Let Liberty Rise!: How America’s Schoolchildren Helped Save the Statue of Liberty Hardcover – Picture Book, March 2, 2021

I loved learning all about how the Statue of Liberty came to be and that it took people across America coming together and problem-solving to make it happen. My favorite image in the book is the one unique vertical spread showing Lady Liberty in all her glory. A wonderful reminder that we can accomplish any task (big or small) when we unite and work together! Also love the plethora of back matter for children (and adults) to learn more!

I enjoyed the story and message of Lady Liberty's arrival. The book also includes a timeline, list of resources, and mini-facts. Can be used as a story or a reference source for a report about Lady Liberty.

An incredible true story of how schoolchildren across the U.S. contributed to funding the pedestal for the Statute of Liberty. Young readers will be inspired to see what kids their own age were able to accomplish! I loved the timeless feel of the illustrations and informative back matter.

Let Liberty Rise! How America’s Schoolchildren Helped Save the Statue of Liberty is an inspiring story for children from 6 to 106! We live in an age where history is being cancelled. I have strong opinions about that. Just because something happened in the past doesn’t mean it didn’t happen! Hopefully many of those things wouldn’t happen today, but “cancelling” them doesn’t erase them. We learn from history (or we used to at least). Hopefully no one ever decides that the Statue of Liberty should be cancelled….let’s hope common sense begins to reign again before that happens.Hopefully you’re old enough to have been taught about the history of the Statue of Liberty, but if you haven’t, here’s a little background. Lady Liberty was a gift from France. The French helped the USA gain our independence, and this was a gift to us in celebration of our freedom. At the time, the French had yet to be afforded the liberties those in the United States had. It was an amazing, generous gift paid for by French citizens. However, in order to erect the Statue of Liberty, the USA needed to provide a platform large enough to hold the weight. And that’s where this story begins!I was very moved by this story. Since America’s millionaires didn’t want to help pay for the platform, Joseph Pulitzer called on the “common” people to contribute to the cause. And whether they donated a penny or a dollar, those who donated would have his or her name printed in his newspaper. We know where the story goes because we can see Lady Liberty standing in New York harbor today! Though we may not have much, we can bet that we have more than most…and even a little bit can make a difference. We can see it in this story.Let Liberty Rise! is beautifully illustrated with illustrations that help bring the story to life. As with many children’s nonfiction books, this book has lots of extra information included in the back. I can’t recommend this book enough. It is just what your kids need to hear. I’m proud to be an American and grateful for the liberties I have. Let’s never take them for granted.

Fascinating and inspiring tale of how the American people came together to crowd-fund one of America's biggest icons, the Statue of Liberty.I LOVED this book! LET LIBERRTY RISE: How America's Schoolchildren Helped Save the Statue of Liberty (Scholastic, March 2 2021) by Chana Stiefel (with warm, tender illustrations by Chuck Groenink) is an equally gorgeous, inspiring tale rooted in history and goodwill. I seriously cannot love this book any more.This book is a gem. The writing is smart and thoughtful, with obvious research and attention-to-detail, as are the illustrations. I learned so much about the American icon in this children's book than I think I've learned about it through the course of my life. Seriously. I knew it was a gift from the people of France, but I didn't realize it came to America in so many pieces (350, to be exact), that it weighed more than 40 elephants, and that the pedestal was to be created by the people of America.At first, Americans were disappointed and angry. The French wanted to provide a gift, but Americans had to pony up nearly $2.6 million bucks (in today's worth) for a pedestal. That's no gift!But! Joseph Pulitzer, a newspaper man--and immigrant himself--had a delightful and smart idea: let the American public chip in and 'own' the pedestal. He said everyone who contributed *anything* at all toward the fund, whether a penny or nickel or dollars, he would publish their names in the paper. People did. Farmers and schoolchildren, office boys, mothers and fathers, rich, and poor, they all did. There was no class distinction, no race differences, nothing. You just had to send in money and your name would be printed.I read this book to my two daughters--who are way too old to be the intended audience (which I would guess is ages 5-9)--and they loved it. I got goosebumps and a little teary-eyed.LET LIBERTY RISE is a charming and deeply moving book. I loved every moment of it. Great for all libraries, history classrooms, more.L.Lindsay|Always with a Book