Title: Saving the Liberty Bell
Author: Megan McDonald
Major Themes: Liberty Bell, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Picture Books, American Revolution
Synopsis: What could 11-year-old John Jacob Mickley and his father do to help the Revolutionary cause when they were in Philadelphia as the British approached?
I am really enjoying being able to find picture books that tell real stories from history, to read to my children as we study American history! Saving the Liberty Bell was one of our recent finds. We all enjoyed the story—and especially the pictures. It was also nice to have another perspective to the story, since we read a little about this incident a few months ago in Distant Thunder, which told the story of the wagon breaking down in the town of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
When he arrived home with his father, 11-year-old John Jacob Mickley had quite a story to tell his younger brothers and sisters. You see, they had taken provisions to sell in Philadelphia—and found the British army on the move. What could they do to help the colonial cause? Soon, they knew what they could do—help keep the Liberty Bell safe!
The great bell was loaded onto the Mickley wagon, and for several days they hauled it away from Philadelphia. What a disappointment when the wagon broke down in the middle of Bethlehem. John Jacob so badly wanted to see it reach its final destination! You’ll like the surprise ending to the story.
This story is told in a very humorous way, and the pictures really go along with it well. We chuckled at the buildings leaning towards each other and the expressions on the faces of the people and the horses. This is quite a delightful picture book!
No warnings!
Age levels:
Listening Level—Ages 3 – 4, 5 – 8
Reading Independently—Ages 7 – 9
Links to buy this book:
Amazon: Hardcover
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com
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