Picture Book Review: Let Liberty Rise: How America's Schoolchildren Helped Save the Statue of Liberty by Chana Stiefel

Image: Scholastic Inc.

Let Liberty Rise: How America's Schoolchildren Helped Save the Statue of Liberty by Chana Stiefel. Illustrated by Chuck Groenink. unpgd. Scholastic Press/ Scholastic Inc., 9781338225884. (Review of finished copy courtesy of Blue Slip Media.)

Have you ever received a gift that you didn't want or know what to do with? The people of France built an enormous statue, named Liberty as a gift to the people of the United States for the centennial of the country's founding. Weighing as much as 40 elephants, the statue was dismantled and packed in 214 crates for her journey to America. Such a heavy statue would need a strong pedestal as a base, which Americans needed to build. Such a construction was very expensive and the pedestal was only half built when the statue arrived. Worse yet, there was no money left to complete it.

When fundraising efforts among millionaires failed, Joseph Pulitzer, owner of a newspaper, but an immigrant himself, appealed to everyone, including children, to donate what they could. In return, he promised to print the name of every single donor in his newspapers. The very next day, money started pouring in and $2000 was raised by the end of the first week!

The story is both informative and fascinating. The accessible text filled with interesting trivia and necessary context, such as what $100,000 in the 1800s means in today's dollars ($2.6 million). The jaunty illustrations add much to the text, including humor and a nod to Georges Seurat. The palette veers toward muted pastels. 

The back matter is a young researcher's dream. It includes a timeline, more facts about the statue, a bibliography, which includes books for younger readers and websites, followed by a two-page spread of photos from the time. 

This first-purchase will have many uses in the language arts classroom as well as social studies class for a large range of ages. Expect rich discussion on a variety of topics.

Fact Friday and Review: Her Right Foot by Dave Eggers

Her Right Foot by Dave Eggers. Illustrated by Shawn Harris. 104 p. Chronicle Books, LLC, September, 2017. 9781452162812. (Review from purchased copy.)

This went on the morning announcements: Our Fact Friday feature is a great example of why one is never too old for picture books. In Her Right Foot, author Dave Eggers breaks the fourth wall to address the reader. He relates plenty of fascinating facts from its conception to its building, unbuilding and rebuilding. He also challenges the reader to contemplate the relevance of her symbolism in these contentious times. You think you know all there is to know about the Statue of Liberty. Read this book to find out.

Review: The very best teachers are great storytellers. This is especially true for social studies teachers. Dave Eggers would be a great social studies teacher because he tells a terrific story - factual, fascinating and fun. I hate to admit this, but my knowledge of the Statue of Liberty is cursory at best. I accompanied the eighth grade on two trips to visit the statue. One trip, the day was blustery and rainy so we basically got off the ferry and walked to the plaza to view the statue before catching the next ferry out. The next time, the weather was gorgeous and we walked the circumference of the island to view the statue from all angles. That was a few years ago. I can't say that I noticed her right foot.

The  social studies teacher takes his students to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty as part of his immigration unit. I'm sure he does a great job of prepping the kids. The LA teachers even get involved by reading Hope and Tears: Ellis Island voices by Gwenyth Swain. Her Right Foot would be a perfect addition to both classes.

As I mentioned in the morning announcement, Eggers breaks the fourth wall to address the reader. Some find this meta-fiction annoying. If used sparingly, I don't. I find it effective and engaging. The use of white space is interesting too, as it focuses the reader whatever the age. Shawn Harris must have been a very busy man as there are tons of illustrations here. The energetic and pleasing cut-paper and ink illustrations feature a variety of perspectives and a diverse cast of characters.

Backmatter includes photographs, of the statue and her right foot as well as the plaque that contains Emma Lazarus' poem, The New Colossus. There's a long list of suggestions for further reading and six sources. 

Her Right Foot belongs in every school and public library collection.