Give Me Liberty!

The Story of the Declaration of Independence

By Russell Freedman

Most enjoyed by 4th graders and up

The 4th of July is just around the corner which means it's time to remember why we celebrate the day with fireworks, picnics, and baseball. In 'Give Me Liberty!', author Russell Freedman writes about the events and people behind the creation of our most treasured document, the Declaration of Independence. Freedman goes beyond the big names that are so familiar (Franklin, Jefferson, Revere) and talks about how the English policy of taxation without representation affected average colonists and what those colonists did to let their feelings be known. 'Liberty' is not about the the revolutionary war, although initial battles are discussed. Freedman's focus here is on the creation of the Declaration itself, what it meant for Americans then, and what price they were willing to pay for that freedom. Definitely the title to pick up to read to make you wave the red, white and blue harder and higher! This is another title in the "We the People: Created Equal' bookshelf so watch for more about the book when we get back to school in the fall.