Reading Lists - The Declaration of Independence

The following books are recommended for children in grades 4-8. This list was compiled by using the on-line catalog of the Louisville Free Public Library. All books may not be available in every branch and there may only be single copies available. For more information or to verify the information listed below, you may want to check the Louisville Free Public Library's listings directly.

• Brennar, Barbra. If You Were There In 1776. New York: Bradbury Press; Toronto: Maxwell Macmillan Canada; New York: Maxwell Macmillan International, 1994. 136 pp.
  Demonstrates how the concepts and principals expressed in the Declaration of Independence were drawn from the experiences if living in America in the late eighteenth century.
• Fradin, Dennis. The Declaration of Independence. Childrens Press, 1988.
  With plenty of illustrations, it gives some historical background on the thirteen colonies, and goes on to describe how the Declaration of Independence was written and adopted.
• Freedman, Russell. Give Me Liberty! New York: Scholastic Inc., 2001. 90 pp.
  Describes the events leading up to the Declaration of Independence as well as the personalities and politics behind its framing.
• Marcovitz, Hal. The Declaration of Independence. Philadelphia: Mason Crest Publishers, 2003. 48 pp.
  Examines the political situation in America at the time of the troubles between England and her colonies there and describes how the Declaration of Independence was written and accepted.
• Nardo, Don. The Declaration of Independence. San Diego: Lucent Books, 1999. 96 pp.
  Discusses the drafting, composition, symbolism, ideas, and influence of the Declaration of Independence.
• Oberle, Lora. The Declaration of Independence. Mankato: Bridgestone Books, 2002. 48 pp.
  Provides background information on the people and events connected with the writing of the Declaration of Independence and briefly examines the contents of the document itself.
• Quiri, Patricia. The Declaration of Independence. New York: Children's Press, 1998. 47 pp.
  Discusses the circumstances preceding and fallowing the writing of the Declaration of Independence and describes how it was written, approved, and announced.
• Sandak, Cass. The Jeffersons. New York: Crestwood House; Toronto: Maxwell Macmillan Canada; New York: Maxwell Macmillan International. 1992. 48 pp.
  An Account of the life of Thomas Jefferson and his family, describing his private and political affairs and the events of his presidency.
• Schleifer, Jay. Our Declaration of Independence. Millbrook, 1992.
  A slender yet informative volume. It places the Declaration in its historical context, introduces the Founding Fathers, and offers a clear analysis of key passages. It also includes interesting side issues such as the fate of the original document and where it is currently displayed.
• States, United. The Declaration of Independence. New York: Scholastic Nonfiction, 2002. 160pp.
  The text of the Declaration of Independence is accompanied by illustrations ment to help explain its meaning.