The Journey of the One and Only Declaration of Independence [Hardcover]

Judith St. George (Author), Will Hillenbrand (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 19, 2005 | Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Everyone would agree the one and only Declaration of Independence deservesthe best. After all, it's at the heart of our country. But since it was signed in 1776, the Declaration has had as many ups and downs as the United States itself. It has been rolled up, copied, hidden away and traveled by horseback, sailing vessel, mail truck, railroad car and military tank. After being front and center of a new nation, it has escaped two British invasions and survived for more than two centuries of both peaceful times and devastating wars.What a journey! And it remains proudly the one and only Declaration of Independence.

Judith St. George, author of So You Want to Be President?, and Will Hillenbrand give readers a witty and wonderfully illustrated true story of the invincible Declaration, giving heroic testimony to the grit and determination of the country itself.A fun and fascinating way to share the history of the document that gave the American people their freedom.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. St. George (So, You Want to Be President?) offers readers another engaging foray into U.S. history as she chronicles the journey of one of the nation's most hallowed documents. "The Declaration of Independence has had more homes than a traveling circus." Though lengthy and far-reaching in scope, the account moves swiftly, thanks to a conversational style and a sprinkling of interesting, little-known facts. Readers follow the document from its creation ("Every S looked like an F, but since that was the way people wrote back then, nobody minded") to the many times it was spirited off to secret locales during wartime (e.g., Fort Knox during WWII) to the argument over its ultimate home in Washington D.C. An often tongue-in-cheek tone (a running joke reiterates that "parchment should never be folded") and humorous, parenthetical asides ensure the story's accessibility. Hillenbrand's (Down on the Farm) mixed-media artwork fluidly captures a variety of moods, from innocent-looking children to important historical figures, contributing mightily to this entertaining history lesson. One spread depicts elder statesmen—their monogrammed britches denote which of the original 13 states they represent—comically duking it out to highlight the nascent nation's infighting. But the artist also does not shy away from grave moments: a Civil War scene depicts a soldier reeling from a wound to the chest, near a heap of abstractly outlined bodies. History buffs or not, all readers will come away better informed about this honored 2'×21/2' sheet of parchment. Ages 5-up. (May)
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From School Library Journal

Starred Review. Grade 3-6–Few Americans are aware that "the Declaration of Independence has had more homes than a traveling circus." St. George reveals its interesting, sometimes perilous journey across time since Thomas Jefferson penned the words in 1776. Each leg of the trip is described in bouncy, interactive prose leading to a logical conclusion and a question for readers. For example: "Wow, the official, one-and-only Declaration of Independence was set forever in Philadelphia's handsome brick Pennsylvania State House on Chestnut Street. Right? WRONG!" Readers will learn fascinating details: the original Declaration was "engrossed–that is, written in large, clear letters on parchment"–by Timothy Matlack onto a two-foot-wide by two-and-a-half-foot-long parchment. The Declaration was shuffled from place to place during the war and for five years after because the quarreling 13 states acted "like thirteen spoiled children." Hillenbrand's lively mixed-media illustrations are a perfect match for the text, filling the pages with visual energy and humor. Stylized paintings feature creative depictions of major events in American history, such as doctors holding a stethoscope and running tests on an ailing Declaration in desperate need of repair. Children will enjoy finding the eagle on every spread actively engaged in the scene. This well-researched, readable, and well-illustrated book belongs on the shelves of all public and school libraries. It's a wonderful way to learn history.–Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Philomel (May 19, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399237380
• ISBN-13: 978-0399237386
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 11.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #369,869 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! What a book!, August 18, 2005

By 

Ann Gaines (in the woods in central Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Journey of the One and Only Declaration of Independence (Hardcover)

I'm an armchair historian who's also interested in children's literature and so I'm always on the lookout for lively kids' books on the topics that interest me. Yesterday, just by chance, I came across this book at the library and after looking at just a couple of pages, I checked it out immediately. I knew I'd truly enjoy it, but I assumed it wouldn't interest my kids, who are focused on enjoying the last days of summer. They want to read manga, not history. Imagine my surprise then when once we were back in the car and headed for home my teenage son picked up this book, pointed out a funny picture to his sister (also teenaged) and then began to read its especially funny and interesting bits out loud. We all got so involved in it that he started to read it to us word for word. Now all five members of my family - we range in age from 9 to 47 - have read it.

And so I give this book my heartiest recommendation. This is a very lively read, packed with facts and enlivened by very colorful illustrations, which are not just attractive but worth looking at very closely. (One of the things I like best about this book is that its words and pictures work hand in hand - you learn from both.) The author's writing style is very interesting. I love her use of interesting words like wingding. I'm impressed by her very clear description of some big ideas (she describes the process of engraving in just three or four sentences).

I know that because this is a picture book it will most likely be read mostly not by but to small children. But I think it deserves a much broader audience. It would be a great place for any student writing a report about the Declaration to start. It would also make a great gift for anyone with a sense of humor who's especially interested in the Revolution, Thomas Jefferson, or the Declaration. Five stars from me.