The Story of the Statue of Liberty

The Story of the Statue of Liberty
Natalie Miller
Childrens Press
Copyright 1965
Pages: 30
Reading Level: 11 and up
Genre: Non-Fiction
Summary:
In 1865 There was a meeting of artisans in France to discuss a gift to the USA. Auguste Bartholdi decided that he wanted a statue of his design to be the gift. Soon there was war and Bartholdi had to fight, but he didn't forget his plan. After the war, he visited his mother, who had to share her home with German soldiers, and was impressed by the respect she was given by the enemy. After his visit, he went to the US and on the boat, he sketched ideas for the statue, but threw them all over board. When they were about to arrive, he saw Bedloe's Island and decided that is where he wanted his statue to go. He ran to his cabin and before they were docked, had the statue of Liberty drawn out. He showed his plans to the president who agreed to come up with the base, if France came up with the statue.  Bartholdi went back to France and the committee who had originally met approved his idea. Bartholdi was asked if the statue could be completed for the 100th anniversery of the US, but the rough model was no where near completion, but he promised to have the arm and torch completed in time. Miss Liberty's head went to the Paris World Fair in 1878. Mr. Eiffel's men built a framework so that Miss Liberty wouldn't fall over in the wind. The statue was finished in 1884, but the base wasn't due to conflict over funding. Joseph Pulitzer published in the World that Lady Liberty was for all America, and he got other newspapers to run the same article turning the public view and gaining the needed funding. The statue of liberty was packaged in 214 crates and shipped to the US in 1884. It wasn't finished and dedicated until 1886 when Bartholdi unveiled it too soon, cutting off Mr. Evart's speech. Today, it stands as a symbol of freedom for the whole world.
Recommendations and Conflicts:
I would recommend this book to fifth graders because it would be a challenge for fourth graders. I don't see any possible conflicts in this book.Reaction:
This book had a good story and was simplified so that younger students would be able to understand it, but it is still too complicated for young children. I thought it was interesting that the book only five colors: had black, white, green, gold, and blue.