Lady Liberty: A Biography

Rappaport, Doreen, and Matt Tavares.
Lady Liberty: a biography. Cambridge,
Mass.: Candlewick Press, 2008.

By Doreen Rappaport

Copyright:  2008

Publisher:  Candlewick Press

Reading Level:

• Lexile:  760L

• Grade level:  6

Genre:  Historical nonfiction

Description:  History of Statue of Liberty, Hard work, Construction, Carrying out a dream

Suggested Delivery:  Read-aloud book

Summary:  Rappaport's book describes the creation of the Statue of Liberty, from the initial construction plans to the final monumental statue that stands as a national representation of our freedom today.  The book specifically talks about the all of the different individuals that helped build the Statue of Liberty, with their specific stories and details of their diverse backgrounds.

Electronic Resources:

• The Statue of Liberty Foundation :  includes the history of this monument, statue pictures, fun facts, and information about visiting Liberty Island.

• The Statue of Liberty National Monument main website:  provides information about scheduling a trip to the monument, activities for kids, as well as curriculum materials for teachers who are teaching their class about the Statue of Liberty.

Key Vocabulary:  riveted, wretched, refuse, tempest, astride, militias, wend, colossus, coppersmith, architectural engineer

Teaching suggestions:

• Book can be used as an introduction to a unit on America developing its freedom and the creation of The Declaration of Independence, or before a field trip that the students may take to the Statue of Liberty in sixth grade.

• Have the students analyze a poem about the Statue of Liberty after reading this book, known as "The New Colossus" by Emma Lazarus. 

Comprehension Strategies:

• Before Reading:  
• Since this book includes a vast vocabulary with words that may be unknown to many sixth grade students, the teacher can provide them with a graphic organizer worksheet with a list of these unfamiliar words.  The students can use dictionaries to look up the definitions of each word and the teacher can review these words with them once they are finished. They will be instructed to reference to this sheet when they come across words that they do not know the meanings of.
• Have the students brainstorm a list of jobs that are required to build a large structure or building.  Explain to the students that they will be learning about the different job titles of people who took part in creating The Statue of Liberty.

• During Reading:  
• Distribute a timeline graphic organizer to the class and instruct them to write down the series of events that happened in order beginning with the American Revolution and ending with the creation of The Statue of Liberty, which the book clearly outlines as you read.

• After Reading:  
• Explain to the students that monuments represent important ideas and hold great meaning behind them.  Have students get into small groups and think of a type of monument they would want to create for their town.  The students will specifically explain what this monument would represent, how it would be designed, and where it would be located in the community.  Students can then share and discuss these different monument ideas with the class.

Writing Activity:

Since students spent time analyzing the different jobs that were needed to build The Statue of Liberty, have them choose a specific job they would have done to help create this national monument.  Students will write a few paragraphs explaining what their job might have been and why, referring back to the book for ideas and support.