Give Me Liberty: The Story of the Declaration of Independence [Paperback]

Russell Freedman (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

Describes the events leading up to the Declaration of Independence as well as the personalities and politics behind its framing.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-Known for his stellar biographies and superb nonfiction, Freedman now offers a fine book about the creation of one of the nation's most important historical documents. The first five chapters vividly bring to life the events that led to Colonial uprising and revolt. The next three chapters describe the Second Continental Congress, formation of the Continental Army, Battle of Bunker Hill, and drafting of the Declaration by Thomas Jefferson. The final chapter discusses the impact of the famous document at the time it was written and its continuing importance, and offers practical information about its preservation, storage, and display. The author points out the important roles women, slaves, and free blacks played in the Revolution, but is also careful to note the restrictions placed on these groups by the white male majority. Quotations from journals, essays, speeches, letters, and songs of the day add color to the compelling narration. Many bold reproductions, in color and black and white, supplement the text. A must for every collection.
Leah J. Sparks, Bowie Public Library, MD
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

Gr. 4-7. How does he do it? Once again Freedman takes a crucial moment in American history and imbues it with living grace and powerful tension. His account opens on the night of the Boston Tea Party as a 14-year-old apprentice escapes from his locked room, blackens his face, and sneaks aboard three ships in the harbor. Two hundred men and boys dumped the ships' cargo of tea in the water that night. "All that trouble over a three-cent tax on tea!" writes Freedman, who then explains the colonies' relationship to England, the reasons for colonists' discontent, and how the vision of freedom as a right evolved from English law and the oppression that brought the colonists to America. Using excerpts from newspapers, snatches of contemporary verse and letters, and an array of images, Freedman acquaints readers with Patrick Henry and Paul Revere, the first deaths at Lexington and Concord, Thomas Paine's Common Sense , and finally, the Continental Congress and the writing of the Declaration of Independence. Along the way, he frankly delineates the place of women, indentured servants, and African American slaves and freedmen, and explains their roles in the revolution. His account clearly shows what was at risk and the way the words of the Declaration have endured over time. The complete text of the Declaration and information on how to view the original document conclude a rich history. GraceAnne DeCandido
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 90 pages
• Publisher: Holiday House (P); Reprint edition (April 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823417530
• ISBN-13: 978-0823417537
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #626,951 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Give Me Liberty, April 28, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Give Me Liberty: The Story of the Declaration of Independence (Paperback)

This book is about the Declaration of Independence. It all began with the Boston Tea Party when men and boys dumped tea out. They did not want to pay King George taxes. So, the British came to Boston to assault the Americans. Read this book to find out many more interesting facts about this time in history. My favorite part was when Patrick Henry said, "Give me liberty or give me death." My favorite character is George Washington because he was our first president, and he won a lot of battles against the British. I think that others would like this book because it is about the Declaration of Independence.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding American history book for young readers, May 25, 2004

By 

Daniel Jolley "darkgenius" (Shelby, North Carolina USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Give Me Liberty!: The Story of the Declaration of Independence (Hardcover)

This book may be aimed at young readers between 9 and 12 years old, yet readers of any age can benefit from Russell Freedman's basic yet very informative look at the writing of the Declaration of Independence and the events and ideas that helped shape it. Opening with the exciting story of the Boston Tea Party, Freedman walks the reader through the series of events leading up to the start of the Revolutionary War and America's formal declaration of independence from the English government. After a quick summary of American history up to the crucial events of the 1770s, Freedman describes the range of taxes, burdens, and laws that the British Crown and Parliament forced on its increasingly recalcitrant colonies. The words of such men as Thomas Paine and Patrick Henry are once again called upon to reveal the unquenchable thirst for freedom which would help convince a divided population to take up arms in defense of a new, independent nation.

Freedman then presents a wonderful summary of the early skirmishes and battles of the Revolutionary War: the Boston Massacre, the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the Battle of Bunker Hill (Breed's Hill), the ill-fated (and very poorly planned) attack on Quebec, the English naval bombardment of coastal towns such as Charlestown, Massachusetts and Charleston, South Carolina, etc. Against this backdrop of burgeoning military conflict stands the work of the First and Second Continental Congresses, and Freedman provides an excellent assessment of the differences of opinion that had to be ironed out before America dared claim her independence. Freedman does an especially nice job of showing how the events of the first skirmishes of the war affected the thinking of Continental Congress delegates. He closes with a discussion of the Declaration of Independence, imparting the true significance and provocative importance of this document too easily taken for granted today.

Freedman does not cover the events of the Revolutionary War after July 1776, but he does devote a chapter to an informed discussion of the legacy of the Declaration of Independence, discussing its relevance to later issues such as the emancipation of the slaves, women's suffrage, and the civil rights movements. He shows just how significant and visionary the document remains to this very day and gives readers the chance to read it in its entirety. He closes with a chronology of important events and a bibliography featuring recommendations to adults as well as children for future reading. Packed with wonderful prints and illustrations, Give Me Liberty! The Story of the Declaration of Independence offers readers a concise yet highly informative look at the document that defines the United States of America.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars History comes alive, September 11, 2000

By 

Dr. R. W. Barber (Philadelphia, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Give Me Liberty!: The Story of the Declaration of Independence (Hardcover)

The words rang out from Philadelphia, liberty, equality. Not merely a dry, historic document, the Declaration of Independence summed up a century of political thought and years of practical experience governing the colonies. These words brought forth a new nation and are among the most influental ever written. Freedman brings them alive against the backdrop of the times.