The signers: The fifty-six stories behind the Declaration of Independence - Softcover

Fradin, Dennis B

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0439495601 ISBN 13: 9780439495608

Publisher: Scholastic, 2003

Synopsis

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."

For more than 225 years these words have inspired men and women in countries the world over to risk everything in pursuit of these lofty ideals. When they first appeared in our nation's birth certificate, the Declaration of Independence, they were a call to action for a colony on the brink of rebellion. The 56 men who dared to sign their names to this revolutionary document knew they were putting their reputations, their fortunes, and their very lives on the line by boldly and publicly declaring their support for liberty and freedom. As Benjamin Franklin said as he signed his name, "We must all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately!"

Who were these men who are the first heroes of our nation? Award-winning team of author Dennis Brindell Fradin and illustrator Michael McCurdy bring their considerable talents together to illuminate the lives of these valiant men, ranging from the poorest farmers to the wealthiest merchants, whose dauntless courage inspired thousands of colonists to risk all for freedom.

About this title

About the Author

Michael McCurdy (1942-2016), a well-known illustrator and woodcut artist, lived in Massachusetts.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6-Most children may know that John Hancock signed the Declaration of Independence, but do they know about the other 55 signers? Each of these men had a life before, during, and after his historical act, yet most of them are unknown. Fradin gives brief, fascinating glimpses into the people who have been overlooked as well as those with whom readers might be familiar. This well-organized book is divided into 13 sections-one for each of the colonies. Each section begins with a brief history of the colony, including its industries, population, and notable persons during the years leading up to and during the American Revolution. A map and a chart listing the vital statistics of the signers complete the introduction to each chapter. Next, information about their backgrounds, their contributions to America's independence, and their lives after signing the Declaration is presented. None of the primary facts or dates has been neglected, yet the lively style of the text maintains readers' interest. The full text of the document is included. The black-and-white scratchboard illustrations are rough and rather crude, and reinforce the historical tone of the text. An excellent resource for report writing.
Heather E. Miller, Homewood Public Library, AL
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Scholastic
• Publication date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0439495601
• ISBN 13: 9780439495608
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 164