Informational Text
Title: Shh, We’re Writing the Constitution
Author: Jean Fritz
Illustrator: Tomie de Paola
Publication Date: 1987
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons
ISBN: 0-399-214030-8
This is the historically accurate story of how the founding fathers wrote the Constitution. However, it contains a lot of funny stories that make it a fun read. Almost like a behind the scenes look of the founding fathers and how they wrote the Constitution. It is more like a story than a dry history text. For example, in describing how the delegates from the different states arrived at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Jean Fritz wrote that the most colorful arrival was Benjamin Franklin. He was 81 years old, and was in too much pain to be bounced around in a carriage. He came to he meetings in a Chinese sedan chair carried by four prisoners from the Philadelphia jail. There is a picture of Benjamin Franklin in the box with poles carried by four men, dressed in smocks with hats. It includes humorous stories about delegates visiting mummies on display in Philadelphia, and that Philadelphia was bombarded by flies that summer. A lot of mention of how hot it was that summer in Philadelphia. Eventually the delegates have a compromise they could all accept. Once the Constitution was written it was sent out to all the states and argued about. The delegates agreed while the Constitution was not perfect, it was the best thing they could all come up with. Some people around the country were concerned there were not enough rights in the constitution, so the Bill of Rights was added. Ms. Fritz at the end of the book includes notes that explain in more detail the historical facts, and she includes a copy of the actual Constitution of the United States. She also includes a list of delegates who signed it. \
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars, it is a fun history lesson. I was impressed with her historical accuracy, because I took a course on the American Revolution this fall and I know she included a lot of important information. She adds these tidbits of information and details which make it very engaging. The pictures by Tomie de Paola really liven up the history. The reader feels what it was like to be there for the birth of the Constitution. I would recommend this for late elementary or early middle school students.
This sounds like a very interesting read. I like that it not only talks about the making of the constitution, but many surrounding stories that will get overlooked in history. I think it would be a good read for anyone from 5th grade to middle school because it sounds as though their is a lot of historical facts that go in it, along with a great story of a major historical text.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a really great read for children to become more familiar with the constitution. I like how you said that it has some humor and is not a dry history book, that in itself makes it easier for kids to engage in it. It sounds like a book for history students in elementary and middle school who can understand the events of the book.
ReplyDeleteThis is a cute book. I think this is a good read for kid, as the constitution can be confusing.
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