
|
TradeISBN 0-19-514368-X$28.00
(3)
YA
Oxford Portraits series.
Not the usual by-the-numbers series biography, this book focuses on the philosophy of the writer of the Declaration of Independence. With few illustrations to break up the dense text, this book is for the most intrepid readers, who will be rewarded with an in-depth look into the mind of Jefferson. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind.
128 pp.
| Enslow
| September, 2004
|
LibraryISBN 0-7660-2212-9$26.60
(4)
4-6
America's Founding Fathers series.
Although these laudatory biographies gloss over the more controversial aspects of their subjects' lives and characters (Washington's involvement in an attack on a diplomatic party, Hamilton's and Jefferson's respective mudslinging campaigns), they will provide report writers with basic information. Black-and-white images appear throughout. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these America's Founding Fathers titles: George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and Thomas Jefferson.
48 pp.
| Lerner
| November, 2004
|
LibraryISBN 0-8225-1547-4$25.26
(4)
4-6
History Maker Bios series.
Illustrated with archival photos and art (as well as unfortunately cartoonish illustrations), each of these books presents a brief overview of the life of a famous American leader. Sidebars with tidbits of additional information extend the choppy text. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these History Maker Bios titles: Dwight D. Eisenhower, Andrew Jackson, John Hancock, John F. Kennedy, Theodore Roosevelt, and Franklin D. Roosevelt.
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Mark Hess.
Narrated by young Ned, whose mother runs the boarding house where Thomas Jefferson stays in 1776, this story shows Ned's conversion from loyalist to rebel. The boy is influenced by Jefferson's personality, his spoken and written words, and a popular move toward that position. Finely detailed, if slightly static, illustrations interpret the text, which conveys a child's perspective effectively but ends somewhat abruptly.
32 pp.
| Chelsea Clubhouse
| November, 2003
|
LibraryISBN 0-7910-7334-3$$14.95
(3)
K-3
America in Words and Songs series.
These books give readers insight into the history of two American cornerstones. Report writers will find the narratives useful, and photographs and archival illustrations enhance the text, as do a number of sidebars. Declaration includes the entire text of the document. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these America in Words and Songs titles: The Declaration of Independence and The Pledge of Allegiance.
(4)
4-6
Historical Documents series.
These books focus on the stories behind these historic documents with short chapters that provide a straightforward overview of their origins, rationale, application, and occasional controversy. Photographs, illustrations, and sidebars supplement the clearly written, although overly brief, text. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Historical Documents titles: The Mayflower Compact, The Bill of Rights, The Declaration of Independence, and The United States Constitution.
160 pp.
| Scholastic
| July, 2002
|
TradeISBN 0-439-40700-1$$19.95
(3)
4-6
The complete text of the Declaration of Independence is presented, phrase by phrase, on double-page spreads, with one page containing the text and the other an illustration that helps elucidate the words. Examining the document in smaller fragments and including art reminiscent of editorial cartoons makes the Declaration more accessible to young readers. A chronology of events is included. Bib., glos., ind.
(2)
4-6
Illustrated by
Michael McCurdy.
Quietly dignified, with stately black-and-white illustrations, the format of this impressive volume reflects its subject. A brief essay introduces each state, followed by short presentations on the state's delegates, each featuring a cameo-like portrait and an interpretive vignette. A reproduction of the original document and a printed version are included in this thoughtfully conceived and well-executed book. Bib., ind.
Reviewer: Mary M. Burns
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
January, 2003
25 reviews
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