“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” It’s the most famous line in our most famous political document, neatly expressing what our country stands for. The Declaration of Independence has been called “the nation’s birth certificate” and, as our manifesto of liberty, has warranted many fine studies; this is another. Fifty-six short biographies tell the stories behind the document. Each biography starts with a lively lead sure to lure readers into each story. It’s a volume fun to browse, encouraging dipping in at will and looking for interesting anecdotes. Who was the youngest signer? The oldest? Who signed both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution? Which signer had a niece more famous than he? Which signer do some historians consider the first president of the United States? The choice of font and the scratchboard illustrations lend a feeling of authenticity, as if the text is straight from a colonial newspaper. The volume is nicely organized, with an introduction providing the historical context for the biographies that follow and the afterword tracing the role of the document in subsequent American history. Fradin (Who Was Ben Franklin?, 2002, etc.) reminds readers of two misconceptions about the Declaration: July 2, 1776, was the day independence was voted on and should be the day we celebrate; July 4th was simply the day the document was adopted. Also, contrary to what most Americans think, the document was not signed by most members until later in August, not in a ceremony on July 4th. The volume, quite similar to Fink’s out-of-print The Fifty-Six Who Signed, will be a great resource for students doing research, though the bibliography only contains works for adult readers and not many recent works. This will be a fine match with Freedman’s Give Me Liberty! (2000) (maps, illustrator’s note, index) (Nonfiction. 10+ )
Pub Date: Nov. 1, 2002
ISBN: 0-8027-8849-1
Page Count: 160
Publisher: Walker
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2002
A breezy, bustling bucketful of courageous acts and eye-popping feats.
Why should grown-ups get all the historical, scientific, athletic, cinematic, and artistic glory?
Choosing exemplars from both past and present, Mitchell includes but goes well beyond Alexander the Great, Anne Frank, and like usual suspects to introduce a host of lesser-known luminaries. These include Shapur II, who was formally crowned king of Persia before he was born, Indian dancer/professional architect Sheila Sri Prakash, transgender spokesperson Jazz Jennings, inventor Param Jaggi, and an international host of other teen or preteen activists and prodigies. The individual portraits range from one paragraph to several pages in length, and they are interspersed with group tributes to, for instance, the Nazi-resisting “Swingkinder,” the striking New York City newsboys, and the marchers of the Birmingham Children’s Crusade. Mitchell even offers would-be villains a role model in Elagabalus, “boy emperor of Rome,” though she notes that he, at least, came to an awful end: “Then, then! They dumped his remains in the Tiber River, to be nommed by fish for all eternity.” The entries are arranged in no evident order, and though the backmatter includes multiple booklists, a personality quiz, a glossary, and even a quick Braille primer (with Braille jokes to decode), there is no index. Still, for readers whose fires need lighting, there’s motivational kindling on nearly every page.
A breezy, bustling bucketful of courageous acts and eye-popping feats. (finished illustrations not seen) (Collective biography. 10-13)Pub Date: May 10, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-14-751813-2
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Puffin
Review Posted Online: Nov. 10, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2015
Full of laughter and sentiment, this is a nudge for readers to dare to try new things.
A 1989 summer trip to Europe changes Caldecott Medal winner Santat’s life in this graphic memoir.
Young Dan hasn’t experienced much beyond the small Southern California town he grew up in. He stays out of trouble, helps his parents, and tries to go unnoticed in middle school. That plan gets thwarted when he is made to recite poetry at a school assembly and is humiliated by his peers. When eighth grade is over and his parents send him on a three-week study abroad program, Dan isn’t excited at first. He’s traveling with girls from school whom he has awkward relationships with, his camera breaks, and he feels completely out of place. But with the help of some new friends, a crush, and an encouraging teacher, Dan begins to appreciate and enjoy the journey. Through experiences like his first taste of Fanta, first time hearing French rap, and first time getting lost on his own in a foreign country in the middle of the night, he finally begins to feel comfortable just being himself and embracing the unexpected. This entertaining graphic memoir is a relatable story of self-discovery. Flashbacks to awkward memories are presented in tones of blue that contrast with the full-color artwork through which Santat creates the perfect balance of humor and poignancy. The author’s note and photos offer readers more fun glimpses into his pivotal adventure.
Full of laughter and sentiment, this is a nudge for readers to dare to try new things. (Graphic memoir. 10-14)Pub Date: Feb. 28, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-250-85104-8
Page Count: 320
Publisher: First Second
Review Posted Online: Nov. 28, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2022
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