Author/Illustrator: Megan McDonald/Marsha Gray Carrington
Plot Summary: Paralleling real world events during the Revolutionary War, "The Great Bell" or the "State House Bell" was secretly moved by John Jacob Mickley and his father. They traveled by horse and wagon from the State House(now known as Independence Hall) in Philadelphia to hide it in the floorboards of a church in Allentown until it could be safely returned. The bell eventually became known as the Liberty Bell.
Comments: A cute story based on a mixture of fact and fiction. The events surrounded the Revolutionary War are accurate but the particulars of the journey have become part of folklore passed down through time.
Extensions:
1. The Liberty Bell: A Symbol for "We the People." Teacher guide with lesson plans developed through the National Park Service and Independence National Historical Park. Click here for details.
2. Fourth grade students research the Liberty Bell to obtain factual information. After reading the book aloud, students discuss or write about the book relative to fact versus fiction.
3. Additional lesson plans from the National Park Service. Click here.
Themes/keywords: Mickley, Johnny, Liberty Bell, Philadelphia, PA, American Revolution
Age/Reading Level: K-3; ATOS - 4.0; Follett - 1.9; Lexile - 820
Standards:
SS4H4 The student will explain the causes, events, and results of the American Revolution.
ELA4R1 The student demonstrates comprehension and shows evidence of a
warranted and responsible explanation of a variety of literary and informational
texts.
ELA4W3 The student uses research and technology to support writing.
Publisher's Info: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, New York. 2005
ISBN-13: 978-0-689-85167-4
ISBN-10: 0-689-85167-7
Awards/Review Sources:
School Library Journal 07/01/05 | Publishers Weekly 06/06/05 |
| Booklist 07/01/05 | Horn Book 10/01/05 |
| Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books 07/01/05 |
Genre/Dewey: 974.8
Websites:
Notes for Booktalk:
Vocabulary: musket, humble, liberty, Redcoats
Comments