He saved the words that built America! Emmy Award–winning journalist Anna Crowley Redding and Sibert Honor illustrator Edwin Fotheringham bring to life the riveting true story about the lowly clerk who saved the Declaration of Independence from being destroyed by the British army in the War of 1812. 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.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
These are the words that helped found our nation. Today the Declaration of Independence is one of the United States’ most heavily guarded treasures, but during the War of 1812 it would have been destroyed if not for one man whose story has nearly been forgotten by time. Come along on this historic adventure and learn how one ordinary clerk did a truly extraordinary thing.
As a clerk for the State Department, Stephen Pleasonton spent his days quietly immersed in paperwork. He never expected to receive an urgent message telling him that the British army was on its way to the capital. And that the documents that Stephen was entrusted with—such as the original Declaration of Independence and the original Constitution—were all in danger!
It fell on Stephen to get our nation’s most cherished and priceless artifacts safely out of Washington!
In the name of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, Stephen had to save it!
Today, the Declaration of Independence is one of the most heavily guarded treasures of the United States of America, but during the War of 1812 it would have been destroyed if not for a man whose name and story have nearly been forgotten by time. . . .
Stephen Pleasonton knew paper. He spent his days reading and writing letters, organizing files, and recording the recordables. However, none of that prepared him for the urgent message he received from his boss alerting him that the British army was on its way to the capital. The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and numerous other documents that Stephen was entrusted with were all in danger! It was up to him to get our nation’s most cherished and priceless artifacts safely out of Washington. But how would a lowly clerk manage that?
Award-winning journalist Anna Crowley Redding and Sibert Honor illustrator Edwin Fotheringham bring to life this riveting true story about how Stephen Pleasonton saved the words that built America.
“This rollicking tale gives a nice sense of the time period. It also emphasizes how the actions of a less-than-famous but determined individual can have great effect and demonstrates that each person's role in history—even one that focuses on packing up government files and papers—is important. Budding historians as well as those unfamiliar with history will both enjoy this pleasant, fast-moving selection.”