A Declaration of Independent Reading at Your Yorktown Public Library

This 4th of July, we will celebrate the Semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of the United States, marking 250 years since the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.  Start a revolution of reading with the following materials at your Yorktown Public Library.

IN THE CHILDRENS COLLECTION

Independence Day by Ann Heinrichs

Fireworks, parades, and picnics are just a few of the ways Americans commemorate their freedom every July. Colorful photos and engaging text tell the story of our struggle for independence from Great Britain. Young readers are sure to love the kid-friendly activities and recipes that offer new ways to bring the Fourth of July to life!

Benedict Arnold by Susan R. Gregson

Follows the rise and fall of Benedict Arnold, America's most famous traitor, tracing his life from his wealthy, upper-class childhood to his betrayal of the American Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Explains Arnold's legacy in modern society.

Who Was Betsy Ross by James Buckley

Born the eighth of seventeen children in Philadelphia, Betsy Ross lived in a time when the American colonies were yearning for independence from British rule. Ross worked as a seamstress and was eager to contribute to the cause, making tents and repairing uniforms when the colonies declared war. By 1779 she was filling cartridges for the Continental Army. Did she sew the first flag? That's up for debate, but "Who Was Betsy Ross?" tells the story of a fierce patriot who certainly helped create the flag of a new nation.

What Do You Want to Know about the American Revolution by Lynn George

Kids are curious by nature. They love to ask questions and find out the answers. This book feeds into that natural inquisitiveness and discusses the American Revolution in a way that young readers can relate to. You can feel confident that they are learning key information about this war that gave America its start, and readers will feel the thrill of history coming to life--perhaps for the first time!

I Survived the American Revolution, 1776 by Lauren Tarshis

Bestselling author Lauren Tarshis tackles the American Revolution in this latest installment of the groundbreaking, New York Times bestselling I Survived series.  British soldiers were everywhere. There was no escape.  Nathaniel Fox never imagined he'd find himself in the middle of a blood-soaked battlefield, fighting for his life. He was only eleven years old! He'd barely paid attention to the troubles between America and England. How could he, while being worked to the bone by his cruel uncle, Uriah Storch? But when his uncle's rage forces him to flee the only home he knows, Nate is suddenly propelled toward a thrilling and dangerous journey into the heart of the Revolutionary War. He finds himself in New York City on the brink of what will be the biggest battle yet.

Alexander Hamilton: From Orphan to Founding Father by Monica Kulling

Did you know that one of our Founding Fathers was not born in America? An orphan from the West Indies, Alexander Hamilton came to the colonies and played an important role in the Revolutionary War, rising to become General George Washington's right-hand man. But his accomplishments don't stop there! He helped obtain the ratification of the Constitution; he was America's first secretary of the treasury; and he established the first national bank and the U.S. Mint. A man of ambition, loyalty, and principle, he is now being celebrated as the prominent patriot he was.

BONUS: This material is also available as an eBook.

Founding Mothers: Remembering the Ladies by Cokie Roberts

#1 New York Times bestselling author and celebrated journalist Cokie Roberts brings young readers a stunning nonfiction picture book that highlights the female patriots of the American Revolution. This nonfiction picture book is an excellent choice to share during homeschooling, in particular for children ages 4 to 6. It's a fun way to learn to read and as a supplement for activity books for children.  Beautifully illustrated by Caldecott Honor-winning artist Diane Goode, Founding Mothers: Remembering the Ladies reveals the incredible accomplishments of the women who orchestrated the American Revolution behind the scenes.  Roberts traces the stories of heroic, patriotic women such as Abigail Adams, Martha Washington, Phillis Wheatley, Mercy Otis Warren, Sarah Livingston Jay, and others. Details are gleaned from their letters, private journals, lists, and ledgers. The bravery of these women's courageous acts contributed to the founding of America.

BONUS: This material is also available as an eBook.

How to Draw Independence Day Things by Rob Court

Basic shapes such as triangles, rectangles, and circles combine to show young readers how to draw various types of Independence Day items in four simple steps.

