“A Republic, If You Can Keep It,” Said Benjamin Franklin
January is a time of new beginnings in more ways than one. It’s the first day of the new year, of course, and it’s also the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, the action that sparked the American Revolution.
This January launches the 250th anniversary of the United States, which was founded on remarkable humanistic values inspired by the Ancient Greeks, the Iroquois Confederacy, and the English Bill of Rights:
- The belief that all people are created equal and possess unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
- The idea that individual liberty is essential for a fulfilling life.
- The conviction that power should reside with the people rather than a king or queen.
The colonists who fought and died for these principles paved the way for our democratic republic, which has been stress-tested over the years by civil war, economic hardship, and global unrest, as well as domestic struggles over what America should be. Those struggles are never easy, but they help us understand the present and chart our future.
To help your family understand the birth and growing pains of the United States, consider reading and discussing some of these well-reviewed resources:
Nonfiction
Borderlands and the Mexican American Story by David Dorado Romo
This and other books in the Race to the Truth Series take a deep dive into the history behind the history.
This graphic novel explains the meaning of the U.S. Constitution and examines its guarantees and the problems it presents.
The author examines the Statue of Liberty’s foot as a way to investigate the values behind the statue.
We Are Still Here! Native American Truths Everyone Should Know by Traci Sorrell
Examines the experience of Native Nations and their citizens since the treaties with the U.S. government ended in 1871.
Voices of Gettysburg by Sherry Garland
Presents the Civil War Battle of Gettysburg and its aftermath through the eyes of soldiers, from generals to privates, as well as various civilians. Includes historical notes.
A tribute to the contributions of Asian Americans throughout the course of American history.
Historical Fiction
I Survived the Dust Bowl by Lauren Tarsish
An eleven-year-old boy who risks his life to save his family and friends during the worst dust storm of all, an event that would become known as "Black Sunday."
The Mighty Miss Malone by Christopher Paul
The story of one family’s tough times in Gary Indiana and Flint, Michigan, during the Great Depression.
Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park
In Dakota Territory in the 1880s, half-Chinese Hanna and her white father face racism and resistance to change as they try to make a home for themselves.
Rebellion 1776 by Laurie Halse Anderson
A personal take on the American Revolution by telling the story of a girl who is living through it.
Picture Books
Equality’s Call: The Story of Voting Rights in America by Deborah Diesen
This sophisticated picture book tells the story of the slow expansion of voting rights in U.S. history. Rhyming text tells story while prose back matter adds context, including relevant amendments, legislation and voting rights activists.
Grandfather's Journey by Allen Say
A classic reflection on the immigrant’s journey.
This Is the Rope: A Story from the Great Migration by Jacqueline Woodson
A rope passed down through the generations frames an African American family's story as they journey north during the time of the Great Migration.