The American Revolution: Experience the Battle for Independence

Marc Notes: With 20 projects--Cover.; Includes bibliographic references (page 120) and index.; Shows readers how rebel soldiers fought in horrific conditions while their families faced their own hardships for the sake of freedom. Students examine wartime propaganda to discover the truth about events leading up to the war, and engage in vibrant debate, strategic planning, and literary deconstruction to understand the official documents upon which America is founded. Table of Contents: Introduction: The Birth of a NationChapter 1: Blood on the CommonsChapter 2: The Roots of RebellionChapter 3: A Harbor Full of TeaChapter 4: A Declaration is MadeChapter 5: The Grim Tides of WarChapter 6: Everyday Life During WarChapter 7: Victory at LastChapter 8: The Perils and Promises of PeaceGlossaryResourcesIndexReview Quotes: From other titles in the Build It series: Praise for "Micronations: Invent Your Own Country and Culture with 25 Projects"Seth Dixon, Ph. D., Assistant Professor, Rhode Island College"A delightful resource to help students understand all the inner workings of a country. This hands-on, creative approach will capture imaginations and is destined to make geography come alive for countless children."His Excellency President Kevin Baugh, Republic of Molossia." . . a great book, very entertaining and informative. It's a fun read and a great resource for anyone, young and old, who would like to start their own micronation--and I should know, I've been running my own micronation for 36 years!"Praise for "Cities: Discover How They Work with 25 Projects""Booklist""Propounding the emerging interdisciplinary paradigm of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and design, and mathematics), this hands-on informational book discusses how cities' complex structures and systems function together in an interdependent way. . . Basics of civil engineering are introduced and potential future problems of city life are explored. Through appealing illustrations, reader-friendly text, and fun, hands-on experiments suitable for home and classroom, Reilly helps foster an appreciation for the way that cities function almost as organisms with vibrant systems and interdependent structures."Biographical Note: Judy Dodge Cummings has taught American history for 25 years. She has a BA in Broadfield Social Studies and a MFA in Creative Writing for Children and Teens. She is the author of numerous articles as well as "The Civil War; Pope John Paul: Religious Leader and Humanitarian"; and "Exploring Polar Regions." Judy lives in Reedsburg, Wisconsin. Tom Casteel is an illustrator and cartoonist with a master's degree from the Center for Cartoon Studies. Tom has illustrated several books for Nomad Press, including "Natural Disasters: Investigate Earth's Most Destructive Forces with 25 Projects; Cities: Discover How They Work with 25 Projects; Explorers of the New World: Discover the Golden Age of Exploration with 22 Projects"; and "Maya: Amazing Inventions You Can Build Yourself with 25 Projects." Tom lives in South Bend, Indiana. Jacket Description/Back: How--and why--did a passionate collection of under-equipped American rebels go to war and win against the powerful British army? Kids love stories about underdogs, and the American Revolution is among the most famous of these tales. Desperate to be considered an independent country free from the unfair tax laws of the monarchy across the ocean, the rebel colonists relied on their cunning wit, their enthusiastic volunteerism, and their visionary leadership to win an impossible war. And then they faced the real hardship--creating a country out of the victorious but chaotic society they were left with. Using engaging text, hands-on activities, and links to primary sources, The American Revolution: Experience the Battle for Independence shows readers how rebel soldiers fought in horrific conditions while their families back home faced their own hardships for the sake of freedom. Students examine wartime propaganda to discover the truth about events leading up to the war, and engage in vibrant debate, strategic planning, and literary deconstruction to understand the official documents upon which America is founded. Building a marshmallow cannon, baking real colonial food, and sewing a ditty bag are some of the projects that engage readers' design skills while essential questions require readers to activate their critical thinking skills to discover the truth about the most important moment in American history. Review Quotes: From other titles in the Build It series: Praise for "Micronations: Invent Your Own Country and Culture with 25 Projects" Seth Dixon, Ph. D., Assistant Professor, Rhode Island College"A delightful resource to help students understand all the inner workings of a country. This hands-on, creative approach will capture imaginations and is destined to make geography come alive for countless children." His Excellency President Kevin Baugh, Republic of Molossia." . . a great book, very entertaining and informative. It's a fun read and a great resource for anyone, young and old, who would like to start their own micronation--and