Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
The Declaration of American Independence
Nonfiction
For ages 12 and up
The Creative Company, 2010 ISBN: 978-1583417331
Often a story from history is fragmented, and important details are left out. This can, on occasion, give people a skewed or even a flawed picture of what really happened all those years ago. For example, many people imagine that the America’s declaration of its independence was a done deal on July 4th, 1776. The real story is somewhat different.
In early July in 1776, the colonial Congress met in Philadelphia to go over a document – the Declaration of Independence - that Thomas Jefferson had written. Jefferson was not pleased with the way his writing was edited by the delegates, but there was nothing that he could do about it. Congress approved the edited document on July 4th, and on that day only one American signed it, John Hancock. It wasn’t until August 2nd that other congressional delegates added their names to the document, and they had to leave space for the remaining delegates who were absent on that day. In addition, the representatives from the colony of New York did not give their “aye” vote for independence until some weeks after the 4th of July.
These and many other interesting facts about the Declaration of Independence, its story, and its legacy, fill the pages of this fascinating book. In addition to the narrative, there are quotes from present day historians and from people who were alive during the American Revolutionary period. There are also interesting annotations that will help readers to get a vivid picture of must have been like to witness this important period in America’s history.
