Lady Liberty: A Biography by Doreen Rappaport; Matt Tavares, ill. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press, 2008. ISBN: 978-0-7636-2530-6

The story of the creation of the Statue of Liberty is conveyed in blank verse through the perspective of many different people who were involved in the process. 

Media: watercolor, ink, and pencil 

Rating: 5Q/2P 

Literary device utilized: personification 

Example: “Liberty walks.  Freedom never stands still.” 

Curricular connection: U.S. History, middle school level 

About the illustrations: 

Matt Tavares’ illustrations feature rich, beautiful, realistic depictions of the various people and places that are described throughout this book.  Perhaps most effective is his use of perspective to give the viewer a sense that he or she is actually living in the scene that is presented.  The paintings are like snapshots in time, but are so lifelike that they give the impression of continuous movement, functioning as launch-pads for the imagination.  Light and color are used to set the mood of each scene and to reflect the emotions of the characters therein.  For example, the painting of poet Emma Lazarus, who is sitting in a room attending a gala auction that is being held in order to raise money for the pedestal upon which the Statue of Liberty will stand.  The room behind her is bathed in yellow hues, filled with men and women drinking, smiling, and engaging in conversation.  Emma herself, however, is lost in deep thought, staring blankly out the window as she remembers the suffering that her fellow Jews have suffered in Russia over the past few years.  The scene outside the window is blanketed in shades of black, grey, and blue, and a woman is shown huddling with her two small children on the side of the road, no doubt representing those immigrants who fled their homelands in order to seek out a better life for themselves and their families in America.  

* TOP TEN PICK

submitted July 2009 by Josh Mitchell

Lady Liberty: A Biography by Doreen Rappaport and Matt Tavares ill. Cambridge, Massachusetts, Candlewick Press, 2008.

ISBN: 978-0-7636-2530-6

Annotation: The book tells how a 4 inch clay sculpture became the 151 foot  copper statue we know as the Statue of Liberty. It tells the story by way of mini-biographies of the people involved in her creation. Included at the end of the book is a list of dimensions, important events, selected resources and websites for further research. 

Media: watercolor, ink and pencil

Curricular Connections: 5-8th grades:US History, Statue of Liberty, Immigration

Rating: 5Q/5P

RAC 7.28.09

Lady Liberty:  A biography by Doreen Rappaport and Matt Tavares, ill.  Cambridge, MA:  Candlewick Press,

     2008.  ISBN 978-0-7636-2530-6

Told in the words of those who cared the most, this book chronicles the building of the Statue of Liberty.  Including the perspective of the designer, builders, promoters, the poet and those seeking freedom, the reader will come to appreciate this inspiration monument.

Illustrations:  Watercolor, ink and pencil

Theme:  Statue of Liberty

Curricular Connection:  Students of all ages can learn from this book.  Timeline and monument dimensions are included, as well as a resource list.

5Q/4P

ggolden 7/9/09

Lady Liberty: A biography, by Doreen Rappaport and Matt Tavares, ill. Massachusetts: Candlewick, 2008.

ISBN: 978-0763625306

Annotation: Tells the story of the construction of the Statue of Liberty using multiple points-of-view, from the designer and sculptor to the construction overseer and the newly-arrived immigrant.

Illustrations: watercolor

Curricular Use: 6^th-9^th grade; History/Social Studies

4Q/4P