I should know, I've been running my own micronation for 36 years!" Praise for "Cities: Discover How They Work with 25 Projects" "Booklist""Propounding the emerging interdisciplinary paradigm of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and design, and mathematics), this hands-on informational book discusses how cities' complex structures and systems function together in an interdependent way. . . Basics of civil engineering are introduced and potential future problems of city life are explored. Through appealing illustrations, reader-friendly text, and fun, hands-on experiments suitable for home and classroom, Reilly helps foster an appreciation for the way that cities function almost as organisms with vibrant systems and interdependent structures."Review Quotes: Praise for "The American Revolution: Experience the Battle for Independence""School Library Journal""Featuring a lively page design, this volume asks readers a series of questions to prompt them to consider the American Revolution. . . Along with the standard textual information, pages are filled with sidebars, vocabulary words, and definitions, and QR codes that provide access to primary sources. VERDICT A useful resource; purchase as needed." Jamie Kallio, author and youth services librarian, Chicago, Illinois"A fresh look at a defining moment in American history. With its bright and colorful pages, active language, and interesting sidebars, "The American Revolution" asks pertinent questions and suggests hands-on activities to encourage young readers." Jodi Baker, elementary teacher, adjunct professor, and educational consultant"This interactive book will captivate the imaginations of young readers." Claire Rudolf Murphy, author"As a writer of nonfiction for young readers, I know how important it is to make history engaging and entertaining. Cummings' book pulls it off on all fronts." Volunteers, American Independence Museum, Exeter, New Hampshire"All of the docents and educators here at the Museum believe this book breaks down the important history of our country's founding in an innovative way. The hands-on projects make history tangible, and exciting to our children." From other titles in the Build It series: Praise for "Micronations: Invent Your Own Country and Culture with 25 Projects" Seth Dixon, Ph. D., Assistant Professor, Rhode Island College"A delightful resource to help students understand all the inner workings of a country. This hands-on, creative approach will capture imaginations and is destined to make geography come alive for countless children." His Excellency President Kevin Baugh, Republic of Molossia." . . a great book, very entertaining and informative. It's a fun read and a great resource for anyone, young and old, who would like to start their own micronation--and I should know, I've been running my own micronation for 36 years!" Praise for "Cities: Discover How They Work with 25 Projects" "Booklist""Propounding the emerging interdisciplinary paradigm of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and design, and mathematics), this hands-on informational book discusses how cities' complex structures and systems function together in an interdependent way. . . Basics of civil engineering are introduced and potential future problems of city life are explored. Through appealing illustrations, reader-friendly text, and fun, hands-on experiments suitable for home and classroom, Reilly helps foster an appreciation for the way that cities function almost as organisms with vibrant systems and interdependent structures."Publisher Marketing: Kids love stories about underdogs, and the American Revolution is among the most famous of these tales. Desperate to be an independent country free from Britain, the rebel colonists relied on their cunning wit and visionary leadership to win an impossible war. And then they faced the real hardship--creating a country out of a victorious but chaotic society. Using engaging text, hands-on activities, and links to primary sources, "The American Revolution: Experience the Battle for Independence" shows readers how rebel soldiers fought in horrific conditions while their families faced their own hardships for the sake of freedom. Students examine wartime propaganda to discover the truth about events leading up to the war, and engage in vibrant debate, strategic planning, and literary deconstruction to understand the official documents upon which America is founded. Building a marshmallow cannon and creating real colonial food are some of the projects that engage readers' design skills. Essential questions require readers to activate their critical thinking skills to discover the truth about the most important moment in American history. "The American Revolution" meets Common Core State Standards for literacy in history and social studies; Guided Reading Levels and Lexile measurements indicate grade level and text complexity. Review Citations: Publishers Weekly 12/15/2014 (EAN 9781619302556, Hardcover) School Library Journal 04/01/2015 pg. 177 (EAN 9781619302556, Hardcover) Publishers Weekly 12/15/2014 pg. 68 (EAN 9781619302464, Paperback) School Library Journal 04/01/2015 pg. 177 (EAN 9781619302464, Paperback)