IN THE ADULT COLLECTION

Founding Mothers: The Women Who Raised Our Nation by Cokie Roberts

This book is an intimate and illuminating look at the fervently patriotic and passionate women whose tireless pursuits on behalf of their families -- and their country -- proved just as crucial to the forging of a new nation as the rebellion that established it.  While much has been written about the men who signed the Declaration of Independence, battled the British, and framed the Constitution, the wives, mothers, sisters, and daughters they left behind have been little noticed by history. Roberts brings us the women who fought the Revolution as valiantly as the men, often defending their very doorsteps. While the men went off to war or to Congress, the women managed their businesses, raised their children, provided them with political advice, and made it possible for the men to do what they did. The behind-the-scenes influence of these women -- and their sometimes very public activities -- was intelligent and pervasive.  Drawing upon personal correspondence, private journals, and even favored recipes, Roberts reveals the often-surprising stories of these fascinating women, bringing to life the everyday trials and extraordinary triumphs of individuals like Abigail Adams, Mercy Otis Warren, Deborah Read Franklin, Eliza Pinckney, Catherine Littlefield Green, Esther DeBerdt Reed, and Martha Washington -- proving that without our exemplary women, the new country might never have survived.

BONUS: This material is available as both an eBook and an audio book.

The American Revolution: An Intimate History by Geoffrey C. Ward

In defeating the British Empire and giving birth to a new nation, the American Revolution turned the world upside down. Thirteen colonies on the Atlantic coast rose in rebellion, won their independence, and established a new form of government that radically reshaped the continent and inspired independence movements and democratic reforms around the globe.  The American Revolution was at once a war for independence, a civil war, and a world war, fought by neighbors on American farms and between global powers an ocean or more away. Ward ably steers us through the international forces at play, telling the story not from the top down but from the bottom up--and through the eyes of not only our "Founding Fathers" but also those of ordinary soldiers, as well as underrepresented populations such as women, African Americans, Native Americans, and American Loyalists, asking who exactly was entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

ON THE LIBBY APP

A Kids’ Guide to the American Revolution (eBook) by Kathleen Krull

Packed with anecdotes, sidebars, quotes, and illustrations, this book brings vividly to life the birth of our nation. Introduce young readers to the stakes, challenges, setbacks, and victories involved in the single most important event in our nation's history. Find out what events led the Founding Fathers to take our young nation to war with Great Britain and how the Declaration of Independence, the document that continues to shape our civil rights, came to be.  Explore why did the colonists want independence from Great Britain, what brought on the Boston Tea Party, how did the Declaration of Independence initially impact women and slaves.

Kate and the Spies: The American Revolution (eBook) JoAnn A. Grote

Time Period: 1775 When Kate Milton and her cousin happen across the Boston Tea Party, they unwittingly step into the midst of the American Revolution. The eleven-year-old girl finds herself pulled deeper into the conflict by members of her own family-by those who support the Patriot's revolutionary cause and those who believe the colonies should submit to the King in England. When her cousin begins to spy for the Patriots, what should she do? Kate and the Spies uses actual historical events to tell a compelling fictional story-of a girl who must determine the right course of action in a confused and difficult time.

The 4th of July, A Holiday in Verse (audio book) by Ralph Waldo Emerson and other poets

On 29th November 1775 Thomas Jefferson said "Believe me, dear Sir, there is not, in the British Empire, a man who more cordially loves a union with Great Britain than I do. But, by the God that made me, I will cease to exist, before I yield to such a connection on such terms as the British Parliament propose, and in this I think I speak the sentiments of America.”   The proclamation of independence set human history on a new path. "We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal. That they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights that amongst these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Here our poets reflect on why this day is so proudly celebrated each and every year.

4th of July Hooray (eBook) by Harriet Ziefert

It's a 4th of July parade! Kids will happily join the celebration as marching feet keep the beat, big brass bands pass the stands, and decorated floats roll along.

Our Flag (eBook) by Carl Memling

The youngest readers will enjoy this concise, informative history of the American flag with beautiful illustrations of colonial life, Betsy Ross, George Washington, and Fort McHenry. Included are illustrated instructions on flag etiquette, as well as the Pledge of Allegiance.

IN THE DVD COLLECTION

Founding Fathers

They were the most legendary and respected politicians, statesmen and warriors of history's first republic since the days of ancient Rome. They were also traitors and smugglers, rabble rousers and hot-heads, unfaithful husbands and prodigious drinkers. Our "Founding Fathers" were, in fact, human beings. Gain a fascinating glimpse behind the images on the marble busts and faces on our dollar bills and pocket change.

The American Revolution: A Film by Ken Burns

The American Revolution was at once a war for independence, a war of conquest, a civil war, and a world war, fought by neighbors on American farms and between global powers an ocean or more away. It impacted millions from Vermont's Green Mountains to the swamps of South Carolina, from Indian Country to the Iberian Peninsula. In defeating the British Empire and giving birth to a new nation, the American Revolution turned the world upside-down. Thirteen colonies on the Atlantic Coast united in rebellion, won their independence, and established a republic that still endures. The American Revolution, our six-part, twelve-hour series on America's founding struggle, will present the story of the men and women of the Revolutionary generation, their humanity in victory and defeat, and the crisis that they lived through. By weaving together accounts of American political leaders and their British counterparts with the perspectives of the so-called ordinary people who waged and witnessed war, The American Revolution will be an expansive, evenhanded look at the virtues and the contradictions in the fight for independence and the birth of the United States.

Turn: Washington’s Spies, The TV Series

Turn: Washington's Spies is an AMC historical drama (2014–2017) based on Alexander Rose's book about the Culper Ring, a group of childhood friends from Long Island—led by farmer Abe Woodhull—who become spies for George Washington. Set between 1776 and 1781, it follows them navigating British-occupied territory to turn the tide of the American Revolutionary War.

The 4th of July represents both freedom: the power to shape your life according to your own values without infringing on the rights of others and liberty:  the power to act, speak, and live as you choose without arbitrary interference, while respecting the equal rights of others.

Read on for materials that shine a light on the journey many have taken to secure freedom and liberty for all.

IN THE CHILDREN’S COLLECTION

The Civil Rights Movement by Rose Venable

The Civil Rights Movement was a time of drastic change in America. From the end of Reconstruction, when blacks were denied their rights in the South, through the Montgomery bus boycott and Dr. Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream' speech, to the election of the first black president of the United States, witness the events that forever changed the way we look at race.

The Little Rock Nine and the Fight for Equal Education by Gary Jeffrey

The story of a group of African American students known as the Little Rock Nine is a saga of incredible courage and grace. Following the 1954 Supreme Court ruling that struck down school segregation, black leaders turned their attention to the next challenge: getting African American students into white schools. In Little Rock, Arkansas, a small group of African American students were selected to integrate the high school. This taut, thrilling graphic novel plunges readers into the cauldron of hate, bigotry, and fear the students faced. Powerful illustrations grip readers, and accessible text presents the emotionally charged events in readily understandable language.

Sojourner Truth: Equal Rights Advocate by Kathleen Collins

Sojourner Truth began her life as a slave in upstate New York. She obtained her freedom, and moved to New York City, where she became an evangelist and reformer, who worked diligently to further the rights of woman and the abolition of slavery. As a speaker, she was known for her quick wit, and--at 6 feet tall--her powerful presence. A prophetic voice, she would anticipate the many social changes to come and lead the way for the modern civil rights movement. Primary source materials help provide insight into the life of this inspirational woman.

Lucretia Mott: Abolitionist & Women's Rights Leader by Katie Marsico

A brief biography of nineteenth-century abolitionist and women's rights activist that chronicles her life, faith, and fight for equality for all African-Americans and women.

IN THE ADULT COLLECTION

Tomorrow Will Be Different:  Love, Loss and the Fight for Trans Equality by Sarah McBride

Sarah is on a mission to fight for transgender rights around the world. But before she was a prominent activist, and before she became the first transgender person to speak at the Democratic National Convention in 2016, she was a teenager struggling with her identity.  With emotional depth and unparalleled honesty, Sarah shares her personal struggle with gender identity, coming out to her supportive but distraught parents, and finding her way as a woman. She inspires readers with her barrier-breaking political journey that took her, in just four years, from a frightened, closeted college student to one of the nation's most prominent transgender activists walking the halls of the White House, passing laws, and addressing the country in the midst of a heated presidential election. She also details the heartbreaking romance with her first love and future husband Andy, a trans man and activist, who passed away from cancer in 2014 just days after they were married.  Sarah's story of identity, love, and tragic loss serves as a powerful entry point for readers who want to gain a deeper understanding of gender identity and what it means to be openly transgender. From issues like bathroom access to healthcare, identification and schools, Sarah weaves the important political milestones, cultural and political debates, and historical context into a personal journey that will open hearts and change minds.  The book highlights Sarah’s work as an activist and the key issues at the forefront of the fight for trans equality, providing a call-to-arms and empowering look at the road ahead. The fight for equality and freedom has only just begun.

BONUS: This material is also available as an audio book.

ON THE LIBBY APP

The Women’s Rights Movement (eBook) by Eric Braun

Women have come a long way since the first women's rights convention took place in Seneca Falls, New York, in 1848--but women's rights activists are still working to expand rights today. What are the main concerns of women's rights activists today? And what challenges have women faced in the 1800s, 1900s, and 2000s in their fight for equality? Find out how Susan B. Anthony, Betty Friedan, and other groundbreaking activists paved the way for the women's rights movement today. And learn how activists are working with groups that speak out for the rights of racial minorities and members of the LGBTQ+ community to expand rights for all.

Stonewall:  Breaking Out in the Fight for Gay Rights (audio book) by Ann Bausum

Bausum's riveting exploration of the Stonewall Riots and the national Gay Rights movement that followed is eye-opening, unflinching, and inspiring.   In 1969 being gay in the United States was a criminal offense. It meant living a closeted life or surviving on the fringes of society. People went to jail, lost jobs, and were disowned by their families for being gay. Most doctors considered homosexuality a mental illness. There were few safe havens. The Stonewall Inn, a Mafia-run, filthy, overpriced bar in New York City's Greenwich Village, was one of them.  Police raids on gay bars happened regularly in this era. But one hot June night, when cops pounded on the door of the Stonewall, almost nothing went as planned. Tensions were high. The crowd refused to go away. Anger and frustration boiled over. The raid became a riot.  The riot became a catalyst.  The catalyst triggered an explosive demand for gay rights.

BONUS:  This material is also available as an eBook.

A Fundamental Freedom: Why Republicans, Conservatives, and Libertarians Should Support Gay Rights (eBook) by David Lampo

It is an axiom of modern American politics that many Republicans and most conservatives are not only anti-gay but that they have capitulated to an anti-gay agenda formulated and pursued by the religious right for the past several decades. Lampo makes the case that support for gay rights will provide long-term political benefits for the GOP and the conservative movement. He argues that an anti-gay agenda succinctly exposes the hypocrisy of those who talk of limited government and individual rights but ignore both when it comes to gay rights and other personal freedom issues. Indeed, it is the defenders of gay rights within Republican ranks who are keeping faith with core conservative principles. He also presents a variety of polling data that show that rank-and-file Republicans, including many Tea Party supporters, are far more supportive of gay rights than commonly presumed. Lampo's call to embrace gay rights is sure to be hotly debated within the conservative movement.

 Ordinary Equality:  The Fearless Woman and Queer People Who Shaped the U.S. Constitution and the Equal Rights Amendment (eBook) by Kate Kelly

We are all living through modern constitutional history in the making, and Ordinary Equality helps teach about the past, present, and future of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) through the lives of the bold, fearless women and queer people who have helped shape the U.S. Constitution.  Ordinary Equality digs into the fascinating and little-known history of the ERA and the lives of the incredible--and often overlooked--women and queer people who have helped shape the U.S. Constitution for more than 200 years. Based on author Kate Kelly's acclaimed podcast of the same name, Ordinary Equality recounts a story that is centuries in the making. From before the Constitution was even drafted to the modern day, she examines how and why constitutional equality for women and Americans of all marginalized genders has been systematically undermined for the past 100-plus years, and then calls us all to join the current movement to put it back on the table and get it across the finish line.  Kate Kelly provides a much-needed fresh perspective on the ERA for feminists of all ages, and this engaging, illustrated look at history, law, and activism is sure to inspire many to continue the fight.  Read the stories of Abigail Adams, Phillis Wheatley, Matilda Joslyn Gage, Alice Paul Takemoto Mink, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and many more.

BONUS: This material is available as an eBook.

Disability and Equality Law (eBook) by Elizabeth F. Emens

This interdisciplinary collection of essays addresses the theoretical, practical and legal dimensions of equality for persons with disabilities. The issues covered include the central problem of defining disability and impairment; the dilemma of same versus different treatment; the balance between autonomy and external influence and support; linkages to other anti-discrimination categories such as race and sex; the place of disability theory within identity politics; and issues of life, death, and our most intimate relationships. The articles reflect a wealth of international viewpoints and interdisciplinary areas which include philosophy, economics, memoirs, cultural studies, empirical studies and legal scholarship. The selection also includes classic texts which set out foundational ideas such as the social model of disability or the goal of integration, alongside essays that critique these conceptual mainstays. This volume brings into sharp focus a wide range of contentious and complex issues in the field of disability studies and is of interest to researchers and students from a wide range of fields.

As you jockey for the perfect vantage point to gaze upward as the sky spills over with sparkling color, take a moment to celebrate what freedoms we enjoy and contemplate the freedoms we are still seeking. 

Start a revolution of reading at your Yorktown Public Library.  Let freedom ring!