Thomas Jefferson's Writing Desk: What an Artifact Can Tell Us About the Declaration of Independence

by John Micklos Jr.

Overview

With the Declaration of Independence, the 13 colonies in America declared their independence from Great Britain. Virginian Thomas Jefferson, later the third president of the United States, was chosen to write it. But did he write every word? Did anyone help him? What are the differences between his first draft and the document signed by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776? Readers will discover the answers to these questions and find out more about the desk Jefferson designed and at which he wrote this important document.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781496696861
Publisher:	Capstone
Publication date:	01/08/2021
Series:	Smithsonian Artifacts from the American Past
Pages:	48
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)
Lexile:	730L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

About the Author

John Micklos, Jr. has written more than 50 children’s books spanning a wide range of ages and genres. His work includes picture books, poetry books, and numerous nonfiction books. Popular titles include One Leaf, Two Leaves, Count with Me! (Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Books, 2017), which was chosen for inclusion in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program for multiple years.
John’s other top-selling books include 125 True Stories of Amazing Pets (contributor) and 125 Cute Animals (contributor), both published by National Geographic Kids. He also has written dozens of biographies, history books, and social studies books for educational publishers such as Capstone and Cavendish Square. Biographies include Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Amelia Earhart, Alexander Graham Bell, Abraham Lincoln, Muhammad Ali, Sequoyah, Geronimo, and others. History topics include the Revolutionary War (six-book series), Civil War, Challenger tragedy, Gold Rush, Lewis and Clark Expedition, and many others.
A resident of Newark, Delaware, John enjoys visiting schools (in person or via Zoom) and conducting writing workshops with students of all ages. His presentations and workshops center on writing poetry, nonfiction, and persuasive pieces, as well as the art of research and revision, to name just a few. Learn more about John’s work at www.JohnMicklosWriter.com.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Drafting a Historic Document 4

Chapter 2 A Special Paper, a Special Desk 8

Chapter 3 Setting the Scene for Independence 16

Chapter 4 Declaring Independence 28

Chapter 5 A Long Life for the Writing Desk 38

Chapter 6 Lasting Legacy 42

Explore More 44

Glossary 46

Read More 47

Internet Sites 47

Index 48

Interviews

Presents historical content through key artifacts from the Smithsonian Institution’s collections;

Editorial Reviews

11/01/2021

Gr 4–6—This series offers a unique way to approach historical events that will appeal to history buffs. Things as different as a brass inkstand and a lowly stump serve as reminders of major events when their stories are told. Each title gives the background of the individuals involved and the events, as well as describing the part each object played. Sidebars address related topics such as the way female, Indigenous, and Black persons were affected by events. Text boxes provide additional facts, while archival photos, images, and maps show the key players and places. A section in the back matter offers a list of museums, parks, historical sites, and other sources for further exploration. There are also suggested books and internet sites. VERDICT This series will serve well for research projects and offers a unique way to introduce important events.

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