Rescuing the Declaration of Independence by Anna Crowley Redding and Edwin Fotheringham - ESSENTIAL

Rescuing the Declaration of Independence: How we almost lost the words that built America by Anna Crowley Redding, illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Harper, 2020. $19. 9780062740328 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

When James Monroe saw that the British were headed towards Washington DC in 1814, he sent word immediately to America’s new capitol to “remove the records”. Stephen Pleasonton, Monroe’s clerk, knew immediately exactly what his boss meant – he had to get all of the documents from the founding of the country to safety – including the Declaration of Independence and The Constitution. But it would take the help of many of the citizens to move the wagonloads of documents not just once, but twice, to keep them out of British hands. 

American History teachers will love this episode from the War of 1812. Any level class can happily use this as part of their American History work. Redding tells the story in a compelling way and Fotheringham’s illustrations have just the right old-fashioned look. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS