Travels of a different kind are the subject of The Journey of the One and Only Declaration of Independence by Judith St. George, illustrated by Will Hillenbrand. This imaginative, informational book follows the travels of the original Declaration of Independence. With vivid, lively prose, we follow the rather bumpy road this historical document has taken since it was signed in 1776 in Philadelphia. Wow, St. George writes in a conversational, question-and-answer format. The official, one-and-only Declaration of Independence was set forever in Philadelphia’s handsome brick Pennsylvania State House on Chestnut Street. Right? Wrong! And just when readers will be sure the Declaration has been set permanently under glass for the world to admire, another chapter in this fascinating history unfolds. Adults as well as children will find themselves learning from this story by the author of So You Want to Be President? For instance, did you know that during World War II the Declaration spent time at Fort Knox, Kentucky, in Gold Bullion Compartment Number 24, or that it spent 17 years in the library of the State, War and Navy Building in a room with an open fireplace where cigar smoking was allowed? Accompanied by Hillenbrand’s lively illustrations, this is a witty and fascinating story about a document that, as the author says, has had a true and forever home right from the start . . . in the heart of the American people. Deborah Hopkinson’s newest book for children is Who Was Charles Darwin? She lives in Corvallis, Oregon, where the beach is just an hour away.
Valiant Women is a vital and engrossing attempt to correct the record and rightfully celebrate the achievements of female veterans of World War II.
