The Declaration Decoded
A Guide to the Document that Inspired Our Nation
$25.67
- Hardcover
80 pages
- Release Date
28 July 2026
Summary
“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… .” So begins the Declaration of Independence, the fabled 1776 document in which a group of men in a distant colony of the British Empire declared their freedom from that Empire – and thus changed the world. But WERE “all men created equal”? What are “unalienable rights”? And how did t…
Book Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781523535200 |
|---|---|
| ISBN-10: | 1523535202 |
| Author: | Katie Kennedy |
| Publisher: | Workman Publishing |
| Imprint: | Workman Children's |
| Format: | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages: | 80 |
| Release Date: | 28 July 2026 |
| Weight: | 260g |
| Dimensions: | 12mm x 130mm x 208mm |
| Audience Age: | 10 |
You Can Find This Book In
Critics Review
“With THE DECLARATION DECODED, Katie Kennedy makes the job of understanding this important document quite easy. So the next time we’re cooking hot dogs and watching fireworks explode, we’ll have a much better idea of what we’re celebrating.”–Ben Sheehan, author of WHAT DOES THE CONSTITUTION ACTUALLY SAY? and host of CIVICS MADE EASY on PBS
Traditional history textbook coverage of the American colonies and the struggle for independence tends to lull students to sleep. This engaging account effectively conveys considerable amounts of insightful information about the development of the Declaration of Independence using clear, twenty-first-century language. The content maintains the original complexity of the source text, thought it is enhanced through thoughtful inclusions of straightforward rewording, background context, and quotations. If the colonists wanted support from potential future citizens and foreign allies, “it would be handy to have an announcement of the country’s independence ready.” A detailed sidebar explains the considerable challenges of traveling (getting from Boston to Philadelphia took two weeks and six ferry crossings). A direct quote from John Adams confirms that he could be really annoying: “That I had been so obnoxious for my early and constant Zeal in promoting the Measure … ” There are explanations regarding the arrangement of signatures on the actual document and how the wording affected subsequent declarations in other countries. The comprehensive bibliography rounds out this effective curriculum support for students, parents, and teachers.–Booklist, Booklist Magazine
Katie Kennedy
Katie Kennedy once caught her then-nine-year-old daughter reading the Constitution under the covers with a flashlight. As an American history professor, Katie has never been more proud. She is the author of The Constitution Decoded: A Guide to the Document That Shapes Our Nation and The Presidents Decoded: A Guide to the Leaders Who Shaped Our Nation, as well as Did You Hear What Happened in Salem?, which Booklist called “irresistible” in a starred review. Katie lives in Iowa with her husband and son.
Returns
This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.