Independence Day: Birthday of the United States (Finding Out about Holidays) [Library Binding]

Elaine Landau (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5-Landau gently challenges the myths and assumptions about Columbus, acknowledging his mistreatment of Native Americans. She places the period of discovery and exploration in the Americas in a general historical context and presents varied opinions about the holiday as well as its history and diverse celebrations. There are instructions for making a sailboat from a walnut shell, paper, and clay. Mir Ansary's Columbus Day (Heinemann Library, 1998) simplifies information for a younger audience, while Vicki Liestman's Columbus Day (Carolrhoda, 1991) concentrates on the need to refocus it. Landau's book gives readers food for thought about the man, the period, and how the holiday might be interpreted and celebrated in today's world. It's sure to generate class discussion. Independence Day begins with a brief history of our fight for freedom, moving into the traditional components of Fourth of July celebrations-fireworks, parades, and food. A separate chapter highlights the 100th and 200th anniversaries. While traditional celebrations are described, the author also shares some unusual takes on the day. Projects include a "Glitter Sparkler" and "Celebration Ice-Cream Sundae." In both books, sidebars and archival photos and paintings appear on every page and expand on the information. Patrick Merrick's Fourth of July Fireworks (Child's World, 2001) introduces the holiday in a question-and-answer format and stresses fireworks, while Stan Hoig's It's the 4th of July! (Cobblehill, 1995; o.p.) describes the day for an older audience, giving more historical context and background. General overviews for social-studies units and for libraries needing more breadth in their collections.
Janie Schomberg, Leal Elementary School, Urbana, IL
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Library Binding: 48 pages
• Publisher: Enslow Elementary (February 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0766015718
• ISBN-13: 978-0766015715
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,223,685 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm a children's book author and writing coach who loves both children and books. I've never been much of a fiction fan, I've spent my time both reading and writing nonfiction. I live in tropical Miami with my husband and son who are nonfiction lovers as well.

Customer Reviews

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An introduction for young readers to Independence Day, July 4, 2004

By 

Lawrance M. Bernabo (The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Independence Day: Birthday of the United States (Finding Out about Holidays) (Library Binding)

"Independence Day: Birthday of the United States" begins with the simple premise that just as everybody has a birthday so does our country. For the United States that day is July 4, 1776 because that is the day the leaders of the Second Continental Congress agreed on the exact wording of the Declaration of Independence. However, as Elaine Landau points out, the first celebration of Independence Day was really on July 8, 1776, because it took several days for news and copies of the Declaration to reach all thirteen colonies.

Landau provides a chapter explaining the history of Independence Day, working in the icons such as the Liberty Bell, but most of the book is devoted to festivities associated with the day, such as fireworks, parades, and food. A chapter is also devoted to the two biggest Independence Days, the centennial in 1876 with the International Exposition in Philadelphia and the bicentennial in 1976. The final chapter looks at the many way Americans celebrate the 4th of July, from all day block parties to eight foot cherry pies, and the back of the book includes a couple of Independence Day Projects for Glitter Sparklers and a Celebration Ice-Cream Sundae.

"Independence Day" is illustrated with both historic artwork, such as a version of Trumbull's painting of the committee presenting the Declaration to the Continental Congress and postcards from the 1800s celebrating the 4th of July, along with photographs such as several of the bicentennial being celebrated in New York City and the "Photo of the Century," which shows one hundred Americans of all different ages born in a different year from 1900 to 1999, including people from all fifty states. Young readers will learn a lot about the diverse ways Independence Day has been celebrated for over two hundred years.

This volume is one of a series devoted to Finding Out About the Holidays which includes "Chinese New Year: A Time for Parades, Family, and Friends," "Christmas: Celebrating, Life, Giving, and Kindness," "Columbus Day: Celebrating a Famous Explorer," "Halloween: Costumes and Treats on All Hallows' Eve," and "Thanksgiving Day: A Time to be Thankful."