The Declaration Decoded: A Guide to the Document That Inspired Our Nation by Katie Kennedy

What worked:

The author breaks down the Declaration of Independence step by step and explains the meaning behind its different parts. The explanations are highlighted in red for easy identification. It briefly goes into the events leading up to its creation, and the colonists’ rising frustration and anger with the King of England. There are anecdotes about historical figures and events relevant to the grievances; some will be familiar, while others will not. Communication between England and the colonists was troublesome because messages took weeks to cross the Atlantic, and some were lost along the way.

The decoding makes the declarations easy to understand, and they’re followed by rationales and connections to real events. The author examines the grievances with an impartial stance and doesn’t hesitate to point out Thomas Jefferson’s flair for propaganda. Most of the grievances are directed at the king, even when the king didn’t have control over them. Other grievances sound greater than they might have been, or they may not have been concerns for all of the colonists. However, the Declaration of Independence showed that the thirteen colonies were united in rejecting the king’s rule. He was not looking out for their best interests, and England did not think the colonists’ rights were equal to those of citizens living in Europe.

What didn’t work as well:

While the book presents interesting, factual information, the tone may not resonate with middle-grade readers. It’s non-fiction, so the readers may have trouble connecting with unfamiliar personalities and straightforward descriptions of events that happened hundreds of years ago.

The final verdict:

The synopsis indicates this book is for readers interested in civics or American history, so it’s not for a general audience. However, readers interested in the evolution of the United States or the Declaration of Independence will find this book enlightening. I recommend you try it for yourself.