Let's Find Out! Primary Sources

Few books have had as much of an impact on history as the Gutenberg Bible. Readers will learn how the Bible that Johannes Gutenberg began work on in 1450 resulted in a transformation in the distribution of knowledge and sparked incredible growth in literacy. They'll find out how Gutenberg's printing press worked, how books had to be copied out by hand before its invention, and what already extant tools helped inspire Gutenberg. The Gutenberg Bible's layout and decoration are discussed, while images of the pages from the book itself impress upon readers the importance of consulting primary sources.

This straightforward book introduces young readers to the fundamentals of the Declaration of Independence. The book makes use of primary sources, such as direct quotes and images of original documents, places, and other artifacts from the time period, to make the history come to life. Readers learn about what a primary source is, the events leading up to the writing of the document, and how the Declaration of Independence has led to the founding of the nation we know today. Difficult concepts are explained within the text and sidebars present vocabulary words and interesting facts.

As his second term as president drew to an end in 1796, George Washington bid the country farewell and offered his advice for its future. He did so in an address that was published in a Philadelphia newspaper. This volume introduces young readers to the key themes in the open letter and liberally cites the words of that primary document. It is a great way to introduce elementary-school students to the importance and challenges of going back to an original text. It also offers a window into an immensely influential period of American history and a highly revered figure.

Though the Emancipation Proclamation is widely thought of as having brought an end to the despicable institution of slavery in the United States, the truth is a bit more complicated. The document actually freed slaves only in the lands in rebellion against the United States, so it had little immediate effect. That said, the proclamation did eventually free millions of people, enable African Americans to become Union soldiers, and make ending slavery one of the stated goals of the war. This volume explains how closely examining those sources gives us a better understanding of historical events and figures.

In the year 1215, the way governments and citizens interact was forever changed by the signing of a document known as the Magna Carta. While students are often familiar with the importance of this charter, this title explores the text itself by narrating the history of the charter's development and pairing excerpts of text with straightforward explanations at a lower elementary reading level. Vocabulary boxes highlight advanced terms and provide simple definitions, while Think About It and Compare and Contrast sidebars encourage readers to make connections within the text and beyond.

The culmination of the women's suffrage movement in the United States was the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920. Introduce young readers to the fight for equal voting rights and the value of primary sources in the study of history with this age-appropriate resource. The amendment itself is cited in full, while brief passages from other primary sources illuminate the long struggle for the franchise. Historical photos offer yet another opportunity for learning from primary sources. Chapters on women's rights today and the fight for women's suffrage around the world offer a broader context for understanding the subject.

The Bill of Rights is one of the most cited texts in political debates today. Indeed, courts and lawmakers are deeply involved in interpreting and understanding the text of the first ten amendments to the US Constitution, making it perhaps the most important primary source with which readers should be familiar. This vibrantly illustrated lower elementary title helps readers understand the text of the Bill of Rights and its importance to political discourse today. Compare and Contrast boxes help readers compare the rights granted by the different amendments, while Think About It boxes pose critical questions about the importance of the original text.

This accessible book about the US Constitution will fascinate young readers. They will step into colonial America with primary sources, which include quotes, images of original documents and places, and more. They will learn about the origins of the Constitution, the Great Compromise, and the unprecedented concept of the separation of powers and checks and balances within government. They will also learn about the key players in the drafting of this historic document as well. With easy-to-follow spreads, young readers will find this book both informative and entertaining.